The Jurgen Klinsmann Era Begins

The Klinsmann Era must have missed the starting gun.  The US looked like 11 zombies going through the moitions during the first half of play.   The Mexicans fluid game dominated the pace of the match early and often, rarely making a costly turnover.  Any flow the US created was quickly thwarted by a Mexican defender or a careless pass.  A rather bleak beginning to the match.

The substitutions made by Klinsmann seemed to immediately spark the US and in the second half things began to turn around.  The ball remained in the US's attacking third for the overwhelming majority of the last thirty minutes.  Juan Agudelo's vision of play continually lead him to dangerous points of a attack for the US and eventually helped create Robbie Rodger's goal in the 72nd minute.  Agudelo finding never ending holes in back lines allows Landon Donovan to roam freely.  At times Donovan struggles to find his home on the pitch but with Agudelo's passing prowess, he's able to play off the ball and be that dangerous goal scoring threat.


Don't want to overreact to only thirty minutes of play but Brek Shea was a nice addition to the midfield.  His shear height and physicality are rare to see in soccer and gave the smaller Mexican side fits.  Just not sure where he fits with Dempsey in the lineup.  Overall, we were very unfortunate not to awarded a PK or be playing up a man for the final seven minutes when we continued to pour the pressure on the Mexican defense.  A draw isn't what the US wanted but it is something to build on going forward.

Klinsmann has several matches this fall leading up to 2014 Qualifying and will be able to tinker with his lineup until he finds the right team to have fun with each other.  And that's what soccer is all about.  Having fun.  Finding a team that builds off one another.  Football is a game of strength.  Basketball a game of rhythm.  Soccer is a game of creativity.  That's what Klinsmann was brought her to do, instill creativity in our players.