USA vs Mexico 2011: Jurgen Klinsmann's Quest for 10 Landon Donovans Unrealistic?

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Jurgen Klinsmann Needs "10 Landon Donovans" to Compete for World Cups

Jurgen Klinsmann wants to turn the US national team into something special. The new US soccer coach has made some brash statements that point to where he plans on taking the team and just how far they have to go.

Klinsmann has high expectations. Taking the team away from where they are now to a team who could potentially contend for the 2014 World Cup is a daunting task. Many fans believed it was coaching that has been keeping the team from getting over the hump, but Klinsmann points to bigger issues.

According to Klinsmann, the US has personnel issues. He intends on building the program from the ground up, laying the foundation in youth soccer and hoping it works its way up.

Is it really the personnel that is the issue? What about Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and the rest of the US national team. Don't they count for something?

According to Klinsmann, it's not enough.

"You need maybe 10 Landon Donovans at different positions with different characteristics in order to one day be there."

That's a lofty statement from the new coach. It has to irk everyone on the team not named Landon Donovan. Even so, it shows where the bar is. Everyone is clearly being held to a higher standard, which is exactly what the US needs if they are going to pursue World Cup titles.

Klinsmann may be onto something. While it might not take 10 more players of Donovan's caliber to win a World Cup, the US talent being put forth is dwarfed by countries like Spain and Brazil.

Klinsmann's has been incredibly transparent thus far. He's not afraid to tell everyone where he feels the team is at the moment and where he expects them to be. His lofty goals may be a tad unrealistic, but they are refreshing nonetheless.

For all of your USA vs Mexico coverage, keep it locked to Bleacher Report's World Football Page

--Kyle Vassalo

Most recent updates:

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