Uncle Si
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Sgt. Largent":302hzvp6 said:Uncle Si":302hzvp6 said:There needs to be more than fight in the squad. It needs technical ability and tactical awareness. That is what is letting them down. Three very poor goals conceded against Denmark and tonight missing a good 3 relatively easy chances.
This is where the Bradley vs. Klinsmann debate begins and ends.
Bradley knew his squad's technical deficiencies, and tactically managed accordingly to some success. Klinsmann also knows his squad's technical deficiencies, yet is trying hard to fix it.
Which is better? That's a soccer philosophical question that IMO there is no right answer to, because in the end results are the only thing that matters in sports. Doesn't matter how you got there.
I admire Jurgen's effort to try and create a more beautiful brand of technical soccer from the ground up, just not sure he'll see it come to fruition with the USMNT. Creating the foundation for what he wants takes generations.
Jurgen's results, however, are no different than Bradleys. He got them to the same place, really. The major difference is Jurgen is trying to change the approach to soccer in this nation, not just at the Senior level, and this is why I admire him. He has a grand plan on how the sport is instructed from the ground level through the academies and youth level to the National team. This is a replication (with adjustments) to what he went through in Germany.
What US soccer fans need to start embracing is that winning the World Cup is really, really hard. I feel like Jurgen's been placed under a lot of scrutiny for his approach (no BS attitude towards his players), and his results are being picked apart. He's not losing to Cuba or Panama or something.
We may never, ever win a World Cup. Only 7 nations ever have. What I like about Jurgen is he is trying to build an identity that will challenge for that in any cycle. Round of 16, round of 8, possibly final 4. We all expect to be through the group stages each World Cup. That has not changed until Jurgen. I just think he is building more hope that the Round of 8 is something we can achieve as well, with consistency. While programs like Chile, Honduras, Nigeria, Cameroon, Portugal have some Golden generations, its saying something that the US has made it out of the group stages in 4 of the 7 World Cups they have qualified in since 1990. Not many nations have that sort of success.
Jurgen himself may never see the process come to a title. However, the approach to the game has already changed significantly since he took over.