When U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was ejected by referee Walter Queseda...excuse me, “dismissed”...many initially thought he was automatically suspended for the next match.
CONCACAF originally passed the information to the media that he was indeed suspended, but that turned out to be incorrect. His fate for the final of the Gold Cup would instead be decided by a disciplinary committee.
That committee has decided late Friday to suspend Klinsmann on the grounds that he “threw a ball in a violent manner” during his temper tantrum.
The decision cannot be appealed, meaning Martin Vasquez will coach the Gold Cup final against Panama.
The USMNT has been in this position before. Bruce Arena was dismissed from the 2005 semifinal against Honduras and subsequently missed the final. The Yanks defeated Panama in the final on penalties.
Klinsmann had every right to be furious over the scything tackle of DaMarcus Beasley in the 88th minute, but has nobody to blame but himself for the position he’s put himself and the team in. The USMNT was already into the finals, winning by a scoreline of 3-1, and overreacted given the situation. His captain’s health was a concern, sure, but it was a bit much.
The U.S. coach was apologetic after the match over the incident, and regretted his actions.
“It was just a reaction out of frustration because fouls had added up throughout the last half an hour,” Klinsmann said. “… I just kind of overboiled it. Obviously, you shouldn’t then throw the ball or hit it on the ground. I apologize for that reaction, but it was not meant against the referee, against nobody. It was just frustration because you feel the health of your player [is in jeopardy] in that moment. I apologize for that.”
Hopefully this won’t have a negative affect on the Stars and Stripes come Sunday’s final.