Jurgen Klinsmann: U.S. aiming for semifinal in 2018 World Cup
U.S. men's national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann told NBC Sports Wednesday that his goal for the team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia is to reach the semifinal.
The United States has never reached a World Cup semifinal. The farthest the team has reached was an appearance in the quarterfinals in 2002.
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At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the U.S. lost to Belgium in the Round of 16 after advancing out of a group stage that many considered to be the toughest in the tournament.
"I was left kind of with that feeling that once you get out of the most difficult group in the World Cup, you should go further than just the Round of 16," Klinsmann told NBC.
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Klinsmann said he thought a semifinal berth was possible for his team in Brazil, which is why it will be the goal for 2018. He said he knows it will take "a lot of work" and competition, but that the team has four years to prepare.
The USA is playing in its first match since the World Cup on Wednesday with a friendly versus the Czech Republic.
- Molly Geary
