Football
ESPN staff 9y

Jurgen Klinsman says 'growing pains' to be expected with new U.S. players

Jurgen Klinsmann says some "growing pains" are to be expected as he introduces new players to the United States squad.

The U.S. fell to Republic of Ireland 4-1 on Tuesday, their second defeat in five days following a 2-1 setback against Colombia in London.

The Americans conclude 2014 on a run of four games without a win, after a pair of 1-1 draws to Ecuador and Honduras in October. It's the longest such streak since Klinsmann took over the squad in 2011.

"We saw a lot of things," Klinsmann said of Tuesday's result. "Some good stuff, some not so good stuff so we will address that obviously with the guys. It finished off a long year in 2014, which overall was a positive year and we are building."

Klinsmann has used the friendlies since the World Cup to integrate relatively new players throughout the squad, including defender Greg Garza, midfielder Alfredo Morales and forward Bobby Wood.

Forward Rubio Rubin, 18, earned his first two caps this week, while Stanford sophomore Jordan Morris made his international debut against Ireland.

And Klinsmann said some setbacks are to be expected while he tries to form his squad that will play in upcoming Gold Cups and the 2018 World Cup.

"The main objective this year was the World Cup and we did a good job overall. After the World Cup this is the time now to bring the youngsters in, to bring a new wave in, and see what you can do. And you do it at the cost of some results.

"When you build a new cycle and introduce new, fresh players into the group then there will be some growing pains along the way -- that is just normal. Obviously you don't want to lose games, absolutely not, but the development of those players does not come without pain."

But Klinsmann wasn't offering excuses for Tuesday's defeat. He also showed his frustration, saying, "We have to get nastier."

Ireland took the lead in the first half before Mix Diskerud equalized, while Fabian Johnson hit the outside of the post and Jozy Altidore smashed a shot against the crossbar.

"We controlled the first half and we should have scored a second goal before going in at halftime," Klinsmann said. "We didn't do it and then we gave away the second goal, and that obviously kind of broke the game." The U.S. were without some top players, including Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, but Klinsmann acknowledged that his remaining veterans need to play better to help along the new class.

"It's something we'll talk about," he said.

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