By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 10, 2011) US Soccer Players -- As the United States National Team regroups under a new coach and against an old foe, here are five things to look for against Mexico (9pm ET - ESPN2).
Shape Of Things To Come
Though new US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann has discussed at length a multi-level process as the next step for the USA, we're still dealing with a team that has a primary objective to win games. That's the simple mandate for any coach at the professional level, and Klinsmann is no different. The main objective remains results on the field, and tonight is an opportunity to get a quick look at what Klinsmann is thinking. Do we get the all out attack many have predicted? Does Landon Donovan play as a forward? Where does the team transition from attack to defense? All of these questions should get at least partially answered on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.
Defensive Midfield
A hallmark of the Bob Bradley era was deploying two defensive minded midfielders regardless of the level of the opponent. At times, that left the US overcompensating against teams they should've been able to beat through flowing offense. Instead, games tended to get bogged down as the transitioned from defense to offense. Against Mexico, there's every excuse to hedge with two defensive minded midfielders. It will be interesting to see if Klinsmann opts for what's been standard practice or decides it's time for the US to play without the hedge of extra defenders. That means more pressure on the actual defenders as well as the midfielders expected to provide cover.
Playing Positions
Another Bradleyism, pressing players into service by putting them in positions they don't play with their clubs. Landon Donovan is a forward with the LA Galaxy. Michael Bradley is usually an attacking midfielder. Clint Dempsey at Fulham plays a roving attacking position that isn't normally available with the National Team setup. Does Klinsmann structure his setup around players, or does he try to get them to fit his idea for the squad regardless of position? This might not be as clear with a high-profile friendly so soon after Klinsmann was named coach. Still, it's an indicator of a very basic idea. If we see Donovan, Bradley, and eventually Dempsey in their club positions, that's a significant statement by the coach.
Using Mexico
Give Klinsmann credit for playing to the strength of a player pool with options. Calling in the National Teamers playing their club soccer in Mexico's Primera Division to face off against the players and the style they see each week is an obvious move. It's playing to the USA's strength rather than creating a clash of styles that might not benefit the United States. Yes, it was an American playing in Mexico that shouldered a lot of the blame the last time these two teams played. in fairness Jonathan Bornstein was pressed into service and ended up being the target for the Mexican attack. There aren't many US defenders that would've stood up to that kind of pressure. With some distance from the events of June 25th, it was more than Bornstein that let Mexico attack at will. Loading the US squad with as many Primera players as possible makes too much sense not to do it. It's an indicator of Klinsmann's pragmatism.
That's Entertainment
One of the differences between Klinsmann's style of coaching and what we're used to in the States is an attitude that his squad will get a result. That was true for Germany and Bayern Munich even when they were dropping games. What Klinsmann creates is a personality, and a lot of it flows from him. The reason so many commentators were examining Klinsmann as a player after he was announced as the next US National Team coach is because that's where his coaching mentality comes from. He was a battler who would do what it takes to get a result. It was a combination of a gifted ability to see lines toward goal and take advantage. That's not necessarily teachable at full international level, but impressing the swagger that goes with it might be.
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