USMNT 2014 World Cup: Jurgen Klinsmann Is The Right Man To Beat Ghana [VIDEO]

When the United States hired Jurgen Klinsmann to be their coach in 2011, it was because the men’s national team had stalled on the global stage. After two consecutive elimination losses to Ghana, it was time for a change. Since taking over the job, Klinsmann has been a very controversial figure in the Soccer world. Last month, he cut the most decorated American talisman in history, Landon Donovan.

Now in Brazil, and preparing his team for the World Cup, it had appeared the media hype surrounding the Donovan decision had finally subsided. That’s when Klinsmann decided to publicly announce that he did not believe his team could win the World Cup Trophy. “Talking about winning a World Cup is just not realistic.” He said. Suddenly a country that stubbornly prides itself on winning was being told by their soccer leader that it could not be done.

Regardless of whether or not the US Men’s National Team can win now, Klinsmann has them on the right track. His vision is to guide team USA not just now, but four, eight and twelve years from now. Right or not, saying goodbye to Donovan was just another example of that vision.

While the rest of his team traveled to Brazil last week, Klinsmann stayed back in the US to study Ghana’s friendly against South Korea which the Black Stars won 4-0. Klinsmann also purposely scheduled African nation, Nigeria as the final tune up for the US before Brazil.

That friendly is the key to team USA’s success on Monday. Nigeria is a team similar in size, speed and strength to Ghana. Less than six months ago at the Orange African Nation’s Championship, Ghana defeated Nigeria in a tough physical defensive match that went the full 120 minutes without a score. Ghana went on to win 4-1 on penalty kicks.

Klinsmann is smart, strategic and tactical. Let’s give the man his due credit, he was the third best player in the world in 1990, and has won both a World Cup, and EUFA Cup. In the 2006 World Cup, as the coach of Germany, Klinsmann should have won his first World Cup as a coach when his team went undefeated through to the semifinal match, where two goals to Italy in the 118^th and 120^th minutes was the difference in a match that was destined to be won by Germany on penalty kicks.

Klinsmann is a winner. Make no mistake about it; he wants to beat Ghana on Monday. He has made no secret of his intentions to go “all in” on Ghana in this tournament. That is why he stayed back to watch their match against South Korea. You know Klinsmann was acutely taking notes, studying Ghana’s strengths and weaknesses and how to attack and exploit them.

Against Nigeria he tried using a new diamond formation with Michael Bradley controlling the middle of the diamond and moving Sunderland striker, Jozy Altidore to the top of the diamond where he was able to roam around the box. Without Donovan to compete with, the bigger and stronger Jozy Altidore of old was resurrected as he scored two brilliant goals that won the match for team USA 2-1.

Klinsmann now believes the US can beat Ghana. “We worked hard for it, over a month in camp, we had the three send off games, endless scrimmages and we did well. We are full of confidence to approach Ghana. Ghana is a team full of individual talent and it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re very confident.” He said recently.

Klinsmann has known for over six months who was in the United States group at the 2014 World Cup and he knows that in order to advance to the knockout stage, the US must beat Ghana. His intimate knowledge of Germany could help in a later match, but he knows firsthand that Germany is the best of Group D and that team USA is not at their level yet. Three points against Ghana and a draw or win against Portugal and the US is in. That’s the road to the second round and Klinsmann knows it.

Since the start of 2014 he has sent the US media on a “revenge” tour for his team. “We must get revenge on the team that eliminated us from the last two World Cups!” Is what you hear fans screaming across the country. The media has bought in and now the players have as well.

The outrage over Landon Donovan has now subsided and we as fans are ready for Monday. We know what a team lead by Landon Donovan looked like in 2010 against Ghana. The Black Stars were too physical and strong in back and were able to contain the shorter Donovan. Now let’s see them deal with Jozy Altidore. The history of the past has already been written, in the 2014 World Cup, Klinsmann will make sure history does not repeat itself.

Landon Donovan Left Off U.S.A National Team: No... by RantSports