By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been banned from Sunday’s Gold Cup final against Panama, CONCACAF’s showpiece fixture, after being sent off in the semifinal for dissent. The former German international striker, who managed his country at the 2006 World Cup, was dismissed in the 87th-minute of Wednesday’s 3-1 semifinal win over Honduras and incurred a one-match ban.
“Mr. Klinsmann was ejected from the technical area for showing dissent towards the referee by throwing the ball in a violent manner during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match against Honduras on July 24, 2013, in Arlington, Texas,” a CONCACAF statement read. An incensed Klinsmann reacted to a two-man challenge on his skipper DaMarcus Beasley, tossing the ball at the ground in frustration. He could earlier be seen gesturing angrily when a number of Honduran fouls went unpunished.
“It was just a reaction out of frustration, because fouls have added up throughout the last half an hour,” Klinsmann explained later. “Then came this foul … with two guys coming into him from behind, and I just kind of over-boiled it.”
Klinsmann, who cannot appeal the decision, acknowledged he had overstepped the mark. “I apologize for that reaction. It was not meant against the referee, against nobody, because you feel for the health of your player in that moment.” Klinsmann’s assistants – Martin Vasquez and Andreas Herzog, aided by former US keeper Kasey Keller – will take charge on Sunday for the final at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The match is sold out.
Ironically, the last time the United States faced Panama in the final, in 2005, then-coach Bruce Arena was also suspended for his actions in the semifinal, coincidentally also against Honduras.
Panama defeated the two times reigning champions Mexico to progress to the final. The US are appearing in their fifth consecutive Gold Cup final - they have won the tournament four times.
“I don’t think it changes too much,” said Beasley. “It’s always good to have him on the bench, but he’ll give his wisdom before the game … make sure we get off on the right foot. But it’s not going to be the same not seeing his face on the sideline, giving us instructions when we need it and being the enthusiastic person that he is on the bench. Especially, when we score or he needs to tell us something if we need to change something.”
“I got hit three, four times in somewhat the same sequence, and they didn’t call anything but a foul. So I could understand his frustration. I was frustrated.”
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