As the World (Cup) Turns: Drama, Klinnsman and the state of the USMNT

So what do we make of the recent Sporting News Article featuring an 'unknown' USMNT player supposedly criticizing the current US coach's methodology and tactics?

Nothing..

For all we know the unnamed source could be none other than Suni Gulati himself. I mean look, the timing of this bombshell piece not only precedes the Men’s squad crucial showdown with a dangerous Honduras squad, but suspiciously brings attention of the notorious sort to the US soccer program while the country feasts on the endless bounty that is March madness

hmmmmmm...

Theories aside. Klinnsman's bunch has been anything short of controversial since the Deutscher took the helm around a year ago.

 In review, the criticisms hurled by said 'unnamed' player revolve around the rather unorthodox techniques (side note, in today's pop/trend society, the notion of achieving peak athletic performance through nutritional discipline is hardly out of the ordinary) and lack of tactical communication.

Tactical communication??

Sounds like sour grapes to me..

Fact remains facts. The current version of the US men’s national team remains smack dab in the mist of a long awaited (and well published) transition. Along with this seemingly novel realization, comes the fact that the national team stands as someone who must act as the front man whose hands stand firmly placed on the steering wheel of the ENTIRETY of the US soccer program.

JK has, up to this point, demonstrated a quality that seems to be overlooked in American soccer pundit circles.

GUTS

The man has taken the reigns of the program from an oh-so-conservative yet successful Bob Bradley and introduced a mountain of 'change' in his short tenure. Said change has produced results that look a little like this:

Best USMNT record over a 360 period

First ever defeat of a first team Mexican National side on Mexican soil

First ever defeat of a full Italian National side on Italian soil

The largest number of US-born players plying their trade in the world's top leagues

A solid player evaluation program responsible for the introduction of several (some of the German-American kind, aghast) key newcomers to the USMNT

The achievement of all this sans the consistent presence of all-time US scorer and greatest player in US history Landon Donovan

A declared program-wide mission designed to elevate men's soccer and compete with the world's elite.

Sure, the man loves a motivational sound bite. But to the chagrin of a few, his motivation works. The resounding defeat in Honduras aside, this thing is headed in the right direction.

So where does that leave us and the (supposed) disgruntled few on the American side?

Same place we were earlier this week.

Days away from the most crucial match in JK’s short tenure.

Who knew?