Jurgen Klinsmann says "all of Europe is watching" John Brooks after the center-back's standout performance helped the United States hold off Paraguay 1-0 in the Copa America on Saturday.
Clint Dempsey's goal put the U.S. ahead, but two yellow cards for DeAndre Yedlin early in the second half meant Klinsmann's men had to see off nearly 45 minutes with 10 men.
Brooks was a large part of that effort. In the first half, he made a highlight-reel play as he neutralized Paraguay's three-on-one break by himself.
And Klinsmann said European clubs are taking notes of the Hertha Berlin defender's progress as he led the U.S. back line.
"I think John Brooks, with a performance like this, I guess all of Europe is watching that," Klinsmann said. "This is a big statement what he did tonight."
Klinsmann said he was pleased with the 23-year-old's progress since he entered the big stage at the 2014 World Cup and how he come through some down moments in recent months.
"You're just impressed by the learning curve that a younger player goes through and you are just happy for that process," the coach said.
"A year ago, people were very critical of him. And I said, 'He has to have those experiences. He needs to kind of make mistakes in order to grow.' There is no growth without failure for nobody. So he grew, similar to a Yedlin."
But Kilinsmann also joked that he didn't want Brooks to get any wild ideas about his future.
"That performance by John was definitely something special," he said. "But can we keep him grounded please?"
The coach also praised goalkeeper Brad Guzan for "a couple of wonderful saves" and thanked the older players on the squad for leading the team into the quarterfinals.
"You've got to give amazing credit to our veteran players," he said. "Clint, finishing it off, being clinical. Being Clint.
"And Jermaine [Jones] being a warrior all over the field. Michael [Bradley] running I don't know how many [miles]. When you get the stats all the time how much they run. It's a team that really is having a good time and is there for each other.
"The whole bench is right there. No matter who you bring off the bench, they will give everything they have. It's just fun to watch."
Yedlin picked up two bookings for bad fouls in as many minutes soon after half-time, but Klinsmann said he hoped the 22-year-old would learn from his error. "The first reaction is inexperience. He got emotional. He got caught emotionally," Klinsmann said. "He makes the first tackle because he has to make that recovery run. I wasn't sure about the first one. I thought the first one he played the ball. But seeing it, it was a foul. So you can give that yellow.
"Then he just lost his head for a second. And this is why you are young. You've got to give him that benefit of the doubt. You've got to give him that credit and he will learn out of that mistake.
"Cool down for a couple of minutes and just find your path in the game again. But then you've got to make the adjustments. .... They grinded it out."