"We discussed it before the draw that there would be some problems on the traveling side, and we hit the worst of the worst," Klinsmann said in a USsoccer.com quote sheet. "From a traveling point of view, we have the furthest distance to travel with our team. But we’ll deal with it with a smile on our face and we’re going to attack.”
"We had the single easiest travel logistics in South Africa as we were the only country out of 32 that didn’t have to fly in the first round," said U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati. "This stuff balances out.”
But what's everyone so concerned about? The USMNT's MLS-based players think that dealing with high temperatures, humidity, and long travel is something they're already accustomed to.
"It’s not an issue for us," Sporting KC central defender Matt Besler told reporters at Friday's draw party at Sporting Park. "We travel all the time in MLS play and even in CONCACAF [Champions League], we travel pretty far. For us, we see it as an advantage because we’re used to it.”
RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who faces Besler in MLS Cup 2013 on Saturday (4 pm ET on ESPN, UniMas, RDS, TSN2), believes that the US could have an edge over European side Portugal on June 22, 2014.
“Against the European teams it is an advantage, I think so," Beckerman told reporters. "Europe is about 50 degrees with a little mist and we’re used to playing Dallas in July and Houston no matter when it is, it’s hot. So I think there could be advantages."
SKC midfielder Graham Zusi agreed: “It’d be nice to get Germany in some 100-degree weather. Definitely."
