Klinsmann believes US Soccer made progress before his firing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurgen Klinsmann is proud of his half-decade in charge of the U.S. national team, and he believes he left successor Bruce Arena in a position to make the Americans even better.

Klinsmann made his first public remarks since his firing when he spoke Friday at a convention of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in Los Angeles. Klinsmann agreed to speak at the session before losses in the first two games of the final round of World Cup qualifying led to his dismissal.

Klinsmann says "we achieved a lot within the system of U.S. Soccer," including the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup title and a spot in the second round of the 2014 World Cup.

Klinsmann was fired by the U.S. Soccer Federation on Nov. 21 after 5 1/2 years. Arena opened the first training camp of his second stint in charge this week.