Direct from Sarajevo
Tuesday Coaching: The U.S. Braces Itself for Bosnia
ASN correspondent Graham Ruthven checks in with a report from the second day of coaching, together with a set of smartphone images to assist set the stage for Wednesday’s pleasant towards Bosnia.
ASN Slideshow
BY
Graham Ruthven
Posted
August 13, 2013
9:15 PM
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SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina—Jurgen Klinsmann and the USA males’s soccer workforce carried out its last coaching session forward of Wednesday’s pleasant fixture towards Bosnia, getting acclimated to Kosevo Stadium, the place the sport will likely be performed.
I had already familiarized myself with the venue the night time earlier than (albeit by accident), and now it was the American workforce’s flip to expertise the house of FK Sarajevo. (Though for them the gates had been open.)
Whereas the U.S. has struggled with suspicious enjoying surfaces just lately (most notably in Dallas for the Gold Cup semi-final), I anticipate no such issues in Sarajevo. The sector appeared immaculate as I walked around the working observe that traces the perimeter—one thing that would assist Klinsmann’s model of quick, possession-rich soccer.
Earlier than its warm-up, the workforce was joined by 30 disabled kids from the charity basis “It’s about ability,” and the U.S. ambassador for Bosnia additionally joined in for a genuinely good picture alternative.
I grabbed Jozy Altidore and Sacha Kljestan for a chat earlier than the beginning of the session, angering a relatively sizable contingent of native journalists by poaching the previous for myself. Because the Bosnian media sulked, Altidore requested me the place I’m from. “Scotland,” I replied. “Man that’s a cool accent,” he informed me. That’s occurring my resume.
My interview with the Sunderland ahead was minimize somewhat shorter than I’d’ve favored, however solely as a result of Klinsmann may very well be heard calling Altidore over into the group.
Because the final remaining media member on the sidelines as Klinsmann’s session kicked into gear, I used to be kindly informed to “get the hell outta here.” I did what I used to be informed.
