MEXICO CITY—The question came softly from a press corps member, barnacled onto another question and done so in such a manner that the U.S. head coach could have brushed it aside if he wanted to.

He didn't want to.

Klinsmann, not as chirpy and jovial as he usually is, wanted to talk about Brian Straus' article in the Sporting News—the article that quoted multiple anonymous sources who trashed the coach and his tactics. Here's what Klinsmann had to say.

"Rumors here, rumors there," Klinsmann began. "I think I answered them before the Costa Rica game. I think it’s just normal that people just try to bring their own story into things. Maybe even inventing things based on fake stories from the past."

The "fake stories from the past" was likely a reference to Philipp Lahm's damaging comments made about Klinsmann in a book the German defender authored.

"But I’m not here to discuss those things. I’m here, hopefully, to make these guys better. To help them reach the next level. I’m not here to pamper anybody. If you want to break into one of the best 10-12 nations in the world, I have to challenge them and maybe some players are not always happy with that."

"There were rumors that came out from anonymous sources. I can invent anything I want about you or about anybody in this room," Klinsmann said, referencing the assembled media.

"It doesn’t bother me. It’s part of this whole business. I’ve been in this business more than 30 years now. It’s just part of it. You go on."

Thoughts, U.S. fans? Is it time to move on? Do you like this new Klinsmann—the one who shows a bit of a temper?