re: Klinsmann wants us to play... nastier

I think this falls into the big picture he's trying to get everyone to see. The best in the world don't take much of a break. They take a few weeks off and go right back to work. For the American player, it's all working up towards the World Cup it seems. Whether it's moving to get more playing time to keep their spot or whatever else, our players play on a four year cycle, and after it's up, they tend to fall out for a while. They get built up to such a dramatic high that going back to the grind of your club and moving forward is something they put off. The best players in the world have never "made it". Players like Ronaldo, Messi, and hell, even Rooney are never content with what's happened. It's even cause for concern for some of these players. Rooney was clearly exhausted in league play from the past year. Ronaldo's had a million articles about how he risked his career by refusing to sit out and heal up.

I'm not saying our players aren't dedicated or hard working. I just think that they aren't used to being on that stage and competing at that level enough. I believe what he wants is for our players to always be looking to compete at that level. In his mind, the players make it to England or Europe or the World Cup and they think "I've made it." So naturally, that fight and struggle to prove themselves goes away. The World Cup comes around, and that feeling is there for everyone on the team. Afterwards, though, when the world is giving them recognition, they accept it as having made it instead of only wanting to get more and more respect.

I've been up forever so I'm rambling, but my main point is that he wants them to be hungry to win every match like it's a major match. He's been a winner at every level, and he wants that mindset to become something ingrained in our football culture. Watching the match against Ireland, it's like no one really gave a shite. That's what he's talking about.