re: MUST READ: Brian Straus on the USMNT's Many Issues Under Klinsmann

Wtf, espn should've just put up a link to Straus' article. Essentially it's just a shite load of his quotes and then a snippet about JKs playing days, which is probably in the Bri-man's article somewhere

Yeah my mistake, I planned on adding the Danny Williams disclaimer at the bottom but looks like I forgot. I read through 2-3 interviews of his in my quest for his pre-usmnt American travel history and he definitely talks about his dad in over half his answers haha they seem to have a really great relationship.
I also discovered in these interviews that he played RB, CB and LB for Freiburg so really I'm just waiting for JK to trot him out at LB vs Spain in the WC. 'anybody can play LB' -Jurgen Klinsmann

So didn't get your take on this earlier: how do you feel about Randy saying kids born to serviceman fathers and foreign mothers in a foreign country should not be able to play for the USMNT? and im assuming that means he also does not consider them citizens

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So didn't get you're take on this earlier: how do you feel about Randy saying kids born to serviceman fathers and foreign mothers in a foreign country should not be able to play for the USMNT? and im assuming that means he also does not consider them citizens

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yea its pretty racist/xeno

Serious question, how long did it take you to scope out an acceptable barber shop? Every single hair place I saw over there looked goofy as hell. My shite was way too long but no way was I letting them touch it haha the shops/salons were decorated in the most trendy euro queer cuts you've ever seen.

Yeah it was kind of disappointing to hear all the players talk about not having a connection with Germany. Apart from Jones none of them have spent significant time in America, so essentially they grew up with multiple identity issues: being mixed race and never really feeling accepted in the culture.

It kind of sucks that the sources are anonymous bc I want to know if these are team leaders saying all of this or is it some goon who felt he got shafted on a call up? I thought it was odd how some players really seemed to resent the Germans while multiple other players said JK has actually been more willing to reward and recruit MLS talent than Bradley and Bruce. I tend to agree that he does give MLS guys ample credit. I mean who the fricking hell is Alan Gordon, Tony Beltran or Justin Morrow?? We have plenty of issues, but I don't think JK's lack of scouting has anything to do with it. I actually think he works very hard at this aspect and despite his whimsical decisions at times I think he really does care and wants to do a good job. I just don't think he's capable of really being that great of a manager.

It's odd that Jogi is credited as being his tactical genius, but lately Loew has taken A LOT of flack for fricking up formations and not getting the right personnel. He seems to have run his course with many Germans. On top of this he hasn't actually won anything JK didn't win, granted Spain wasn't as formidable an opponent, but still. I don't hold either one in that high of regard as a head coach. I think that JK had a very good coaching staff and maybe Loew was the tactical genius, but he's definitely lost his touch.
The buck ultimately stops at JK since he is responsible, but I think his dope smoking buddy from Chivas is a pretty important reason why we are having so many issues. Dude has proven like 3 times now that he is a bad coach. Like I said, JK hired him so he brought that on himself, but I really think he could be doing a lot more with someone else. Even the players who had not nice things to say about him all said he is a great motivator and makes you feel like you're capable of doing more. Which is weird bc you wouldn't think a team playing with additional confidence would under achieve, but I guess that's not so relevant when they aren't sure what they are supposed to be doing.

Strange considering the cultures aren't THAT different. It's not all that great of an empirical example, but speaking for myself, I had no problems interacting with the Germans. Granted I was 19 and had already established my personal identity as well as I was just a friendly tourist, not an 'outsider' living amongst them.


Also it's kind of irritating that some of these sources seemed to have this pent up aggression, while everyone talks about how willing JK is to listen to players, coaches, etc. He's very upfront with them and honest, doesn't mean I or anyone else has to agree with his evals, but as a fan I can respect that and as a player I would respect that even more. We all know he's not intimidating, just fricking approach him. And maybe they have, but the way JK responded and the way they worded their criticism really seems like they never got in touch with him to discuss their frustrations.
I think he should be gone after the WC but that actually has nothin to do with anything he's done, I just feel like international managers need to be changed every cycle or so. Even things under 'tactical mastermind' Jogi Loew have gone stale of late.

I don't particularly think Jurgy is the answer, but it's been a perfect storm of things exacerbating his weaknesses. The crop of talent in the generation after Dempsey/Donovan/Cherundolo/Boca has proven to be largely disappointing outside of Bradley. Injuries, both personal and spiritual, haven't given us the chance to field something close to our best available XI. As a result, I agree with everyone who has questioned Jurgy's tactics considering these issues. I feel like with a bit more good luck health and development wise, Jurgy could have easily led us to the WC where we would've probably been punched out immediately, but he would've had a few more years at the helm to develop long term projects that will help our team. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he'll last much longer and who knows how that will impact the long term plans in place.

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I know you hate JK, but what MLS talent would you have called up in lieu of foreign league players? I know some obvi's are probably Hall, Kennedy, and Pontius, but other than that I'm not too familiar with under utilized MLS talent. Sincere question though. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's being condescending sometimes, but I never claim to be an expert and do enjoy reading some posters opinions

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I don't have a specific issue or case with the players he's called in... I was just pointing out that it's a misnomer that he's "widely expanding the player pool", when it's not really any different.

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cwil177

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