3 Reasons Why Jurgen Klinsmann Can Still Take Stars and Stripes to Next Level

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USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann has come under a little bit of fire recently for not producing satisfactory results, especially in World Cup qualifiers.

The United States allowed Jamaica to get a first ever win against them last week in a World Cup qualifier and barely squeezed out a 1-0 win over the Reggae Boyz a few days later in Columbus—a game that, were it not for the woodwork, should have ended up 4-0.

The only reason the United States sit atop Group A in CONCACAF WC qualifying is goal differential. 

However, the United States still have the right man for the job in Jurgen Klinsmann. Here are three reasons why the former Tottenham and Germany striker is the right man to take the U.S. to the next level. 

Klinsmann Recognizes Talent—and Lack Thereof

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Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi, at 26 years old, earned his first international start in the second leg against Jamaica and impressed immediately.

Zusi confounded the Jamaican defense with his neat, effective passing and almost opened up the scoring with a corkscrewing effort that bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Zusi represents the chances that Klinsmann is giving players that past coaches may not have chosen for the team. Klinsmann, more often than not, has seen accurately chosen up-and-coming players that have done effective work in the national team setup.

Another example is Herculez Gomez. Even though Gomez was on the team when Bob Bradley was manager, he was never utilized to his full potential, much to the chagrin of some USMNT fans. Under Klinsmann, Gomez has started the last seven games; he started over Jozy Altidore against Jamaica and scored the lone goal in the 1-0 win.

Klinsmann recognizes the talent needed to win.  

Klinsmann Isn't Afraid to Sit Veterans

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Captain Carlos Bocanegra didn't start in the United States' 2-1 loss to Jamaica last week in the first leg. 

After poor performances in that game, Maurice Edu and Jozy Altidore were left on the bench for the second leg. 

I can't even remember the last time I saw Oguchi Onyewu in a national team kit. 

Klinsmann doesn't care if you're old or new; if you're good enough to play, then you get to play. This stamps his authority on the team and gets productions out of every player. 

Klinsmann Has Shown He Can Cope Without Landon Donovan

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Landon Donovan missed the World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica with a nagging hamstring injury that has hampered him most of this season.

For large parts of his absence, the USMNT has shown that they can play fine without him.

Sure, they miss his presence on the field—LD is still one of the leading faces of American soccer and still has quite a bit of skill in him. But Klinsmann has assembled a group of young, rising talent that has looked like they can handle the departure of LD from the national team.

Donovan himself has said that he could retire after the 2013 season, with his contract with the LA Galaxy expiring then. 

While it would be a huge blow, it's an inevitable blow, but one that Klinsmann looks prepared to take.