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Soccer US National Team

Jurgen Klinsmann Must Develop Young Players To Achieve His Style of Play

By @SamHader21

Getty Images

Getty Images

The USMNT just received a bashing at the hands of a team that is 20 spots behind them on the FIFA World Rankings, the Republic of Ireland. The team was terrible as the first whistle blew, and it continued until the score read 4-1 and the teams were headed back to the locker room. After their last game of the 2014 campaign, Jurgen Klinsmann has one group to blame for this loss — the defense.

Yes, the offense did not scored a lot of goals, but they managed to salvage some confidence going into halftime after the United States’ defense did something relatively normal, which is concede a goal in the first 10 minutes. From then on, the only real chance they had was when Jozy Altidore hit the crossbar. That said, the defense is surely to blame. The pairing of Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler cannot work under Klinsmann’s desired style of play.

First, there is no chemistry or communication between them. Often the Irish were in behind the line because Besler would step up and Cameron would keep trailing towards his own net. The Irish’s Anthony Pilkington punished them dearly after Cameron was trailing five yards behind Besler, making it easy for Pilkington to slip in behind and finish.

Cameron was caught napping so many times that you begin to wonder why Klinsmann kept him in. It’s a baffling decision that led to more conceded goals, with one even deflecting off of him after lazy defensive play.

Another reason is technical ability. Although the United States had the possession advantage (58:42), it wasn’t built up from the back as Klinsmann so desires due to the fact that they can’t operate under pressure. Watching their touch was like watching a bunch of 10 year olds trying to play a game of small-sided possession, and it was embarrassing from a spectator’s perspective.

Cameron’s dearth of technical ability shined bright in the 27th minute when he couldn’t dribble or clear the ball in his own box, and then gave it up after barely being pressured, which almost led to another Irish goal. Thankfully goalkeeper Bill Hamid saved him, but Cameron consistently gave the ball away in terrible positions for the USMNT.

Klinsmann has been deploying useless centre-backs for his experimental squads over the last few weeks when he has the chance to develop great ones looking forward to the 2018 World Cup. John Brooks, who scored the winning header against Ghana, is a bright prospect who should’ve played, as well as Miguel Ibarra. He should have at least asked Brooks to come along for the ride, but would rather put Jermaine Jones in at centre-back then ask an up-and-comer to showcase his skills.

If Klinsmann wants the team to progress and to achieve his style of play, he must improve the defense by developing the young players and ignoring the “veterans” he puts in their place.

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