Just filling in some blanks here on Jurgen Klinsmann’s suspension for Sunday, when the U.S. manager must vacate his usual post on the sidelines due to his outburst late in Wednesday’s semifinals.
I have put in calls to the U.S. staff in Chicago, seeking clarification on what, exactly, a coaching suspension means. (Check back; I will update ASAP with the answers.)
These look different across various leagues and tournament. Sometimes managers may be in the stands, but other times they are restricted to the suite areas. Also in question, whether the U.S. manager may be in the locker room before Sunday’s contest and during halftime.
Also, there will be questions about whether Klinsmann may be in communication with the bench during Sunday’s match at Soldier Field.
Presumably, top assistant Martin Vasquez will run the match in Klinsmann’s absence. (Update: Klinsmann said Saturday that Vasquez Andi Herzog will share in-game responsibilities.)
We do have some details to share about the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee that made Friday’s decision. Here is the full list of committee members:
Chairman: Alfredo Hawit (Honduras); Vice Chair: Ariel Alvarado (Panama); Members: David Sabir (Bermuda), Peter Campbell (Cayman Islands), Luis Hernandez (Cuba), Carlos Mendez (El Salvador), Jose Ernesto Mejia (Honduras), Enrique Bonilla (Mexico), Rolando Lopez (Nicaragua), Lincoln Sutherland (Jamaica) and Mike Edwards (United States).
There is truly some unfortunate circumstance going on here for the United States. Because the committee is chaired by a man whose team was eliminated Wednesday during the match in question. And it is vice-chaired by a man from the country the United States will meet on Sunday.
Bummer! Talk about the bad luck.
Oh, don’t forget that Klinsmann was ordered off the sidelines by a referee from the country, Costa Rica, that is pretty hacked off at the United States – and probably will be for some time. Or, have we already forgotten about that surreal Snow Clasico?
