Ramos on US Soccer

Mike Woitalla of Soccer America recently caught up with United States Under-20 national team coach Tab Ramos to discuss what are key components in playing for the US now that Jurgen Klinsmann is the head coach.

SA: U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna has talked about the national teams at all levels, from Jurgen Klinsmann’s senior team on down, playing similar styles and in a similar system. How does that affect your task?

TAB RAMOS: We discussed that a lot. I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to go with Jurgen [as assistant coach] on the last few trips and I sort of know what he’s looking for and the type of player he’s looking for.

One of the most important things with this particular team is to win games, to get us to the [U-20] World Cup and to do the best we can.

But at the same time, one of my jobs is to try to develop players so when they get to the senior team they can play the same way we want to play on the senior team.

SA: How would you describe what Klinsmann is looking for?

TAB RAMOS: I’m sure Jurgen would be able to explain that better. But I think it’s pretty clear that he likes the teams to play out of the back. He wants people who are confident on the ball and confident to be able to make a difference in the game.

He wants guys up front who are direct, who want to go for goal, who want to make an impact on the game.

Not that other people aren’t looking for these things, but I think sometimes we find a lot of coaches who may say that’s how they want to play, but when it comes time to play the game -- you find them playing with one forward on top all by himself.

I think this is something Jurgen has been trying to do different. He’s been trying get more people forward. He’s been trying to give confidence to players to make a difference.

And the youth national teams will try not to be any different.