This afternoon, Sunil Gulati, President of the US soccer federation, announced the hiring of former German coach and World Cup winner, Jurgen Klinsmann, to be the next coach of the US men’s national team.

Not long after the defeat at the hands of Mexico in the Gold Cup, and after an overall questionable performance throughout the tournament, now with about two weeks before a rematch in Philadelphia, the US had to make a change.

Before the Gold Cup, it had seemed that former coach Bob Bradley has gotten the most out of the team that he could, winning the group at the World Cup for the first time since 1950. Coming in second at the Confederations Cup and winning the 2007 Gold Cup. He has quite a resume in his five year tenure.

It could be argued that only three coaches have had better success on the world stage, being Vicente Del Bosque (Winner of Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup), Dunga (2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup winner) and Jochim Low (strong showings at all levels in European competition.)

Klinsmann’s knowledge of the game will be the most important thing he brings to this US side. He has played at the top level in Europe for both club and country. His understanding of how the game is played globally will benefit the team very well. With 2010 and the Gold Cup well behind them, It’s time to regroup and use that knowledge and focus on qualifying for 2014.

With the rise of Chicharito and his Mexican team’s performance, the US will at the least have one constant contender in CONCACAF. With only three qualifying spots on the line, the US cannot afford to make too many mistakes.

Being one of the higher seeded teams based on past performance in CONCACAF, the US has sometime before they have to start qualifying, which gives Klinsmann time to use the next three friendlies (Mexico, Costa Rica and Belgium) to start to find a squad that can compete at the highest level.

Klinsmann coming onto the scene has a team with a lot of players still on the right side of 30 that has proven after the second place finish at the Confederations Cup, the bar has been raised for the US. They have proven they can play with the top dogs and need to continue to play with that competitive edge.

Klinsmann will bring a bit more of respectability to the squad as well. His track record speaks for its self. His legacy mixed with the potential success of the United States the current 30^th world ranking will be a thing of the past.

This is the kind of steps that the US needs to take to make a real run at a World Cup. I will be at his testimonial in Philadelphia, as well as many other American fans to see the beginning of what should be a very bright future of US soccer program.

More will be known when a press conference is held with Klinsmann in New York on August 1^st.