Copa America is a positive learning experience, says Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann: Copa was a learning experience

Copa America is A Positive Learning Experience, Says Klinsmann

After the Copa America tournament ended with the American Soccer team securing a fourth place finish, Jurgen Klinsmann thinks his boys did their best. Sunil Gulati, the U.S. Soccer Federation President, is yet to evaluate their performance. According to soccer rankings, the number 31-ranked U.S team succumbed to a 2-nil loss in their first match against third-ranked Colombia, but later recorded wins over Costa Rica, Paraguay and Ecuador to make it to the semifinals in which Argentina thrashed them 4-0. Colombia wrapped up their woes with a 1-0 win over Klinsmann’s team in the third-place match on Saturday.

According to Gulati, their team did not lose a game against any nation ranked outside the top five even though they still need to win over such teams next time. The United States soccer team has featured in the last seven World Cup tournaments and even beat Guatemala to edge them closer to the 2018 World Cup. However, many critics have questioned Klinsmann’s tactics after Jamaica beat them in the semis of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Gulati added that the Federation will discuss all issues internally and assess every situation with respect to Klinsmann’s performance.

After signing for the job in 2011, the ex-German player and coach set a goal of reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals, an achievement the U.S. last experienced in 1930. Belgium eliminated them from achieving the same two years ago in the round of 16. Klinsmann expressed that the senior team performed tremendously in the Copa America tournament even amid some challenges. He supported his sentiments with the fact that they met Colombia twice in the tournament and even though they had a bad game against them initially, they could have won the third place match.

The American Soccer team included some favorite names, such as the central defenders, John Brooks and Geoff Cameron as well as Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin, the right backs. Bobby Wood solidified his position by replacing the injured Jozy Altidore. Klinsmann will definitely include young players, such as the 17-year-old Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe as we approach the Russian-based World Cup. Brad Guzan took over the goalkeeping role instead of the regular 37-year-old Tim Howard, who also solidified his No. 1 position at the preceding two World Cup tournaments. The No. 3 goalkeeper went to the 21-year-old Ethan Horvath, to replace Nick Rimando.

DeAndre Yedlin, here with Leo Messi
Photo: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika

In a deeper perspective, the American soccer team has already realized that they need to pull up their socks to reach the top. According to Howard, other teams have improved to a level that they are not easy to beat because of the resilience they have displayed of late. Klinsmann’s team has their next match on September 2, in which they look forward to win at St. Vincent and The Grenadines to qualify for the CONCACAF championship. Four days later, they will host Trinidad and Tobago at Jacksonville, Florida.

Klinsmann still believes that they played in a very competitive tournament, which offered them lasting lessons for future improvement. This year’s 23-year old trio includes Wood, Yedlin, and Brooks. The players have already stamped their prowess in the national team, while others, such as Emerson Hyndman, Julian Green, Aron Johannson, and Mix Diskerud have stalled. The most improved include, Jordan Morris, Matt Miazga, Kellyn Acosta, and Ventura Alvardo who might be regular starters in due course. However, Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey will not allow them to have a free ride, as both still make a huge difference in the team, Klinsmann said.

Klinsmann praised his players for spending six weeks away from home at 10 areas. As the Major League Soccer resumes, some of the players will return to their clubs, while Europe-based stars only have a couple of weeks to do the same. Klinsmann said the Federation will empower their players to accomplish their career dreams accordingly because reaching the final four of a big tournament like Copa America shows their potential to get to the top. Therefore, the players should feel proud and believe that they have a lot of learning to do in future.