#360USA: Copa America 2016 is key moment for Klinsmann

Steve Brenner 09:11 29/02/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Heavily scrutinised: Klinsmann.

    It wasn’t so much a Group of Death, but rather a cause for concern. This summer’s Copa America Centenario was given lift-off last week during a typically glitzy draw ceremony in New York City. All the suits were smiling among the glamorous announcers, dazzling under the bright lights of the Big Apple.

    The circus was in town and ready to show the world just how special a reboot of last summer’s tournament will be. Yet, amid all the backslapping and dreaming, the U.S. national team and Jurgen Klinsmann were given a timely reality check.

    Placed in a group with Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica, the prospect of the hosts leaving their party even before it started looms large. For an under-pressure manager following a disappointing two-year period since impressing at the World Cup in Brazil – and a thriving fanbase desperate to proudly rub shoulders with the best – this is a huge moment for U.S. Soccer.

    Keeping the home support interest is paramount. The U.S. fanatics need something to believe in.

    A malaise has been seeping through the ranks. The moans are growing louder. Results have been average but largely acceptable – it’s the wider picture which causes consternation for many.

    After all, it was the former Internazionale and Tottenham striker who demanded full control over the whole national team set-up following his arrival in 2011. The idea was, as in his native Germany, to see a system which would produce and enable world-class players to rise up and become world champions.

    Recruiting players eligible for the U.S., despite never playing in the country, has been a recurring theme – six out of the 23-strong World Cup roster had played for other countries at youth level. Progression in developing the production lines has been noted, yet, there may once more be no US side present at this summer’s Olympics should they lose out to Colombia in a playoff next month.

    In a country whose sporting system produces excellent athletes through its collegiate system, for soccer to fail is simply not good enough. The U-17 side lost all three World Cup games last summer, and although the U-20’s reached the last eight in New Zealand last June, that big breakthrough triumph seems light years away.

    Faith in the German’s ability to lead the international team, while combining this all-encompassing role as U.S. Soccer overlord, is wavering with every disappointing campaign. Yet, at the beginning of June, another opportunity presents itself.

    Despite many teams set to be affected with the Olympics looming – Neymar, for example, could miss out, along with James Rodriguez, although Lionel Messi is poised to play, such is his desperation to win an international honour – this will an intriguing month for all concerned.

    Whoever plays for Argentina and Brazil will take some beating – as will those wearing Mexican, Uruguayan, and Chilean shirts – but from a U.S. perspective, success breeds interest and a strong campaign would work wonders.

    Imagine, for example, if Group A was successfully navigated, ensuring a second-round meeting with Brazil. Think about the effect of the U.S. playing out of their skins, rising to the occasion and producing a seismic shock. Nothing, not even that, is impossible. A feel-good factor would course through veins.

    In the height of summer, the NBA and NFL are in hibernation. The mainstream will look for something to grab hold of and, with wall-to-wall TV coverage, it will be hard to avoid soccer. The sight of LA Galaxy starlet Gayesi Zardes fulfilling his promise with the world watching would provide the kind of boost no marketing campaign could muster.

    If Klinsmann can strike the right balance between youth and experience – something which he’s been accused of failing to do – the tools are in place to raise eyebrows and eradicate failure to reach next summer’s Confederations Cup.

    With CONCACAF struggling to regain respectability following the FIFA scandal, which shamed its president Jeffrey Webb and others, this tournament is a watershed moment for them – and Klinsmann. Both have no option but to deliver.

    Recommended