The United States national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann has said that the younger American players should be working hard in order to get some game time at the senior level. The former Bayern Munich manager was speaking on the occasion of the horrible Under 23 result, which left the German with more questions than answers.

In order to prove his point, Jurgen Klinsmann pointed out to a number of players including the likes of Daniel Sturridge at Chelsea. Klinsmann said that players are not realising the fact that they need to fight in order to earn a place in the squad.

Klinsmann also said that Juan Agudelo approached him a year ago with the request of more game time, but the German replied that the youngster should be working hard in order to reward himself with more game time. Juan Agudelo is finding it difficult to get regular playing time at the New York Red Bulls due to the presence of high profile players like Henry. Klinsmann pointed out to the situation faced by Daniel Sturridge at Chelsea. Even though he is surrounded by high quality players, he still has managed to find himself regularly in the starting line-up.

“Players have to realize that they have to fight their way through the system. Juan Agudelo last year told me that ‘I’d like to play more, I need to play more at New York.’ I told him that you have to train and prove it to coach that he makes you play. Playing time is not something that’s given to you, you have to earn it. Soccer is not a seasonal sport,” Klinsmann told betfair.com regarding the situation faced by the younger players in America.

He also revealed that he is in conversation with the MLS Commissioner Don Garber over the possibility of improving the prospects for young players ahead of the Copa America. The latest online betting odds makes the USA slim favourites to win the competition between the North American countries and the likes of Trinidad and Tobago, and Klinsmann is hopeful of having some fresh faces in the team by then.