USMNT Training Camp Ahead

As Jurgen Klinsmann prepares to name his next training camp he spoke with ussoccer.com about the current selection process.  We now sit probably ten days or less from the naming of the team that will play three friendlies and two World Cup qualifiers at the end of May and into June.  He will have some unique decisions stemming from the quality of play of the USMNT U-23 team in Olympic play and returns from injury for international players like Oguchi Onyewu.  You can read a few excerpts below and also catch the rest of the interview here.On scouting players, Klinsmann wants to see them in that time and place regardless of the league they play in.

"Are they leaders? Are they taking over responsibilities? Are they trying to stand out as National Team players? Obviously we look at their physical shape, their technical game, and all their elements to try to see it in the bigger picture. And then when we bring the players into our camp, we know exactly how they fit into our picture. What we’re looking for, really, is a leader.June 12, 2010; Rustenburg, SOUTH AFRICA; USA defenseman Oguchi Onyewu (5) passes the ball away from England forward Emile Heskey (21) during group C play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE"

One may say that is coach speak but it is what needs to be said now and what the U.S. team needs.  The team has scouts planned out weeks in advance with Andy Herzog and Matthias Hamann in Europe and Carlos Juarez and Martin Vasquez circulating between the Mexican leagues and the MLS.  What happens with all the data collected?

"We break it down into different components of their game, their overall fitness and their role within the team they play for. Often their role at the club team is different than with the U.S. National Team. From there we go into their individual performance – how did they look, how often did they take the initiative, how did they put their spin on the game, how did they stand out, what was their body language, what was their behavioral role? We look at their precision in their technical game. How many turnovers did they allow? How often did they win back balls? Obviously it depends on the position. We go into as many details as we can and to follow through over several games, and that gives us a good picture."

There were some easy questions asked of the coach and perhaps even rehearsed, but it is clear the effort in scouting has a focus.

"It’s really about delivering. It’s about getting results, obviously more importantly in the World Cup qualifiers but also the friendlies leading up to those two qualifiers. It’s about the momentum, it’s about performance. In such a stretch, you do not risk bringing in players who are injured. You do not risk bringing in players you think need more time to develop. It’s not an introduction camp for players. It’s not a time period where you try things out. It’s a time period now – in essence very different to all the previous friendlies we’ve had so far – where you want to attack on the field."

Scotland visits Jacksonville on May 26 followed by a friendly in D.C. against Brazil that has sold almost 45,000 tickets.  The final friendly before World Cup qualifying is against Canada in Toronto on June 3.