He's a good player, I just think they'll be better off without him. He's not really a difference maker like Dempsey and Bradley. The only reason people are pissed/surprised is because he's popular, and in most cases the only guy people know on the USMNT.
I don't think having him on the team is going to make them any better or worse, I guess, given the draw of their group. I still maintain that he's too small and NOT physical enough, especially against teams like Germany, Italy, and even England to an extent.
BTW, I liked your analogy of Klinsmann being the German BB. I have been known to tell people that if BB was a soccer coach he would be the HC of the German national team. Too funny