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5 greatest USMNT moments under Jurgen Klinsmann

By David Rouben

Nov 11, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann (hc) during the second half against Mexico at MAPFRE Stadium. Mexico won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann (hc) during the second half against Mexico at MAPFRE Stadium. Mexico won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2014; Natal, BRAZIL; USA defender John Brooks is mobbed by teammates after scoring a goal in the second half against Ghana during the 2014 World Cup at Estadio das Dunas. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2014; Natal, BRAZIL; USA defender John Brooks is mobbed by teammates after scoring a goal in the second half against Ghana during the 2014 World Cup at Estadio das Dunas. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Beating Ghana in the 2014 World Cup

It was a win that was eight years in the making. Jurgen Klinsmann has many notable victories to his name, but he was able to do something both Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena couldn’t do: beat Ghana.

If there was any country US soccer fans hated more than Mexico, it was Ghana. Ghana beat the US in the group stage in the 2006 World Cup, then won the round of 16 clash between the two sides in 2010.

Drawing them in the group stage for 2014 was bad enough, but throw Germany and Portugal along with them, and there was a lot of uncertainty heading into the World Cup. Ghana were the easiest opponent in that group, so the opening game was a must-win. That’s why Clint Dempsey wasted absolutely no time by scoring in the first minute, and even though Ghana dominated for large portions of the game, they couldn’t break the deadlock until the 82nd minute.

It looked like we were headed for a draw, but then John Brooks cemented his place in USMNT lore when he scored the winner just four minutes later. It’s still one of the most famous goals in US Soccer history, and this win earned an ESPY for best sports moment ahead of Mariano Rivera’s last game and Kevin Durant’s MVP speech.

While a lot of USA fans came into the World Cup mad that Landon Donovan was left off the squad, they left it with their heads held high. Simply getting out of the group would’ve been enough for them, but the manner in which they lost to Belgium still made it feel disappointing. But their great performance, as well as the youngsters coming through the ranks, made people feel as though this was a team on the rise.

As things stand, the USMNT face an uphill battle if they want to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but Klinsmann has bounced back from plenty of disappointments before to deliver important results. Then again, it won’t be surprising if he isn’t back by the next round of World Cup Qualifying games.

Next: Top 10 Managers in Soccer history

Whoever succeeds Klinsmann will have a difficult time matching his achievements. There are still eight matches left in the Hexagonal — plenty of time for the US to qualify. Rather than bury the manager, fans should support him and the team as they try to dig themselves out of this hole.

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