Embattled Klinsmann '1,000 percent sure' U.S. will reach World Cup

The knives were out for Jurgen Klinsmann after he guided the United States national team to consecutive losses to begin the fifth round - or "the Hex" - of CONCACAF World Cup qualification.

A 2-1 loss to Mexico in Columbus was further compounded by a 4-0 trouncing in Costa Rica last Tuesday, results that left the U.S. propping up the bottom of the table thanks to a worse goal difference than Trinidad and Tobago.

There were rumors that Klinsmann was to face the music on Thursday, but the alleged meeting with United States Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati was called off as, according to Sam Stejskal of MLSsoccer, Klinsmann was off to a state dinner with Barack Obama and Angela Merkel. It was at this gathering that the German won more backing over his position.

"It's important to put this in the right perspective," Klinsmann told Reuters' Erik Kirschbaum. "We lost the two opening games and played the two best teams right away. We have eight more games to get the points needed to qualify. We've always reacted strongly when things were nerve-wracking.

"This team is always capable of reacting. We'll correct this with the two games in March (against Honduras and in Panama) and we'll take one game at a time from there to get our points. I'm 1,000 percent sure we'll qualify."

He added on his tete-a-tete with departing president Obama: "He said, 'Coach, it didn't go well in Costa Rica, but it's only the start of the World Cup qualifying and you'll get back on the right track.'

"He understands that it's a long qualifying process. He also understands dynamics of soccer as a global sport and how it builds bridges."

This isn't the first time Klinsmann's role with the national team has been questioned. His tactical tweaks during matches has been dubious to say the least, and the 3-0 loss to Quatemala in March was a particularly large blemish on his record.

"When things go slightly wrong, there are some people who come out and are ready to chop your head off," he continued. "In the long run, that’s going to make the development of the team difficult. It’s important to stay calm and be patient.

"There are definitely issues to be addressed but there is no reason to exaggerate them or panic."

The timing of the downturn in form has coincided with an era when supporters are legitimately excited at what Klinsmann has at his disposal. Jozy Altidore is banging in the goals at Toronto FC, Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic is one of the most talented Europe-based youngsters, and plenty of other camp regulars - like John Brooks - are playing at the highest level in their respective countries of employment.

Klinsmann is confident the two results are a mere blip, rather than a drawn-out spell of underachievement that could cost a spot in Russia in 2018.

"I’ve been doing this for 35 years and there are always many reasons why certain things happen, both positively and negatively," said Klinsmann.

"It’s important to have the end result in mind. And the big picture is the overall development of the team in the four-year cycle between two World Cups. You have to be ready to take some setbacks during that phase."