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"Jürgen Klinsmann did a lot for US soccer" - Eintracht Frankfurt's Timmy Chandler

05.01.2019

Jürgen Klinsmann changed the face of US soccer for the better during his five-year stint as USMNT coach, according to Eintracht Frankfurt defender Timmy Chandler.

After taking charge in 2011, Klinsmann opened the door for German-American dual nationals such as John Brooks, Fabian Johnson and Chandler to play for the USA.

He won the CONCACAF Gold Cup and was named CONCACAF Coach of the Year in 2013, and led the Stars and Stripes to the FIFA 2014 World Cup Round of 16.

The former Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart striker also handed Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic his senior international debut, before being replaced by Bruce Arena in November 2016 after the USA missed out on 2018 World Cup qualification.

A USA squad boasting the likes of John Brooks, Timmy Chandler and Fabian Johnson exited the 2014 World Cup following an extra-time defeat to Belgium. - 2014 Getty Images

'Klinsmann made soccer more popular'

"Over the last five to six years, soccer has become more important in the USA, mainly thanks to Jürgen Klinsmann," Chandler, who won all 29 of his USA caps to date under Klinsmann, told DAZN.

"He did a lot for soccer, changed a lot of things and worked hard to make the sport more popular. His life was all about football. We travelled a lot within the country and tried to play as many games as possible in different places and organise training camps to be close to the fans."

It's over two years since Timmy Chandler last played for the USA. - 2016 Getty Images

Chandler hoping for USA recall

Chandler, born in Frankfurt to an American serviceman and German mother, hasn't represented the national team since Klinsmann's dismissal. He'll be 32 when World Cup 2022 rolls around and acknowledges he might not get another chance, but hasn't given up hope yet.

"When they call me up for the national team, I'm there," he said earlier this summer. "Of course I miss it. I see all the players go to their national teams, and I want to fly to the States and play for my country. But the coach decides who plays, and I just wait for him to call me."

Dortmund's Christian Pulisic is widely seen as the best soccer player the USA has ever produced. - 2018 Getty Images

'Pulisic can achieve big things'

Regardless of his own involvement, Chandler is confident the USA's up-and-coming crop will make amends for missing out on Russia 2018 by qualifying for the 2022 edition in Qatar. There's also the little matter of co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico four years later.

"Missing the World Cup was very unlucky, a major setback, but I have little doubt the USA will bounce back and qualify for the next tournament," the 28-year-old said. "American soccer has so much potential, the possibilities are endless."

Among the key exponents of the USA's next generation are young Bundesliga-based talents Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Pulisic and Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), players Chandler believes can go on to enjoy great success for club and country.

"Pulisic has the abilities to play on the biggest stage," Chandler continued. "But like other young players, he will have to prove himself in every game and always work hard. If he does just that, he can achieve some big things."

Chandler nearing Frankfurt return

Chandler, who is just eight games short of his 200th Bundesliga appearance, has not played this season due to a serious knee injury. The 2018 DFB Cup winner returned to first-team training at the turn of the year, however, and could be involved when Frankfurt resume their Bundesliga campaign at home to Freiburg on 19 January.

"I'm not putting any pressure on myself," Chandler told Frankfurt's official TV channel after beginning individual training in November. "I want to get back to 100 per cent, so I can be considered for selection again. It's never easy being out for so long and watching the guys on TV, but I'm working hard and am delighted to be on the way back."

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