re: These United States of America vs. Our Hat (ESPN2, 8:11 CT)

I think Klinsmann's oft discussed tactical naïveté is beginning to show. I've lost count of the number of times he's completely murdered the formation and Starting XI. He's gotten bailed out in several friendlies with the extended allotment of subs, after some very lackluster performances in the first half of those games.

Typically national team managers use a set formation for their roster. Bob Bradley, aside from a horribly conceived 4-3-3 in Costa Rica, always used a empty bucket 4-4-2. Jogi Löw almost always employs a 4-2-3-1. England typically uses some form of a two striker system. Spain usually uses a variation of a 4-3-3 (be it the tiered 4-6-0 or an offshoot of 4-2-3-1)

Tonight Klinsmann went with a 4-4-2 without any speed on the flanks until Gatt and Bedoya came on. He's gone with the 4-3-3 without any width. He tried the popular 4-2-3-1 that turned into a 4-5-1 without any support for Jozy or Herculez Gomez, the lone forward up top.


As someone tweeted earlier...

quote:

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Only referring to hypocrisy w/ this tweet: when Klinsmann loses, it must be #MLS' fault, but when Bradley lost, it must be his fault. #USMNT

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I like Klinsmann's ideas for US Soccer. However, so far in his actual job as a manager, he's been very average.