U.S. National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes that LA Galaxy striker Gyasi Zardes is in for a challenge when he and the rest of the USMNT faces Brazil on Tuesday.
Facing world powers is nothing new for Zardes who scored his first international goal against the Netherlands during earlier in the year, however, Klinsmann says that the Galaxy striker, and the rest of the USMNT must be on their game -- mentally and physically -- when they face Brazil.
"Games like these are really crucial in terms of psychological preparation and have an understanding on how important the mental side is in our game. Believing that you can play against the best in the world, and do well against the best in the world," Klinsmann said. "To build this understanding and feeling is very important, and you only get that if you play them. if you don't play them then you don't know if you can compete with those guys. This learning curve means a lot. ... If you have too much respect for them then you can really get crushed because they sense that right away."
