UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Wednesday night’s game against Mexico will be Jurgen Klinsmann’s debut as the coach of the US. While Red Bulls goalkeeper Frank Rost has never played alongside Klinsmann as a teammate, and didn’t get any of his four caps with Germany while Klinsmann was coach, he says the change for the United States will be good.
“I think he will change some things, what I don’t really know,” Rost said. “But he understands the Americans — he’s lived here a long time.”
Rost, though he has been in MLS for just a month, is already echoing many of the same sentiments as Klinsmann about the future of the game in the United States. A youth movement is key, he says.
“There [are] in MLS many good, young players,” Rost said. “But making the jump from college, where you play three months, to the professional level is very tough. Going from the academy to the first team is difficult here. They need to help the young players more.”
Rost will be watching Klinsmann’s debut on television on Wednesday night and will likely be viewing Red Bulls teammates Juan Agudelo and Tim Ream play against Mexico. El Tri will very probably be captained by another teammate, Red Bulls defender Rafa Márquez.
“It is a friendly but playing against the United States is always special,” Marquez said, adding that the recent Gold Cup final, a 4-2 win by Mexico changes the rivalry a bit. “We want to build on that."
Márquez was keenly aware of the Klinsmann announcement and s watching for an improved US side beginning on Wednesday night.
“He has much experience as a player and as a coach,” Márquez said. “I think he can help the United States.”
Kristian R. Dyer can be followed at twitter.com/KristianRDyer
