It's Klinsmann's Turn

Photo courtesy of futegoal.com

The Jurgen Klinsmann era for the United States Men's National Team kicked off Wednesday night under the shining lights of Lincoln Financial Field in the city of "Brotherly Love."  The US squared up against their nemesis, Mexico.

During their last meeting with Mexico in the Gold Cup final, the US looked like they were going to upset the  Mexicans by taking a 2-0 lead in the first 25 minutes of the first half.  However, after that, the Americans looked like a team that were beaten and just out worked with pace.  Mexico scored four straight goals, beating the Americans by a score of 4-2.    

By adding Klinsmann to their coaching staff and firing Bob Bradley, the Americans obviously wanted to search for a new sort of style or swagger to their game plan; a European style, perhaps.  Klinsmann brings an attacking style of play mirroring his days as a premier striker for West Germany.  Defensively, he wants his players to attack every ball, giving the opponents limited time to set up a play, similarly to Barcelona's defensive tactics.

In their friendly match on Wednesday night, the US looked to win back their confidence.  They had to accomplish this against a strong, newly ranked Mexican team.  Some superstars from both teams did not make the trip to Philadelphia.  This included Clint Dempsey as well as Freddy Adu and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez.
                     
                        Photo courtesy of Masona Lam
As a few friends and I walked up the steps to enter Lincoln Financial Field, we heard the cheers and chants of the thousands of supporters that made it on a strangely scheduled Wednesday night game.  Perhaps that was the reason why there weren't as many fans as many anticipated there to be.  An attendance of around 30,000 showed up for the bitter, rivalry game.

The game had finally started.  I was in a section where it was tough to find a single American fan.  You could say I was a loner and very prone to hecklers; even my friends were Mexican fans.  Well so be it, I had to still show my American pride.

In the 17th minute, Mexico's Oribe Peralta scored on a flick from a hard-driven cross into the box.  Mexican fans around me cheered with excitement as I was left sitting there shaking my head.  The United States could not get a single shot off in the first half.  "What a disappointing start it was to the Klinsmann era," I kept repeating to myself.

During halftime, my friends and I went to the concessions to grab a couple of refreshments.  As we did, a group of American and Mexican fans starting jumping around chanting their countries.  Shocked and urged to join the mob, we threw ourselves in and hopped around with the others.  Many people around us grabbed their cameras and videotaped the recklessness.  Hopefully, it can be found on Youtube.

The Americans finally showed some life during the middle of the second half.  Substitutes such as Brek Shea, Robbie Rogers and Juan Aguedelo brought a spark of life that was much needed.  Players started distributing the ball well and creativity progressively developed.

An opportunity arrived for Rogers.  As soon as he got into the game, he received a well crossed ball by the blond headed, faux-hawked Shea or as I call him, the American Fernando Torres.  Shea worked hard to send a cross that met Rogers's foot for the open goal finish.

The game had ended in a 1-1 draw.  Many members of the crowd wanted an extra time, but hey, you can't always get what you want.  Both teams looked to be satisfied with a tie.  Klinsmann showed a sigh of relief when his squad netted the equalizing goal.

The Americans still need a lot of work to contend with world-class teams.  However, the second half showed a glimpse of how the youth system are some what improving their style of play.  Hopefully, the way they played the second half can transfer over to their next game.  Improvements need to be shown as soon as possible.  2014 is around the corner.  I think if anyone can do it, Klinsmann can be the one to change American soccer.