Road To The World Cup

Jurgen Klinsmann changes lineups the way you and I change our socks – often (and perhaps I am not speaking for you).

The coach of the United States Men’s National Team cannot decide on a lineup that pleases him, and so he changes from game to game, moves players from position to position, and earns heavy criticism as the team reacts with confusion and a lack of passion to assignments without pattern.

The complaining about Klinsmann hit a crescendo after the soccer team’s 2-0 loss on Friday to Guatemala, and it will abate a bit now after Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Guatemala. The U.S. needed a victory to take over second place in qualifying Group C and got it, albeit with another new lineup and a key player back where he is comfortable.

Comfortable with his return to central defense, Geoff Cameron set up one goal and scored another to get the Americans back in the hunt. Note to Klinsmann – don’t mess this lad up.

Trinidad (3-0-1) leads Group C with 10 points, three ahead of the U.S. (2-1-1). Guatemala (2-2) has six points, and St. Vincent (0-4) has been eliminated. The U.S., striving for its eighth straight World Cup berth, travels to St. Vincent on Sept. 2, then finishes the round four days later against Trinidad at Jacksonville, Florida.

What changes will Klinsmann as qualifying unfolds? Maybe he has learned to let players play where they’re comfortable and effective. Maybe he just has an ego that forces him orchestrate. The World Cup always generates interest in the United States, more so since its national team has become a regular part of it. It would be a shame to flush that opportunity because one man likes to go “eeny, meeny, miney moe” with his lineup card.

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman