2014 World Cup - The German - Klinsmann Factor

After Thursday's USA v Germany World Cup match, America's National Team Manager - Jurgen Klinsmann will fall into one category. Hero or Villain.

 

Klinsmann was a world class striker and a World Cup winner in 1990.

 

1990 Panini Germany Team sticker - missing Klinsmann

 

1990 Panini World Cup sticker - Klinsmann

 

Klinsmann appeared in Upper Deck's World Cup USA'94 set. However, none of the German players were in the regular issue, but only the limited edition hologram set of 5 cards.

 

Klinsmann (bottom left) in the strange Upper Deck hologram sub set.

 

Jurgen made his 3rd World Cup tournament in 1998 in France, but the German side was a shadow of its Championship caliber.

 

Klinsmann led Germany as Manager to a 3rd place finish when the nation hosted the 2006 Tournament. He took over the US National Team over 2 years ago.

 

He has recruited several German-born players who have American servicemen as fathers. The five that made this US squad -

 

Jermaine Jones

John Brooks (aka Johnny Futbol)

Fabian Johnson

Timothy Chandler

Julian Green

 

Brooks heroics in the first game - coming on as a substitute and scoring the winning goal was a dream (literally) and was dubbed "Johnny Fussball" by the German media.

 

Klinsmann's tactics have been successful to a certain extent (like Brooks sub / goal) but his insertion of a several defenders and a conservative line up against Portugal may have cost the Americans a victory.

 

He took criticism for stating that the USA could not win the world cup.

 

Just a thought to keep in mind - there were many British-born citizens that helped America win independence from England. Let's hope these "Das Yankees" can do the same on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Here's to The Old Guys and A 20-Goal Season

Trivia Time: Who is the oldest player to score a goal in the FIFA World Cup ?

Thanks to this British card set (A QUESTION OF SPORT) for the answer -

Yes. ROGER MILLA. The 42 year old Cameroon International first appeared for the Lions in the 1982 World Cup.

He also appeared in the 1994 world Cup here in the USA where he set the record for the oldest players to score a goal in the world Cup.

He scored 4 goals in the 1990 Tournament in Italy leading Cameroon to its best finish ever.

His most memorable goal came after stealing the ball from Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita and shooting from 35 yards to put his country into the semi-finals.

His was one of the first trade-mark celebrations - running to the corner flag and dancing.

Immortalized here in a statue made by the Fanatico Football Figure Co. in the UK.

Not only do I own this Limited Edition statue, but I also picked up Milla's rookie in the 1982 Panini World Cup sticker set along with the above Question of Sport card.

Here's to the old guys !

Major League Soccer has not had a 20-goal scorer since 2008 when Landon Donovan got exactly 20. 

This season there is a guy on course to reach 20 and ... dare I say it, break the all-time season record ?

The San Jose Earthquakes forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI has record an 18-goal and 16-goal seasons in the last two years. This year he already has 17 in 18 games !

Upper Deck card with a crappy band-aid autograph

The record is held by ROY LASSITER who score 26 for Tampa Bay in 1996. 

Wondolowski only score 7 goals in his first 6 season in MLS. So now, at age 29, he is scoring like there is no tomorrow.

Here's to the older guys !

Do you have a favorite "old guy" ? If so, post me here on the blog. If you are inspired to blog about an old guy, send me a link.