The Confederations Cup playoff looms in October, but U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann must focus on answering questions in the September friendlies, writes Ives Galarcep.
Jurgen Klinsmann has to be a little nervous, doesn't he?
We are less than two months away from the U.S. national team's all-important Confederations Cup playoff match against Mexico and, as things stand, the U.S. isn't really in great shape. Several key figures are injured or out of form, and the options behind those players are untested or unidentified at this point. As if coming off a disappointing CONCACAF Gold Cup wasn't enough, there hasn't been much evidence lately to suggest the Americans will be much better when they return to action for a pair of friendlies next month.