Joe: Only in soccer, especially in the U.S., would the “foreign-is-better” mantra be espoused. So the men’s team now has Klinsmann, a German born player and now coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. He’s had a checkered career in the coaching business. Let’s just wait and see.
Chris: According to his resume, Jurgen has strong communication and organization skills. He has a track record for success as coach of a club, a country and a country club. Though he was born in Germany, he has an American wife and lives near the beach in California. He has a motor that does not stop and brings his lunch pail to work. All of this makes him perfectly suited to either lead the United States to the World Cup or teach surfing lessons.
Ralphie: I think it is strange that he moved around a lot. He really hasn’t been a coach for very long. It reminds me of Scooby Doo when they say, “There’s something funny going on around here.”
Brad: I was undecided at first but after seeing what he can do here and his approach toward the game, I think it was a smart choice in hiring him. The changes he is making seems like they could shake up the US team some and maybe give it a refreshing start.
Chris: I have to admit that I did attempt to climb on my roof and perform cartwheels when Klinsmann was announced as the new coach. In the same way that I have a fondness for muffins, I was fond of the Bruce Arena/Bob Bradley regimes. But as muffins are prone to developing mold when left out too long, United States soccer had decayed to the point where a couple of zombies tried out for left back.
Ralphie: Well, they didn’t win with the other coach, so I guess they had to fire him.
Joe: I was a Bradley fan, but in sports lack of success usually means lack of a job.
Brad: I thought it might mess up a semi decent thing, but now that I have heard some of the things Klinsmann will be doing, rotating coaches for example, I think it will keep the team on its toes and will keep fresh ideas coming in. It is almost like he is assembling soldiers to go to the front line, the way he lines up his rosters.
Chris: Does the fact that Klinsmann has lived in our country for over 10 years make him an American by osmosis, or does he have to formally fill out an application to declare squatter’s rights?
Ralphie: I don’t like it. It seems like with all the people we have in America, they should have been able to find an American to coach.
Chris: I put in my application, but I did not receive an interview.
Ralphie: It’s sad that an American is not coaching an American team.
Joe: I don’t care what the pedigree of any coach is-if he can coach and, ultimately that means, win. That being said, Americans believe that European soccer is better than U.S. soccer, so why not have a European coach. Let’s just wait and see.
Brad: Well, since not all the players are from the country they play for, it shouldn’t matter where the coach is from.
Ralphie: He will probably do a good job. I think the USA will have to win the World Cup for people to think he is doing a good job.
Chris: FOX should have covered the friendly against Mexico, as they would have likely used an exclusive camera just for Klinsmann. After the coverage the network gave Jimmy Johnson in his first game with the Miami Dolphins, I was expecting cameras to lurch out of the ground near Klinsmann’s feet, in order to give viewers an inside look of his nostrils.
Brad: I have hopes he will do good. I think as long as the team is doing good, the public will consider him a success.
Joe: Klinsmann-I wish you and the team well. Mexico was the first test, and I say once again, let’s just wait and see.