What’s Next For The USMNT?

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Brady Vanlo, Sports Editor

After leading the United States Men’s National Team to five straight losses in six games, manager, Jurgen Klinsmann’s position is now under more scrutiny than ever in his past four years in charge.

With the large wave of U.S. fans and the mere 10,000 Costa Rica fans attending the home game against Costa Rica last night, Klinsmann and the rest of the national received a large amount of boos as they stepped off the pitch.

Although it might be a little odd for soccer fans to bash on their own country, the fans may be right. Should the United States relieve Jurgen Klinsmann of his managerial duties?

ESPN recently released a poll asking soccer fans whether or not Klinsmann should be sacked as the manager of the national team. 66% of fans responded with a no, Klinsmann should be given another chance, and I’d have to agree with them.

I mean, in truth, the past five losses have been pretty fluky. The first one coming from the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Jamaica after a pretty controversial first goal. The second coming in penalties against Panama. Another against Mexico last saturday after a stunning shot in extra time and the last two losses occurring in friendlies.

Many people have also touched on the fact that many of the players on the USMNT aren’t even born American. Players such as Timmy Chandler, Jermaine Jones, and Aron Johannsson are all players that have changed citizenship to American and have been a great impact for the team. Jones and Chandler being a backbone for the defense and Johannsson being a great threat up front alongside Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.

“We’ll always be behind him 100%” goalkeeper, Tim Howard told ESPN last night, “the players that can’t cope with it are at home right now watching it on TV. It’s a part of what it is to be at this level. You have to fight through tough times,”

Defender, Geoff Cameron agrees.

“We have to take responsibility,” says Cameron, “It’s not him, it’s the players on the pitch. We’re the ones that have to perform,”

Now with the players backing Klinsmann up for his work, is it time for the fans to start doing the same?

With the next three fixtures against Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and Guatemala, we’ll just have to ride the wave and see what’s next for the USMNT.