Lot of work to do in the next four years. Now the bar has been raised.
Hopefully we have some good young players coming up through the program. Klinsi got the most out of this squad, although they aren’t really the kind of team he wants ultimately.
But I see a lot of 10 and 12 year olds who watched this tournament and no doubt will now be inspired to want to be the next ones to carry the torch.
The future is bright, because Klinsi has a vision.
It isn't just Bradley, though that is a start. The glaring thing about the USA that became apparent over and over again is that the midfield just is not good enough yet.
To win matches at high level you have to have possession and that requires skill. You cannot rely on counter play to win you matches at this level. Without Howard, Belgium may score five or six goals today.
Players like Julian Green are the hope for the future. When we can play three more just like him in a midfield with a real anchor man who doesn't give up possession like Bradley, they will have truly arrived.
There is lots to be proud of here. And Klinsmann does have a plan. But there is a lot more developmental work to be done.
I was 12 the last time we hosted a World Cup. But living in a podunk Ohio town doesn’t give you many chances to play ball past that age.