Jurgen Klinsmann said he had no plans to jettison his most experienced players after suffering a shattering defeat to Mexico which capped a miserable year for the United States.
Just over a year after captivating American fans with a series of heroic performances at the World Cup in Brazil, US soccer has had to digest a string of setbacks which culminated in Saturday's 3-2 extra-time loss in Pasadena. The result means Mexico will be heading to the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, depriving Klinsmann and his squad of valuable tournament football experience a year ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.
Saturday's defeat followed a semi-final exit at the Gold Cup in July and a chastening 4-1 drubbing by Brazil in September. In a separate blow on Saturday, the United States Olympic team suffered a crucial 2-0 qualifying loss to Honduras in Utah which has imperiled their chances of reaching next summer's games in Rio de Janeiro.
Klinsmann tried to put a brave face on a dark day for US soccer however, and ruled out wholesale changes to his senior squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. "There's no reason to cut the cord with any of these guys. It's not necessary," said Klinsmann, hinting however that more opportunities would be given to emerging players.
"Our responsibility at the same time is to give fresh blood an opportunity, to give them an open fight for places. We have to kind of sit together and discuss things, who we're counting on, how we want to build towards the next couple of games," Klinsmann said. "And there's not much time because the World Cup qualifiers are right on us. There will be a lot of conversations coming up the next couple of days."
Klinsmann meanwhile rejected suggestions that US players suffered from technical inferiority against sides like Mexico, who dominated possession for long periods before Paul Aguilar scored a wonderful 118th-minute volley to win the game in extra time. "I think that our players can score goals like that," Klinsmann said. "On any given day Clint Dempsey or Jozy Altidore can do something like that."
The German legend admitted however that ultimately his side had been undermined by a failure to retain possession, especially in the second half. "What we didn't do well was simply to keep the ball," he said. "We ran a lot, and won a lot of balls, but we couldn't calm the game down enough. But we should have done better."
Klinsmann also shrugged off criticism about his own role following calls from former captain Landon Donovan that he should be sacked if he lost against Mexico. "As I said before, everybody can express his opinion," Klinsmann said. "And if not everybody likes you, that's fine. I'm not here to be liked, I'm trying to do a good job and I'm privileged to have that role."