SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In his efforts to move American soccer along, Jurgen Klinsmann has underscored the importance of the U.S. men’s national team testing itself against greater competition.
Geography, however, creates limitations. World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup involve opponents from a regional sect that the United States and Mexico have ruled for 25 years. One gains only so much from matches against El Salvador and Jamaica.
Beyond CONCACAF’s borders, the opportunity to play up a level rests with the World Cup every fourth year, with inconsequential friendlies and, on rare occasion, pop-up tournaments.