Jurgen Klinsmann is tired of the whining and the excuses. As his own seat as head of the U.S. men's soccer team grows warmer -- and fans get fed up with the downward trajectory of a once-promising team -- Klinsmann's temper is starting to flare, and his frustrations are boiling to the surface.
The latest example: Klinsmann sent Fabian Johnson home from the USMNT camp after Johnson asked to be removed from the match against Mexico.
In the 111th minute -- the second overtime of the match -- Johnson said he felt tightening in a muscle and didn't want to risk an injury. That fearful mentality didn't sit well with Klinsmann, particularly after the team gave up a goal in the 118th minute, losing the big showdown against its North American rival.
"I had a very severe word with Fabian Johnson, and I sent him home today," said Klinsmann, according to For The Win. "He said he couldn't go anymore and I reacted to it and obviously made the substitution. But he just feared to get possibly an injury, but he was not injured in that moment. He got all stiffened up.
"It's a muscle issue. That's normal. In a situation like that, little things often make a difference."
It's easy to look at Klinsmann's decision as a frustrated reaction to the state of his team. After advancing to the knockout round in the 2014 World Cup, the American side has been inconsistent and, at times, downright disappointing.
After knocking off the Netherlands and Germany in shocking upsets earlier this year, the USMNT had a disappointing showing in the Gold Cup, losing to Jamaica for the first time ever, and in the semifinals.
Now, the loss to Mexico eliminates the U.S. from the Confederations Cup. Overall, Klinsmann has been at the helm for four years, and the team doesn't seem very far advanced from the team he inherited in 2011.
Of course, there are other things to consider than merely the performance of the national team. The U.S. under Klinsmann is making greater strides in its youth development efforts, which should produce better talent in the future. But that's of no help right now, and the under-23 team is jeopardy of not qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. Instead, Klinsmann is struggling to deliver results and finding himself at odds with some of his players.
"You have to move on," Klinsmann said of Johnson. "So [Johnson] is going home after we had a talk. And he can rethink his approach toward his team."
In other words, Klinsmann wants more from his team -- and he's sent a strong message to Johnson in particular. But U.S. fans want more from the team, too, and they're expecting Klinsmann to deliver those results.
If things don't turn around soon, the rhetoric on all sides is going to get ugly.
