So have Green and likely a dozen players for various national teams around the globe
I am happy that the US played a spirited game (and tournament), sorry it did not end in a win yesterday. Canīt claim that Belgium was not the better team though, iīm afraid.
I think the way the US with Klinsmann has started is the right one. I think i made a similar post before and am not feeling like typing a novel right now regardless, so the short thoughts i have here:
1) The talent level, right now, is not there. It is much easier to build a quality defense with lesser talent (especially if it is backed by a Top5 GK in the world), than it is to build a potent attack. There is a reason why no one other than Dempsey has played an attacking role with even a borderline EL/CL team (in case of some of the younger players, maybe not yet) and a reason why Bradley was forced into a much more offensive responsibility than he is comfortable with imo. Guys like Zusi or Bedoya are not quality wingers.
There are not many players who would start for any of the 1/4 finalists.
2) The current roster is also not incredibly young, with quite a few starters unlikely (or at least not totally likely) to play again in 4 years.
3) With the physical talent naturally around, the US could choose to rely on fighting spirit, team work and the occasional real talent and reach the round of 16 regularly or sometimes the round of 8.
4) However, if there is ever to be a chance for more than a miracle run going further than that, you need to create the "base" of something more sound and reliable. Especially nowadays, where nearly every team (well, thereīs allways a Cameroon) is able to play hard and smart to some degree and no one is underestimating anybody anymore.
Because for that time when a new Donovan or a few similarly talented players arrive on the scene, you donīt want to be caught not being up to speed as a team and an "organization".
By which i donīt claim that it is key to play offensive minded football. But you need a system and a culture where players know how to play with the ball, not just defend against the other team. The very best teams of the last decade had a great defense (and neither Spain, nor Italy or France played all out attacking football), but they also had players that were able to play on the ball and who had that responsibility
and freedom to take risks.
5) you canīt plan titles in soccer, but you can enhance your chances to take advantage of the opportunity. And i think the US putting more stock into player development in terms of skill and tactics, as well as a more fluid and "self-controlled" game with more of an eye on attacking play is the way to go.
6) It is absolutely necessary for young, promising players to go abroad, tough it out and work themselves up the ladder. You
need the majority of your players playing big time competition as often as possible. You canīt prepare for those moments in training and you canīt become a world class player playing against subpar competition, period. (which is not a slight to the MLS per se or saying it canīt improve: But it is just not likely that it will ever be top flight or be part of anything resembling the Champions League)
DeAndre Yedlin for example should go over right after the tournament. There will be team calling without question, it is up to him ultimately if he wants to take that challenge or not. And this does not mean a big club really, but a mid table team somewhere. Maybe even that is too much of an adjustment and it might be a bad move for him. But for the USMNT to improve, there needs to be the same that applies to the other nations without top leagues: 10 guys coming over equals 2 or 3 success stories.
I mean, it is the same with young player within the big nations with top leagues: Without looking it up i am sure that not even 1/2 of the german U17 or even the U19 national team regularly make the jump to even Division 2 football in germany in their career and the U21 team will always have more guys ending up on the fringe of first division than on the senior national team.
Playing time is important and the floor might be higher for a guy just playing MLS until 24,25 (or all career) but the ceiling naturally gets lowered as well over time.
Hope this does not come across as negative, it is not meant that way i can assure you
