It’s Time for US Soccer to Perform

Jurgen Klinsmann's system is slowly setting in, but the fans deserve to see better.

It is time to see some results from Jurgen Klinsmann. Four months under the US Men’s National Team new head coach has had its ups and downs in order to develop in the German’s system. Although there have been brief flashes of greatness from some of Jurgen’s sides, most matches are full of missed opportunities and frustrating mistakes. Since Klinsmann took over in late July, the Yanks have only scored two goals in five friendly matches–not quite the high-pace offense Klinsmann expects out his team. Yet through the ugly and frustrating, Klinsmann has shown a unworldly patience with his team, remaining calm and confident in his system’s success. For the fans it’s a tad more challenging to emulate the head boss’ attitude, especially with the expectations and hype coming with the signing of the coach.

The next week will be second trip overseas for the USMNT and potentially their toughest match-up yet coming this Friday. The recently rejuvenated French National Team will host the United States for a crowd of 60,000 plus in the historic Stade de France; which will be the largest stage Klinsmann has coached to date  for the red, white, and blue. They will conclude their European friendly tour versus Slovenia on Tuesday, who they haven’t played since the 2010 World Cup group stage.

Will we see a more explosive and professional game this week from the Yanks? Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m expecting the team to play with much more energy versus a world renown French team. I can understand the time it takes to develop a system, and that it is a process finding the right players to make the system successful, but the fans deserve more. It’s time to see some energy and growth in the American players under Jurgen’s command, and there is no better opportunity to show up versus France this Friday. American soccer fans are eager to embrace new young talent and a new type of soccer, but they can only be patient for so long. It is time to see the learning curve, it is time to see the speed and goals, it is time to see us once again embarrass a European power. It is time Jurgen–Americans need to see what this exciting new era is all about.

 ***See an in-depth preview of US vs France on this weeks version of “The Weekend”