5 greatest USMNT moments under Jurgen Klinsmann
By David Rouben
Things may look bleak for the USMNT right now, but we should remember the good times, not the bad, under manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
Just two matches into the Hex, USA fans are already calling for Jurgen Klinsmann’s head. It’s hardly the first time they’ve called for the German to be fired, though in the past the team has always seemed to respond well to such adversity. Still, the 4-0 loss to Costa Rica, which equaled the USMNT’s worst defeat in World Cup Qualifying since 1957, may just be the final nail in the coffin for Klinsmann.
A lot of people have questioned how Klinsmann even made it this far, so it’s worth remembering what he’s accomplished as USMNT manager. In five years, some of his greatest achievements include escaping the group of death in the 2014 World Cup and reaching the semifinal of the Copa America Centenario. His overall record in competitive matches is 28-6-13, and 27-10-14 in friendlies.
His tactics may be questionable at times, but let’s not pretend USMNT is a soccer powerhouse. He’s able to make the most of what he’s given, which is all you can ask of a manager. But come the next round of Hexagonal matches, it’s likely we’ll see a new manager on the USMNT sideline, so let’s take a look at some of Klinsmann’s greatest accomplishments with this team.
5. Beating Italy in 2012
Even when the result means nothing, or the opposition is hardly trying, winning against a European powerhouse is always satisfying. USA’s win over Italy in 2012 was Klinsmann’s first signature triumph, and it felt like a sign of things to come.
Prior to the match, USA hadn’t beaten the Azzurri in 10 tries, with their last win coming all the way back in 1934. Winning was hard enough, but doing it in Genoa felt like a Herculean task. But Clint Dempsey, one of Klinsmann’s most dependable strikers, scored the lone goal, while Tim Howard out-performed Gigi Buffon to capture a famous clean sheet. But he did get help from his back four, who put in one of their best performances.
By the full time whistle, the away supporters were singing their hearts out. Klinsmann’s tenure as manager got off to a rocky start, as he lost four of his first six games. But he rebounded in 2012 when the team started the year on a four-game shutout streak. None of them were more memorable than this one.
After this win, USA fans felt like they could beat anyone, and for the most part, they did. Italy were hardly the only European giants that the national team wound up beating overseas. But as far as early impressions go, this wasn’t bad.