A New Chapter in American Soccer Begins

US Soccer's Sunil Gulati with new USMNT Coach Jorgen Klinsmann.

New York, NY ~ Niketown -  One could almost describe the tone of the Press conference "moderate."  There was little "hype" or sensationalsim and it was very low key.  There were approximately 40 media representatives and a number of US Soccer executives and media reps in Niketown for this significant announcement.

World Cup winner and World Cup coach with Germany is now the US Men's National Team Coach.  Not that big deal on its face, however there were a number of subtleties. 

US Soccer's President Sunil Gulati seemed matter of fact that US Soccer has been speaking with Klinsmann on and off for years.

I found it interesting that they spent some time dedicated to stating that Klinsmann is a US Citizen and has lived here for 13 years.  As Klinsmann also reiterated...in his significant German accent and occassional gramatical miscues, but wouldn't be considered "broken English."

There were the silly questions from the media about whether he and his family were happy about the job and decision and how long he had been discussing or anticipated becoming Coach and whether it was for "more control" now, that he finally agreed to become Coach.  Gulati was asked similarly difficult and uneasy questions like how was his discussion with outgoing Coach Bob Bradley, like any manager in America can have an open discussion about your exit interview.  Like he was going to say that he was happy!

There were some attempts at asking what Klinsmann's strategy was going to be or how it might differ from Coach Bradley.  As you might imagine, Klinsmann handled all such questions with the political delicacy you might imagine.  He threw nobody "under the bus" and remained upbeat and positive.  

We were hoping to ask whether he would have any significant changes, symbolic changes or some kind of signal that this was now his team and he was going to show that in some way for the upcoming Mexico game.  We didn't get to ask that question as several media from Europe and Germany were getting ready for their 6:00 newscasts back home and really wanted to conduct some interviews in German.

So, the Press conference was relatively breif and pretty moderate in its tone and tempo.

No real big surprise, the US finally gets their man and Jurgen Klinsmann is now the USMNT Coach.  It will be interesting to see this unfold and what their "benchmark game" against Mexico shows.  Will players play harder? Will there be any significant personnel changes?  or will it be much the same?  the new coach is just named and you have an international friendly 6 days later.  There will be no surprise if there is no significant changes and the US get beaten again by Mexico.

The Jurgen Klinsmann era of soccer in America has begun !  Lets see where it leads us and how things work out differently for World Cup 2014 in Brazil!

USMNT Coach Jorgen Klinsmann

USMNT Coach Jorgen Klinsmann addressing the media today at Niketown in NYC.