USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - German legend Juergen Klinsmann aims for second straight win as coach of the USA in friendly tie with Ecuador

Record ID: 739614

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - German legend Juergen Klinsmann aims for second straight win as coach of the USA in friendly tie with Ecuador
  • Date: 12th October 2011
  • Summary: KLINSMANN WALKING UP TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) JUERGEN KLINSMANN, US NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, SAYING: "As a coach you evaluate the group of players that are available for you, and these first couple of months are extremely important for us to get to know them, and get a better idea of their qualities and where they're coming from and really just analyze them in depth and in sense of all their capabilities. You then learn with an extended group of players that then go beyond the 20 that are called in, or 22, and then you make your decisions that are based on the qualities of those guys." WIDE VIEW OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE KLINSMANN HOLDING A PEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) JUERGEN KLINSMANN, US NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM COACH, SAYING: "You see, especially the people from New York, there's a special talent growing up here with Juan Aguadelo -- tremendous potential, but we keep his pace as an 18-year old, not shooting him up like a rocket now. We keep building him step by step. He's also in the plans for the Olympic team, as well. So, I think it looked a lot better. Step by step, there's a beginning there, and I mean the presence of Clint Dempsey is obviously a big difference, if you have Clint in that way like he played on Saturday, then it's a huge asset. It's a huge weapon that we have with him because his vision on the field because of his sharpness, his one against one skills is really top class. And I'm going to push him, and I am going to push him not to be content with anything that happens in the Premiere League. I can hopefully push him to another level that he can get to." END OF PRESS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9823AM75US52H4E4ENSSZZ6FJ
  • Story Text: The U.S. is prepared to win their second game in a row when they take the field against Ecuador said new manager Juergen Klinsman.
    The German World Cup winner won his first game as coach of the U.S. on Saturday in a 1-0 win over Honduras, a Central American side that will challenge the U.S. during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
    "Of course it is the best feeling, especially for the players. They trained very hard and were determined to win and absolutely deserved it. We would have won rather with 2 or 3 point difference, but it feels good and it's a good starting point," Klinsmann told Reuters after training in New Jersey on Monday (October 10).
    The win proved to the former Germany and Bayern Munich coach that the new style of play he has been trying to impose on the team was gaining ground. It's been a slow start since Klinsmann took over from Bob Bradley, which saw the U.S. team draw and suffer two defeats in his opening three games.
    "As a coach you evaluate the group of players that are available for you, and these first couple of months are extremely important for us to get to know them, and get a better idea of their qualities and where they're coming from and really just analyze them in depth and in sense of all their capabilities," said Klinsmann.
    Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, who scored the loan goal against Honduras, will feature prominently in Klinsmann's plans.
    "He thinks there's a lot more that I can get out of myself. I can take my game to the next level, so I'm just trying to keep my ears open and learn as much as I can, you know, he's one of the players that has played at the highest level, so anytime he tells you something, you'd be dumb not to listen," said Dempsey.
    "Step by step, there's a beginning there, and I mean the presence of Clint Dempsey is obviously a big difference, if you have Clint in that way like he played on Saturday, then it's a huge asset. It's a huge weapon that we have with him because his vision on the field because of his sharpness, his one against one skills is really top class," praised Klinsmann.
    Klinsmann will also look to younger talent such as New York Red Bulls striker Juan Aguadelo who will make his first appearance at his home stadium for the U.S.
    "You see, especially the people from New York, there's a special talent growing up here with Juan Aguadelo -- tremendous potential, but we keep his pace as an 18-year old, not shooting him up like a rocket now. We keep building him step by step. He's also in the plans for the Olympic team, as well," Klinsmann said.
    The U.S. will face Ecuador at Red Bull Arena New Jersey on Tuesday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register