Being a goalkeeper is arguably the most unforgiving position in football, but Jonathan Klinsmann couldn’t have asked for a better training partner growing up than his World Cup -winning dad, Jurgen.
Klinsmann, 25, made his first start of the 2023 season, turning out in between the sticks for LA Galaxy against Portland Timbers on Saturday. The shot-stopper replaced first-choice Jonathan Bond in the 24th minute in the 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps on March 19.
Bond is expected to be out for four weeks, handing Klinsmann a rare run of games for Galaxy. He kept a clean sheet in his first start of the 2023 season, and even pulled off a wonder save in the 89th minute, making himself big, to keep the score level.
Klinsmann’s heroics will be welcomed on the West Coast with the record MLS Cup holders getting off to a horrible start in 2023. In four games played, Galaxy are yet to win a game, drawing three and losing one.
Galaxy are a point off playoff place occupants Portland and two off Houston Dynamo. New franchise St Louis City SC top the table with five wins from five, accumulating 15 points.
Klinsmann re-signed with Galaxy late last year on a one-year deal. Galaxy do, however, have an option to extend for a further year and if Klinsmann continues to impress, an extended stay in LA could be on the cards.
The Munich-born goalkeeper is likely to be handed Galaxy’s next outing against Seattle Sounders. A trip to Houston Dynamo may be a game too soon for Bond, too.
Head coach Greg Vanney is confident that Klinsmann could develop into a “high-level goalkeeper”. Should Vanney’s prediction come true, Klinsmann could have an international selection dilemma on his hands.
“Jonathan continues to grow in his development to be a high-level goalkeeper," Vanney said upon re-signing the keeper. “We are pleased to have him back and competing every day to make himself and his teammates better. We look forward to the impact he can have in the team this coming season.”
Klinsmann’s early years
Klinsmann was on the books at Bayern Munich once upon a time. Dad Jurgen played for the German giants between 1995 and 1997.
In 2010, Klinsmann made the switch to the US, joining Pateadores and later Irvine Strikers. He also went on to play for UC Berkeley in 2015. Klinsmann’s time in the US lined up with dad Jurgen’s role as manager of the men’s US national team between 2011 and 2016.
In 2017, Klinsmann joined Hertha Berlin and even made a Europa League appearance in a 1-1 draw with Ostersund the same year. That was his only appearance for the Bundesliga outfit, and he moved onto Swiss side FC St.Gallen in 2019 before joining a Galaxy a year later, where he has turned out 14 times. Klinsmann also represented the US at youth level, turning out for the U18s, U20s and U23s, but he's also eligible for Germany as he's yet to make a senior appearance.
World Cup-winning father
Klinsmann is the oldest of Jurgen’s two children, with sister Laila being just 21. Jurgen was a prolific goal-scorer, netting 282 times in 618 club appearances. He also scored 47 goals in 108 Germany appearances.
The 58-year-old turned out for Stuttgart Kickers, Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Bayern, Monaco, Tottenham and Sampdoria. He won the Uefa Cup with Inter in 1991 and a second with Bayern in 1996. He also won the Bundesliga with Bayern in 1997. Jurgen scored three goals in the run-up to Germany’s 1990 World Cup final win over Argentina in Italy.
Jurgen also had a successful managerial career, taking charge of Germany, Bayern, the US, Hertha and now South Korea.
