PHOTO: Jurgen Klinsmann writes all of America a permission slip to watch Thursday's game

United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann wants all Americans to watch Thursday's decisive group stage match against Germany, so he wrote the entire nation a note to get everyone out of work.

Now people have a more legitimate excuse than calling in sick with "soccer flu."

The match against Germany could be the difference between advancing to the knockout stage or a group stage exit for the United States, but it is especially important for Klinsmann, who is facing the nation he helped to capture the 1990 World Cup during his playing days.