92513_klinsmannjurgen_isi_usmntjt090913132 John Todd/isiphotos.com
9.25.13

ASN Morning Read: Jurgen Battles the Wash

The United States national team manager tells a story about how an Italian washing machine explains the world; the New York Red Bulls are in fine form; an 18-year-old talent takes the field.
BY Noah Davis Posted
September 25, 2013
8:34 AM
  • Jurgen Klinsmann is all about adapting to situations: “In Italy I had my own apartment and I was all kind of hyper… So my washing machine broke. I called and I said I need someone to come and fix it. They said, no problem. We’re there tomorrow at 10 o’clock. Nobody showed up. Another day, nobody showed up. Three days later someone showed up and fixed my washing machine. And I was furious. I was a German. So I told the story to my teammates. My teammates at the time included Walter Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi, Giuseppe Baresi. World Cup winners. They told me, ‘Jurgen, if you don’t learn the way we live the life. If you don’t adjust to it, you’re in big trouble.’ You better adjust yourself to the way people are, or you go crazy. So I made that decision, wherever I go, and I went from Italy to France, to England, now here—I learned to take people the way they are and respect who they are."

  • Brian Straus goes long on Mike Petke and the New York Red Bulls. The head coach, who has a charming way of answering his own questions, isn't settling: "Just look at our next game in Seattle. Probably 60,000 fans there and a team that’s in phenomenal form right now on prime-time TV—ESPN. I mean, if we win this game, have we arrived? No. We're a bad four games away from not making the playoffs. No matter what, tides turn very quickly. To talk about the Supporters Shield for myself and my players is very ill-advised and very premature."

  • Jozy Altidore went 85 "threatening" minutes in Sunderland's 2-0 Capitol One Cup win over Peterborough. He did not score. Brad Friedel extended his shutout streak to 357 minutes.

  • American teenager Duane Holmes made his professional debut for Huddersfield Town on Tuesday against Hull City when he came as a 2nd half sub. “I was pleased with a number of our younger lads, and Duane in particular,” head coach Mark Robins said. "He showed the kind of bright spark I was looking for and carved out a few opportunities for himself." (h/t Brian Sciaretta, obviously)

  • Will Packwood, on the mend:
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