Jurgen Klinsmann still has the same goal for USMNT at 2018 World Cup
Jurgen Klinsmann is serious about this thing.
He wants the United States men’s national team to reach the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He’d said it before, back in the fall of 2014. But, in the wake of a semifinal push at the Copa America Centenario in June, he reiterated it again in an interview with CNN.com.
In the interview, Klinsmann said:
“We set an ambitious goal for the 2018 World Cup – to reach the semifinals. And, if we start with the end goal in mind, we obviously want to win the World Cup one day. There are huge challenges, and it will take a lot of hard work. But things are definitely moving in the right direction. Our goals are challenging but achievable.
“The next step is to become one of the best soccer nations in the world. The USMNT has become an important engine for growth in the United States. We’re trying to do everything we can to make the national team as successful as possible in the World Cup, which is the benchmark for everyone around the world.”
It was, and remains, an ambitious objective, especially since the U.S. hasn’t been to a World Cup semifinal since 1930, at the very first World Cup when a lot of big countries refused to participate in the tournament in Uruguay and only 13 showed. The furthest the Yanks have gone since then is the quarterfinal at the 2002 World Cup.
But Klinsmann also acknowledged that the base upon which he’s building his program remains shaky and that long-term success will require further construction.
“The foundation in the United States is still fragile and disconnected compared to other countries. The youth leagues do their own thing, the professional system is not really connected to the amateur system, and that’s not really connected to the college system.
“So there are holes in the system, like in a Swiss cheese, and there’s a loss of quality. We’re working on connecting those pieces, on connecting player development, and on continuing to build a pyramid in this amazing country.
“There are so many things that aren’t yet connected the way they should be connected. America is such a huge, fascinating place. I think it’s going to take years to get it all right.”
As often, Klinsmann pointed to mentality and mindset as some of the missing elements for the American players, if they are to become consistent contenders on the world stage.
“A lot of things have gone well these past years, but a lot of things need to get better. It’s a long-term process and there’s no room for complacency. We’re working on becoming a more proactive team; we’re working on developing a style in which Americans recognize themselves.
“Over time, we want to develop a belief that, ‘If I’m really prepared, if I’m physically and mentally at the top of my abilities, then I’m actually able to compete with the best in the world.’ We want to develop that mindset that, yes, we can do it.”
The German head coach and technical director once again argued that in order to achieve this, his players are better off playing their club soccer in Europe – while understanding that the money now being paid for national team stars in Major League Soccer is hard to pass up.
“”You’ve got to go where the world’s best players are – it’s as simple as that. If you try to make that step, you throw yourself into the shark tank, and it’s gonna get nasty. And you gotta fight your way through it. But ultimately it’s gonna make you stronger.
“It takes that kind of mindset that will make a difference in a big tournament. When players are in a highly competitive peer-pressure environment for 11 months a year, they are far better prepared for that huge level of expectations when it comes down to a World Cup – which is the ultimate benchmark for everyone.”
Go read the entire story at CNN.com.
Leander Schaerlaeckens is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @LeanderAlphabet.
