In this week’s Hinton Unleashed video, Prost Amerika pundit Alan Hinton sang the praises of USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, criticized Swedish National Team head coach Pia Sundhage for her comments about three of her former USWNT players, the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and outrage at the officials calling last weekend’s Sporting Kansas City and Seattle Sounders FC match.
USMNT wins over the Dutch and Germany
“Klinsmann’s now got a stable full of young strikers…Altidore’s got to watch his step because these young boys are after him.”
Hinton, a long-time critic of Klinsmann, was impressed by the USMNT head coach’s mentality to go for the win rather than settling for a draw against the Dutch and Germans.
The former First Division winger also noted the outstanding play by midfielder Michael Bradley in both matches, and the increasing number of young players vying for the striker slot currently held by Jozy Altidore: Juan Agudelo, Aron Johannson, Jordan Morris and Bobby Wood.
Pia Sundhage rips into former players
“Pia was a popular coach, even though she was a dictator…She needs to concentrate on the Swedish team now.”
Hinton commented on Pia Sundhage, the current head coach of the Swedish National Team, as her side prepares for a critical Women’s World Cup matchup against the USWNT on Friday.
Sundhage coached the U.S. women from 2008 to 2012, but felt the need in a recent New York Times article to share her thoughts on Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach.
Continued growing interest in soccer
“A lot of parents are switching their kids from football to ‘real football,’ which is soccer.”
The ratings for the Women’s World Cup game between the U.S. and Australia drew an audience of 3.3 million viewers. Hinton reflected on the reasons for the increasing ratings and participants in soccer.
He thought fans were getting fed up with the NFL’s deflation scandal and the risk of concussions. Parents were now opting for a safer alternative–“real football”/soccer.
Officials “robbed” Sounders
“The Sounders got robbed…This was shocking refereeing.”
Hinton didn’t spare any words in lashing out at the officials who called the Sporting Kansas City 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC.
First, Lamar Neagle’s goal was ruled offside by the linesman. Second, the referee called a foul on Sounders FC keeper Stefan Frei in an attempt to clear a ball inside the box in the dying minutes of the game.
