Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Klinsmann hopes US mentality changes in Copa knockout stage
Share This Post
Comments
Sunday, June 12, 2016 - 6:30pm

PHILADELPHIA — Jurgen Klinsmann wants a transformed mentality when the United States opens the knockout phase of the Copa America on Thursday.

"The whole old story is the underdog story, and I cannot hear that story anymore," the U.S. coach said. "I want to see them risk things. Let's go for it. Because if you're not going for it, sooner or later they're going to break you down."

After beating Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday night despite playing nearly the entire second half a man down, the U.S. won Group A on goal difference over Colombia and advanced to a quarterfinal in Seattle against Ecuador.

The Americans still can be timid at times against soccer powers. Although they have won exhibitions at Italy, Germany and the Netherlands in recent years, they struggled to maintain possession. And when the U.S. played Belgium in the second round of the 2014 World Cup, the Americans extended the game to extra time only because of goalkeeper Tim Howard's outstanding play.

Klinsmann won the 1990 World Cup with West Germany and the 1996 European Championship with Germany, spending 15 years with high-level clubs.

"Knockout stage is very mental driven," he said. "It's when you step on the field and you see certain jerseys, it's kind of sniffing at each other and saying: 'I'm ready for you.'"

Aside from the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Americans' only knockout stage wins in competitive events have been over Mexico in the second round of the 2002 World Cup, against Spain in the semifinals of the 2009 Confederations Cup and over Mexico on penalty kicks in the 1995 Copa America quarterfinals.

They've lost World Cup knockout games against Brazil (1994), Germany (2002), Ghana (2010) and Belgium (2014), plus Confederations Cup semifinals versus Saudi Arabia (1992) and Mexico (1999) and a Copa America semifinal against Brazil (1995).

In the 2009 Confederations Cup final, they wasted a two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss to Brazil. (They're also 1-2 in Confederations Cup third-place matches.)

"What we would love to see is just that they become more confident and courageous to take the game to those big teams and not playing just counter break football," Klinsmann said.

For the first time since the 1930 World Cup and only the second time ever, the U.S. has started the same 11 players in three consecutive games. That streak will end because right back DeAndre Yedlin is suspended after receiving two yellow cards in a 57-second span against Paraguay starting in the 47th minute.

Yedlin said through the U.S. Soccer Federation on Sunday that the first infraction came on what he thought was "a fair 50-50 tackle" and he was very surprised to receive the yellow card.

On the second play, he said, "I came in too fast and my foot slipped, and it probably looked like I tried to two-foot the guy."

"This was an understandable yellow," he added. "It was just unfortunate that there was the call a minute before."

Yedlin watched the rest of the game from the locker room as his teammates protected the lead with 10 men. He called their performance "unbelievable."

"It's tough because if something happened where the team doesn't go through, I would have put the blame on myself," he said.

Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, John Brooks, Fabian Johnson, Jermaine Jones, Michael Orozco and Bobby Wood have single yellow cards, and for each of them, another one Thursday would result in a suspension for the semifinal, should the U.S. advance. Orozco is likely to take Yedlin's spot on the back line.

"I think that we could possibly do something special here," said Clint Dempsey, who has scored in two straight matches. "So hopefully we keep building upon that and we can get the job done the next game."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Get fired up for Warriors-Cavaliers Game 6
Morning Minute: Giants sweep; A's fall; Warriors look to close out Cavs
Gray offers what he learned from outing vs Rangers
Melvin: 'Pretty shocking' to see Gray cough up lead vs Rangers

Giants

Hall of Famer Joe Torre becomes general manager for Team USA
Giants sign old friend Jean Machi to minor league contract
David Wright having neck surgery in CA, future in jeopardy
Rewind: Cueto picks up 10th win as Giants clinch sweep
Read More

Athletics

A's break up no-hitter in ninth, fall to Rangers 5-1
A's lineup: Lefties Vogt, Muncy return vs Rangers righty
Rewind: Gray's meltdown leaves him looking for solution
Instant Replay: Rangers crush four home runs, storm past A's
Read More

