Klinsmann Interview Talks Training Methods, Formations, and Roster Moves
By Doug Smith
The folks at ESPN Insider scored an exclusive interview with coach Jurgen Klinsmann as the team awaits the final two group stage matches in World Cup qualifying. Klinsmann should name his next roster on October 8th as the team heads to training prior to the pivotal October matches. Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley should be available after injuries. We have highlighted some of the points of the interview below, but you can check out the full edition during an Insider free preview with the link above.
Klinsmann believes that the team in CONCACAF are getting better thus making the qualifying
Jan 20, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann watches during practice at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE
run tougher than 2008. He still wishes they would have taken one point in Jamaica as that would have changed the current landscape of group qualifying with three teams in the group tied in points. He summed up the effort in Kingston as not implementing the game plan and lack of adjustments. One-on-one battles were not won and free kicks were given. He also felt the players that came in having just reach terms on contracts, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, and Maurice Edu, were having difficulty getting up to fitness. The answer makes it feel like the coach knows he could have done some things differently as well.
The coach was asked to address the lack of scoring and its impact on the tiebreaker of goal differential. He did not pinpoint any one player that needed to contribute, but spoke highly of Herculez Gomez. He did state that he thinks Jozy Altidore knows he can do a lot better and the team must force the issue at times. Klinsmann feels the Dutch game is much more wide open than the international game.
Klinsmann says he has five solid options in the defensive midfield so he has been playing three and also that Danny Williams is a true number 6. He hints at using the 4-4-2 leaving only two spots for those players while noting that Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley can play a holding or an offensive role.
The coach also mentions that this might not be the time to call in new players to the roster, but they will need to build two rosters in 2013 opening up a spot for players like Eric Lichaj or Josh Gatt. Also, it looks like Stuart HOlden may be back to training next month. Regardless, the coach is looking to empower any and all players he brings into the system.
"We simply want to empower them. We try to give them tools to do that, to get an extra 5 to 10 percent out of them. It’s a holistic approach: We’re trying to make them understand that they are responsible for everything. You are the one that decides if you’re going to have a glass of wine or if you’d rather drink water. You decide how you live your life, if your Twitter messages are appropriate or not. I can tell them that Jamaica will battle and foul and be physical, but I can’t go on the field. I tell them every time we get together that [2014] is their World Cup. I’ve played in mine."
The words make sense for a coach that wants to build a program from the bottom up. He is telling them that it is their game, he and the USSF are just providing the foundation. Regardless, one may get the feel that he knows he needs to press the issue in the coming matches and utilize a 4-1-3-2 as was seen in Columbus. Klinsmann says the right things to make his players feel in control and those that grasp the system can shine. Still the coach has to make the right moves for 2014 to truly be “their [the players] World Cup.”