That's On Point: The Web Site

U.S. at Slovenia (today, noon, ESPN2) ... inquiring minds wants to know where will Koman Coulibaly be watching this match? And what's the over/under on amount of times ESPN replays Maurice Edu's goal that wasn't a goal at the 2010 World Cup?

Since this is probably the final match from the U.S. in 2011, let's at least cobble together a couple quick thoughts, considering time is at a premium these days. (Or maybe it's that devoting too many brain cells to an instantly forgettable friendly is a cure sign of insanity.)

* It's probably too early to use the term, "sold a bill of goods," but a couple months into the Jurgen Klinsmann era it's been ... pretty boring. The theory that the U.S. would experience a media gladnost under the German coach seems to be accurate, however the idea the U.S. would move away from the stale malaise exhibited in the waning days of Bob Bradley seem to be a figment of Sunil Gulati's imagination, so far.

* Jozy Altidore, physically at least, looked imposing in the game vs. France. Can he play basically by himself up top? Does he need a running mate? Didn't Germany go a lot of 4-4-2 under Klinsman?

* Hard to find much logic in the fact Klinsmann keeps calling in Robbie Rogers, while leaving Freddy Adu out.

* Since I don't follow MLS obsessively, aside from Brad Davis (injured anyway) and Omar Gonzalez (playing in the league final) anyone from the league unfairly being snubbed by Klinsmann?

* It's weird, but with all the Bundesliga imports Klinsmann is trying to court, it's like its 1996 all over again. Remember when you'd watch a U.S. game -- basically the only non-Mexican league games on American television at the time -- and you'd hear how Earnie Stewart played for this semi-mythical team NAC Breda, or that Thomas Dooley was employed by something called Kaiserslautern.

That's how it almost feels with guys like Fabian Johnson or Danny Williams. Yeah, at this point, a lot of American soccer folks know all about TSG Hoffenheim, but at the same time how often to we ever get a glimpse of these teams in action? They're not in the Champions League, so all you get are those one or two VHS-tape quality Bundesliga games on GolTV per week. (Same for some of those guys toiling away in obscurity in various Scandinavian ports of call.)

Granted, this isn't a huge issue, but as a fan it's hard to find a connection to guys who seemingly appeared overnight, show up for a couple international games, then disappear back into the ether.

* The last couple U.S. games, admittedly, have made me reevaluate international soccer, which seems to be about 83 percent tedious and 99 percent a money-making scheme by Sepp and his cronies.

The World Cup Finals -- awesome. The European Championship? The Copa America or even the African Cup of Nations -- lots of fun. The run up to those tournaments? Until the final couple matchdays? Not all that compelling. Plus, by its nature international games aren't quite as open and exciting as weekly club action, so it's the drama of the tournaments themselves that make a lot of the magic happen.

And friendlies ... sigh.

* Whatever mitigating factors ... two goals in six games under Klinsmann is atrocious. (Oddly enough, aside from the 1-1 draw vs. Brazil in his debut, the other five Klinsmann games have been 1-0 results.)

* It's only a friendly, three years from a World Cup, months from games that matter and all that jazz, but at least send U.S. fans into the January training camp with something, anything. Another listless 90 minutes shrugged off by Klinsmann isn't the end of the world in the grand scheme of things, but it doesn't inspire much confidence, either.

* Please Ian Darke, don't succumb to the powers of John Harkes and continue to give a fair, honest evaluation of the games, instead of sugar coating it like the Captain.

* Multiple reporters have already labeled Samir Handanovič the best keeper in Serie A, for whatever that's worth.

* Keep an eye on Palermo's Josip Iličić, too.

Labels: jurgen klinsmann, Soccer, USMNT