Sharks

Anze Kopitar made LA Kings' new captain after Brown loses job
Sharks lack high picks headed into 2016 NHL draft
What they’re saying: Sharks thank fans after big season
Wilson re-establishes Sharks as one of NHL's elite
Read More

49ers

Hayne: Kelly's playbook would've taken too much time to master
Report: 49ers show 'preliminary interest' in Eugene Monroe
Details emerge in death of imprisoned ex-49ers RB Phillips
49ers training camp schedule
Read More

Raiders

Del Rio: Hayden can 'peel labels off,' reinvent himself
Raiders minicamp observations: New leaders 'stepping forward'
Raiders QB Carr 'honored, very thankful' for Favre comparisons
Raiders minicamp observations: Cooper, Smith in 'chess game'
Read More

Warriors

Kerr's message prior to Game 6: 'No heroics necessary'
COMING UP: Warriors vs Cavs
2016 NBA Playoff Pool: A look at the money distribution
Ex-Cavaliers coach David Blatt: 'I can't watch the Finals'
Read More

NCAA

Goff signs contract with Los Angeles Rams
Stanford's Quantrill picked 8th overall in MLB draft by Padres
Ex-Stanford swimmer to leave jail early after sexual assault conviction
Two years after taking Cal job, Martin finally signs contract
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Hall of Famer Joe Torre becomes general manager for Team USA
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy evaluates Cueto after 10th win: 'Great effort from the start'
Bochy evaluates Cueto after 10th win: 'Great effort from the start'
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's break up no-hitter in ninth, fall to Rangers 5-1
(3)
Associated Press

A's VIDEO

Gray offers what he learned from outing vs Rangers
Gray offers what he learned from outing vs Rangers
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Gray's meltdown leaves him looking for solution
  • Instant Replay: Rangers crush four home runs, storm past A's
  • Notes: Henderson Alvarez could be nearing A's debut
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Anze Kopitar made LA Kings' new captain after Brown loses job
Associated Press

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks' dream season ends short in Stanley Cup Final
Highlights: Sharks' dream season ends short in Stanley Cup Final
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Kerr's message prior to Game 6: 'No heroics necessary'
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Get fired up for Warriors-Cavaliers Game 6
Get fired up for Warriors-Cavaliers Game 6
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Kerr's message prior to Game 6: 'No heroics necessary'
  • 2016 NBA Playoff Pool: A look at the money distribution
  • Bogut: 'Thought I blew out my knee'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

DeMarcus Cousins: 'This is the year we turn it around'
(3)
James Ham

Kings Video

STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Hayne: Kelly's playbook would've taken too much time to master
(7)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Hayne: Kelly's playbook would've taken too much time to master
  • 49ers training camp schedule
  • Hyde figures to become 49ers' first dual threat since 2010
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Del Rio: Hayden can 'peel labels off,' reinvent himself
(2)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Carr: 'Just trying to take control as much as I can'
Carr: 'Just trying to take control as much as I can'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Quakes ousted from US Open Cup with 2-0 loss to Timbers
(1)
Julio Lara

More Stories

Copa America Stunner: Peru beats Brazil 1-0 on controversial goal
Klinsmann hopes US mentality changes in Copa knockout stage
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Gray's meltdown leaves him looking for solution
(5)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants sign old friend Jean Machi to minor league contract
(8)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Hayne: Kelly's playbook would've taken too much time to master
(7)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Del Rio: Hayden can 'peel labels off,' reinvent himself
(2)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Kerr's message prior to Game 6: 'No heroics necessary'
See more >

JAMES HAM

DeMarcus Cousins: 'This is the year we turn it around'
(3)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks lack high picks headed into 2016 NHL draft
(3)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Warriors reveal no impending doom Cavs hoped to see

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Get fired up for Warriors-Cavaliers Game 6
Get fired up for Warriors-Cavaliers Game 6
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California