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U.S. Soccer
Boys to Men: Klinsmann to Juggle 70 Players in March
In the next week or so, three teams of American soccer players will travel to Europe to train, practice, and compete in friendlies. Jurgen Klinsmann provided a few clues about his approach to this busy time.
IN WHAT IS SHAPING UP to be an unprecedented March international window for U.S. Soccer, three different men's national teams will be heading to Europe for assorted camps and friendlies.
Upwards of 70 players will participate for the U.S. national team, the U-23 Olympic team, and/or the U-20 team during this window. U.S. Soccer announced today that all three rosters would be revealed this weekend.
For the senior side, the two friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland will be the team’s first games on official FIFA dates since last November’s disappointing 4-1 loss to Ireland. In an interview with U.S. Soccer, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann offered some insights into his thinking as he prepares to juggle this sizable contingent of players.
“We are going to bring in a very strong roster into Denmark and Switzerland,” Klinsmann said. “It’s a bit tricky obviously because MLS has just started and it’s early in the season, so those players don’t have a rhythm yet. Meanwhile, the European-based players are in a full rhythm and the Mexican-based players are in a full rhythm, so we will bring what we believe will be the strongest roster into these two friendlies.
"It will be an interesting mix. We are there to learn, to play against very good opponents, but also to get results.”
Klinsmann singled out John Brooks and Timothy Chandler for their ability to secure consistent playing time in the Bundesliga this year while at the same time lamenting the injuries that befell German-based players Joe Gyau, Bobby Wood, and Terrence Boyd.
In the Netherlands, Klinsmann also expressed excitement that Aron Johannsson has recovered from a series of injuries that have plagued him since the World Cup. Klinsmann saidthat he, along with the rest of the team and staff, “are looking forward to having him back in our group.”
During the January camp, Klinsmann experimented with Brek Shea at left back and hinted that it could be a permanent move.
“Brek Shea has the potential to become a very, very strong left back,” the coach said. “He’s obviously a guy that always wants to go forward. He can score goals. He can create goals. If he learns the defending side of the game—being very physical, very focused, being connected to his center back, and holding a line, getting all the tactical elements for what it takes to be a good defender—it adds that card into his portfolio.
"The coach from Orlando can choose where to play him, we can choose where to play him, it’s just great to see. We started that process in the January camp and Orlando took it over.”
In addition to praising how Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, and Mix Diskerud began their 2015 MLS seasons, Klinsmann addressed the difficult topic of how the three different national teams will be juggled.
There are numerous players who are available for several different national teams. Some of the full national team players—such as Brooks, Julian Green, and DeAndre Yedlin—are age-eligible for the U-23 team. A few of the national team players, including Rubio Rubin, are even eligible for the U-20 team that will be performing in the World Cup beginning in May. Then, of course, many of the U-20 players are eligible for, and likely to take part in, Olympic qualifying in October.
Klinsmann acknowledged there was some tricky maneuvering involved, but he also maintained perspective.
“At the end of the day, the priority is always the senior team,” Klinsmann said. “But at the same time it’s great for us coaches to see everybody competing for his spot and his future opportunities.
“For the youngsters to look toward the U-20 World Cup is huge,” he continued. “For the U-23s, we have to get them going in order to prepare for the qualifiers later this year toward the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Andi Herzog has his hands full with that group.
"For me and the senior team perspective, I’m looking at all these youngsters and thinking who can come through these periods and develop the fastest possible in order to make himself a strong competitor for the senior group.”
Note: ASN will have writers at the U.S. national team games against Denmark and Switzerland, as well as at the U.S. U-20 camp in London for friendlies against Tottenham U-21s and the England U-20 national team.
During the January camp, Klinsmann experimented with Brek Shea at left back and hinted that it could be a permanent move.
“Brek Shea has the potential to become a very, very strong left back,” the coach said. “He’s obviously a guy that always wants to go forward. He can score goals. He can create goals. If he learns the defending side of the game—being very physical, very focused, being connected to his center back, and holding a line, getting all the tactical elements for what it takes to be a good defender—it adds that card into his portfolio.
"The coach from Orlando can choose where to play him, we can choose where to play him, it’s just great to see. We started that process in the January camp and Orlando took it over.”
In addition to praising how Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, and Mix Diskerud began their 2015 MLS seasons, Klinsmann addressed the difficult topic of how the three different national teams will be juggled.
There are numerous players who are available for several different national teams. Some of the full national team players—such as Brooks, Julian Green, and DeAndre Yedlin—are age-eligible for the U-23 team. A few of the national team players, including Rubio Rubin, are even eligible for the U-20 team that will be performing in the World Cup beginning in May. Then, of course, many of the U-20 players are eligible for, and likely to take part in, Olympic qualifying in October.
Klinsmann acknowledged there was some tricky maneuvering involved, but he also maintained perspective.
“At the end of the day, the priority is always the senior team,” Klinsmann said. “But at the same time it’s great for us coaches to see everybody competing for his spot and his future opportunities.
“For the youngsters to look toward the U-20 World Cup is huge,” he continued. “For the U-23s, we have to get them going in order to prepare for the qualifiers later this year toward the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Andi Herzog has his hands full with that group.
"For me and the senior team perspective, I’m looking at all these youngsters and thinking who can come through these periods and develop the fastest possible in order to make himself a strong competitor for the senior group.”
Note: ASN will have writers at the U.S. national team games against Denmark and Switzerland, as well as at the U.S. U-20 camp in London for friendlies against Tottenham U-21s and the England U-20 national team.
