Bradley doppelganger: In a welcome contrast to his predecessor, Jurgen Klinsmann wore his heart on his sleeve during his USMNT coaching debut Wednesday against Mexico (AP Photo).

I have returned (sort of) and so has the USMNT (sort of, too) after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Mexico in Philadelphia.

There’s plenty of room for improvement, especially in the area of connecting strikers and attacking midfielders (all but abandoned striker Edson Buddle looked like Robinson Crusoe out there in the first half), but here are three reasons to be optimistic about the future of the national team in the wake of the game:

*Young blood: Jurgen Klinsmann needs to find the next generation of international class players and if Wednesday’s game is any indication he’s off to a good start.

The new U.S. coach started six players with 12 caps or fewer including defenders Edgar Castillo (making his first national team start at age 24), Michael Orozco Fiscal (25), and Jose Francisco Torres (23), while among the most impressive players on the night were subs Juan Agudelo (who at just age 18 showed yet again he is unafraid to take on opposing defenders), the enigmatic (and yes, I agree with ESPN play by play man Ian Darke with that description) Brek Shea (who at age 21 had his best national team outing by far Wednesday and created the equalizer after being fed by Agudelo) and erratic South Bay product Robbie Rogers (24) who scored the tying goal moments after stepping onto the field.

“It’s great to see some young players stepping into this team and being guided by the experienced ones,” Klinsmann said. “Michael Orozco, [Edgar] Castillo, the way Kyle Beckerman played his No. 6 role in front of the back four was exceptional. The spirit and the energy from the experienced ones like Landon Donovan was fun to watch. It was really enjoyable to see how they then kind of expressed themselves. Robbie Rogers comes on and goes at [Carlos] Salcido like he plays in those big games always. This is what we want in this team. We want them to express themselves and have fun, and I think that’s what we saw.”

*An animated coach: After years of enduring boring Bob Bradley alternating between pensiveness and morose concern on the sideline it was good to see an animated, smiling, enthusiastic Klinsmann urging his players on.

His worst crime was being a little too effusive in praise of his players in a TV interview after the dire first half, but let’s not damn him for that at this early stage of his tenure when players need building up, not tearing down.

And y’know what? His attitude rubbed off:

“I have really enjoyed playing for Jurgen,” Rogers said. “He has a lot of confidence in us, and to get that goal made me feel good.”

Sounds like he had fun; under Bradley you didn’t hear players using the F-word very often (at least not that one).

Defensive stability: The back four looked more confident, less tentative than it has for quite some time. Yes, the U.S. carried on its penchant for giving up an early goal, but Orozco and Castillo were more impressive than veterans Steve Cherundolo (who made several defensive errors) and Carlos Bocanega (who should have scored on a point blank header), which bodes well for the years ahead.

And remember, this is a Mexican team in good form and full of confidence. This was a draw that at this stage of a rebuilding national team felt like a win.

What did you think of the performance overall? Don’t by shy, leave your point of view in the comments section below.

And if you haven’t see it yet, check out the well-worked U.S. goal: