The U.S men’s national soccer team encountered a 4-1 humiliation in the hands of Brazil after demolishing Scotland 5-1 a few days earlier. Since the departure of former manager Bob Bradley, the United States have not made proof of progress. They play rapid football and make good moves but the Brazil match revealed that coach Jurgen Klinsmann needs to tighten up his defence.
“We’ve got to move on, but we need to get an edge, nastier,” Klinsmann told the press at FedEx Field after his team’s 4-1 loss to Brazil.
“Maybe we’re a little bit still too naive, maybe we don’t want to hurt people, but that’s what you got to do. You’ve got to do that at the end of the day, so we’ve got to step on their toes more and get them more frustrated and make a case with the referee maybe as well for us, not only the opponents.”
Jurgen Klinsmann also believes that his players must better benefit from high emotions. Soccerbylves.com quoted the USA coach as saying:
“If you watch big teams in the world when there’s a call going against them, Barcelona is one of them, they come with 10 guys towards the referee, the referee is confused, he doesn’t even know who to show a yellow card to.
“And I think we just need to be stronger to make our case, to tell clearly that this is not all right and to be more confident in certain moments.”
Canada will benefit from home support at the BMO Field in Toronto. The USA friendly should be a good test for the Canadians who dream of playing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The match will mark the end of Canada’s 100th soccer association anniversary celebration. Rising star Ashtone Morgan is looking forward to it:
“It's going to be great. Hopefully we get a great turnout from our fans. It's an exhibition, but... especially with the rivalry [againts USA], it's going to be quite a big game.”
Canada will lock horns against Honduras and Cuba in World Cup qualifiers later this month.
