5 greatest USMNT moments under Jurgen Klinsmann

2. Beating Netherlands and Germany back-to-back

Having USA play two friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany in their respective houses felt like some sort of cruel and unusual punishment. But not only did the USA win both of those games, they fashioned an improbable comeback against the Netherlands. You’d be hard pressed to find a pair of results more impressive than these two.

The Netherlands game looked like it was headed for a blowout. USA was trailing 3-1 at halftime, and looked overwhelmed. You couldn’t be blamed for turning off the game at that point, but if you did, you missed one of the most stunning comebacks in USMNT history. They scored three goals in 20 minutes, with the winner coming in stoppage time. And while Bobby Wood scored the winner, it was Michael Bradley’s run leading up to the goal that stood out the most.

But they only had three days to turn around and face Germany in their backyard. Once again, Jordan Morris was used to great effect as a super sub, and Bobby Wood scored a late winner. But this one meant more to him, considering he’s spent his entire club career playing in the Bundesliga. And while Bradley is one of the most criticized USMNT players right now, it was his superb efforts in both of these games that led to his team winning.

Any Klinsmann hater will choose to remember 2015 for the Gold Cup rather than these two fixtures. And while it was disappointing that the national team followed up these results with that performance, it shouldn’t take away from the significance of these two wins. It may have been fleeting, but for a moment, the USMNT felt like they were on top of the world.