DUBLIN – Win or lose, Tuesday's match against the Republic of Ireland (2:45 pm ET, ESPN2 and UniMas) is yet another opportunity for a new-look US national team to gain experience in a hostile environment.
Similar to Friday's loss in a pro-Colombian Craven Cottage, the learning curve is just as important to USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann as the score line in the final match of 2014.
“The earlier that we can throw the players into a stress environment, into a very demanding environment, the better it is," Klinsmann said at a press conference in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Monday. "And that is why we try to get games here [in Europe] and going down in the future to South America. And to keep learning and keep losing to get that experience.
“That’s what these guys need," Klinsmann continued. "They need to understand what it really takes to master the game at a higher level and hopefully get the results down the road. We play for wins, no matter where we go. We want results and we want to earn respect wherever we go.”
But while taking on 61st-ranked Ireland’s second-string team in a friendly — regulars Robbie Keane (returning to LA Galaxy for MLS Cup Playoffs), Marc Wilson, Kevin Doyle, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and Darron Gibson have all dropped out of the initial squad — may not quite the same as facing the starting lineup for No. 3-ranked Colombia, it will nonetheless be seen as a test of character.
“It helps a lot when you play against a top three team [Colombia] in the world and you learn a lot. For me, it definitely was an experience and I know where the bar is set right now and where the best players are at,” said US midfielder Mix Diskerud. “Going forward, and playing this game against Ireland, I know and the rest of the players as well, where the highest tempo is and how it should be played.”
It's all part of the process to help the USA's less experienced players, who will feature prominently on the road to Russia 2018, to get to the "next level." That includes a player like Matt Besler, the Sporting Kansas City defender who had to endure the "toughest camp of my entire life" in the lead-up to Brazil 2014.
“I observed a lot of stuff going on with everyone; a little bit of ups and downs, a down period here and there. But they have to learn to deal with that. It’s okay to have a couple of bad weeks, but as long as you hang in there and have the right attitude you come out of that,” Klinsmann said in response to a question about Besler's hectic year.
“I think the whole year, 2014, has been a tremendous experience for our players and especially for all our players who played in their first World Cup. It has cast a totally different ball game.”
One player who is questionable for Tuesday’s game, however, is forward Rubio Rubin. The Oregon native was under the weather and missed practice on Monday, although US Soccer says he still might feature against Ireland.
In other news, US stalwart Steve Cherundolo was invited to join the coaching staff in camp in Dublin. Cherundolo appeared in 87 games for the US team before he called it a career earlier this year, and currently coaches the U-15 side for his former club, Hannover 96 in Germany.
