Doing some reporting for SI.com’s U.S.-Mexico preview piece that should go up some time today is posted here now, I spoke by phone to a couple of American players Monday from Philadelphia. There’s definitely a newness around it all, a fresh slate for some, a curiosity among the established hands – and maybe even a little nervous energy that might serve the U.S. side well.
It’s Klinsmann’s world at the moment; the rest of us, well, you know...
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As Steve Cherundolo told me: “There’s certainly a ‘first day of school’ feeling around it.”
How well put is that? We can all relate. What might happen? Will you like the new teach? Is that adorable redhead in your class? Will you get your ass kicked out behind the portable buildings? There’s just a raging swirl of wonder about it all.
And thank goodness. This was shaping up to be a flat beer of a match, otherwise. Why U.S. Soccer scheduled a match against Mexico when more weighty matches between the two were bracketing Wednesday’s – Gold Cup final six weeks ago, World Cup qualifiers ahead – only Ben Franklin could say. You know, a lot of Ben Franklins? I think you understand.
Only, it wasn’t even going to make a bunch of dough, as advance sales have been pretty weak for this one. Suffice to say, the frenzy factor wasn’t going to match a packed house at the Rose Bowl.
I’ll link to the piece when it’s posted. Until then, here’s a juicy little nugget, and a hint of what “Klinsi” is up against as he pieces things together for his debut: Players kept arriving through Monday. DaMarcus Beasely wasn’t scheduled to land until around midnight on Monday evening. So, training sessions have been on the sparse side so far.
How much different is this mini-camp under Klinsmann, as the howdy and handshakes dominate? Initial plans call for a Wednesday morning training session, hours before the match, something that definitely wouldn’t have on the agenda under Bob Bradley’s more familiar structure.
Oh, one more thing: be sure to read Grant Wahl’s terrific one-on-one with Klinsmann at SI.com. It’s sardine-packed with great stuff from the new U.S. boss, who is refreshingly candid.
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