Jermaine Jones received mixed reviews in his first match for the United States at center back.

Jones said center back is "easier" than his central midfield work, while Jürgen Klinsmann believes it is a way to get a few additional years out of one of his best players.

“We wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a long-term thought to it, definitely,” Klinsmann said. “Two or three years ago at the Azteca, we had [Maurice] Edu play that role, and now Mo is actually playing that role [with his club].”

Klinsmann said defensive midfielders, where Jones plays with the Revs, have a lot of the same attributes as central defenders.

“Obviously, it takes a little bit of time and a little bit of understanding with the other center back and the fullback,” he said. “But Jermaine has played there before – he has played it a couple of times at Schalke and played it at Besiktas, as well. I was not worried about it all.”

Jones is also optimisic about the move.

“I think this position is one of the easiest positions on the field, if you have experience and you can read the game a little bit and you are physical,” said Jones. “And I have no problem to battle in games. That position is easier to play than playing number six.”