USA vs. MEXICO: 5 Past-It Players Coach Jürgen Klinsmann Should Ditch
Jürgen Klinsmann began his tenure as US national team coach in a 1-1 draw to Mexico.
US fans needs to know it was Klinsmann who was the catalyst for the Germany's 2010 FIFA World Cup performance.
If it wasn't for Klinsmann's youthful revolution of the German national team, his successor and assistant coach Joachim Löw wouldn't be in the position he is.
Today against Mexico, it was Klinsmann's substitutions which changed the game.
What does this tell us?
Klinsmann needs to revolutionise this US team because there are players who are not quality and have little or no ceiling for success.
Here are five players who are past-it and not good enough for the US national team.
Edson Buddle
1 of 5At 30 years old, not many envisioned Edson Buddle taking the leap into der 2. Bundesliga with minnows Ingolstadt.
Three goals in 17 games for the Germans does not make pretty reading.
He had no influence whatsoever in 60 minutes against Mexico.
With Juan Agudelo, Jozy Altidore Charlie Davies, Brek Shea and Freddy Adu all in contention, it's curtains for Buddle's international career.
Édgar Castillo
2 of 5Karma.
Never publicily criticise a fellow teammate for your own gain.
Adam Serrano at MLSsoccer.com reported Édgar Castillo saying, "I watched the Gold Cup and when [Jonathan] Bornstein came in, everything went down from there. To tell you the truth, I was watching at home and I was thinking I could have been there, but coulda-woulda, I can't say anything."
Castillo was lost at sea and played a Bornstein-like game against Mexico.
Castillo was born and raised in America, but jumped to Mexico. Then when his international career was in limbo, he jumped back to America.
Then the criticism of Bornstein—regardless if it's valid or not, plus Castillo's ineptitude at left back.
Is this type of player Jürgen Klinsmann wants on his team?
Jermaine Jones
3 of 5Some US fans keep saying, "oh, Jermaine Jones is a Bundesliga player." No he isn't.
He's hardly had a look in for Schalke since Peer Kluge started playing well, and was even demoted to the reserve team.
Why do you think Jones was playing on loan for Blackburn Rovers?
Even with Rovers, he was mediocre at best, and was better at picking up nonsensical yellow cards than being an influence in midfield.
Did it surprise you that when Jones was off the field, the US looked better?
Keep in mind, his decision to play for the US national team isn't one of patriotism, it's one of pragmatism after the German national team deemed below par
Michael Bradley
4 of 5It's a recipe for failure if Jürgen Klinsmann continues to play Michael Bradley as an attacking midfielder.
Not since his days at Heerenveen has Bradley played a more attacking midfield role. He's not cut out to be an attacking midfielder at international level and it showed against Mexico.
It would be beneficial if Bradley plays as a holding midfielder, because someone of his class and talent is invaluable to US soccer.
DaMarcus Beasley
5 of 5DaMarcus Beasley didn't play against Mexico nor was he on the bench, but he was on the squad.
Like Germany used to pick one-tricky pony David Odonkor, it seems Beasley is always picked because late in the game, there might be the opportunity for him to unleash some speed.
It's one thing being fast, it's another to be an efficient footballer to which Beasley isn't.
At club level, he's hardly been a first team regular since his days at PSV Eindhoven, which was six years ago.
Beasley is deadwood, so don't focus on the past.
Focus on the future; develop the likes Juan Agudelo, Brek Shea and Luis Gil into great US soccer players.
