Almost.

I don’t understand why people are saying Bradley’s tactics are the reason we lost that game against Brazil. The coach had nothing to do with that loss. That game was dictated by Brazil in both halves! In the first half Brazil was playing very sloppy and made lots of bad decisions. This led to the US getting 1 legit goal, Donovan’s, and one lucky bounce, Dempsey’s (lucky bounces still count so nothing against that). In the second half Brazil kept possession of the ball, and picked apart the US with skill and speed. Brazil has much better talent than the US and it showed as the game progressed. Kaka was able to do what ever he wanted and the passing even when Brazil was down 2 goals was percise and patient.

I will agree that at halftime I was hoping that the US could pull out a win, but I told my wife, that Brazil hadn’t started playing yet and US’s only hope was that Brazil didn’t start playing. The manager, and players both did everything they could to pull out a win, but in the end the better skilled team won.

Those of you yelling for Bradley to be fired, should stop and think. Can any manager turn Donovan into Kaka, or Altidore into Fabiano? If you think there is a manager out there that can do that then that is the person we need as a manager. IMO, there is only so much a manager can do.

And for those of you that want Adu to play, you might want to watch some of his past performances against senior level players. He isn’t big enough, strong enough, or smart enough to play at this level. He has a long ways to go. Adu couldn’t even hack it in the MLS so what makes you think he could survive playing with the national team?

@morpheus: Doesn’t take much thought to say Brazil’s a more skilled team. The point I think we’re all trying to hang on to is that we we are either playing up to or beyond our own skill level. Don’t think that can be denied either. Are you really a US Soccer fan if you’re completely incapable of assigning any credit to the U.S. for their performance? Did we just get lucky against Spain too? (I already regret asking.)

Can a manager turn Donovan into Kaka? No. Can he pick better subs than Klejstan and Casey? Yes.

I don’t think Adu left MLS for Europe because he couldn’t hack it in MLS. I think Beckham (and several other old european pros) are leaving Europe for the MLS because they couldn’t hack it in EPL and La Liga. You’re logic’s a little bass-ackwards, no? MLS –> Europe = Progess (not failure). It would be nice if he played more (read “at all”), but I don’t think it’s a sign of failure that Benefica gave him a shot.

Morpheus: Do you really think that Sacha and Bornstein for Altidore and Feilhaber were the appropriate subs to make when Bob finally did make subs? The US needed a goal and Bob brings on a holding mid and a defender for two attacking players. Really? You really think that was smart?

As for Adu, to say he couldn’t hack it in MLS is just straight up stupid. Would clubs like Benfica and Monaco have taken him on if he couldn’t even hack it in MLS?

And weren’t you one of the people who said calling for Davies to start was wrong because of his youth and inexperience? Look what he did. If Davies can prove worthy when given a chance, why not Adu? (Who is an inch taller than Messi, by the way. Not saying he’s as good, just saying size can be irrelevant)

I was sad yesterday and I’m sadder today. *sigh*

Posted from  United States

Marvell Wynne = speed and ball recovery – unused substitute. Was he injured? Could he have closed down Alves and relieved Donovan to work in a smaller space? Could have been Beasleys opportunity to redeem himself. Bradley chose the players he favors. Its clear, both Bornstein and Sacha were part of his Chivas team. How can Michael Bradley continue to start games with his defensive miscues against Costa Rica and in the Confed cup? Untimely red cards and sometimes running after the ball as if playing dummy in the middle. He has potential, no doubt, but lacks the creativity – He is no Ballak.
Again, how can it be justified that the US simply ran out of legs? that is a technical error. A formation change to make spaces smaller for tired players. Substitutes to step into the big spaces with fresh legs. An immediate response to Brazil’s subs, not 12 later…an eternity! Really, the US players gave us hope. Bradley let them (and us, the fans) down.

Morpheus, please…calling Dempsey’s goal a lucky bounce is rediculous. Right place, right time, right touch, back of the net = legitimate goal. Cheers to Ray’s comment. Imagine Bora with this group of players! World Class tactician with World Class Players (YES, US Players are world class).

Why do people say Adu is not big enough. Messi and Maradona were both small players in comparison to Adu. Not saying that he is similar to these players…because hes not, but the height and size argument is dumb and pointless.

I guess I haven’t seen enough of Altidore to be a fan. In my opinion, he doesn’t hustle as much and spends a lot of time complaining. Last game in the 2nd half, I noticed still him on the ground complaining when the ball came back his way and went right by him… that is wrong in so many ways. He may have skills… but he leeches the team of energy if he isn’t hustling as much as those next to him.

As for the 2nd half of the Brasil game… I think they came out 2nd half with a changed plan and we didn’t compensate. We had no answer for them going wide on either side of the field and then sending someone streaking down the sidelines. Many of their changes came from those plays.

Overall… I am overjoyed to have seen my team go from the poor early games to do so well against Egypt, Spain, and Brasil. I smiled more than I frowned last week by a long way.

Posted from  United States

i don’t think many ppl realize that the kljestan/bornstein sub was already registered with the 4th official before brazil got their second goal so there was nothing that could have been done when brazil did score. that being said, i still don’t agree with kljestan coming in whether it is 2-2 or 2-1, but i think the bornstein sub was a good idea at the time we were leading 2-1 bc it allows us to go 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 or even 5-4-1 and boca was getting skinned on the left side so he would have had support. but, like i said, those subs were intended to be made when we were a goal up, we just got unlucky that brazil scored right after the subs were registered and right before they went in.

Thanks SP. I was wondering if once those subs were registered if there was a way to change them given the situation.

Also saw this morning that a Mexican player wants to play for the US as a result of the FIFA rule change: http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/ussoccerplayers/2009/06/castillo-i-would-play-for-the-united-states.html#more

Posted from  United States

People who are complaining about BB’s decision to bring on Sacha and Bornstein are missing the point. Both of them were signed in and ready to check in at 2-1. I think BB was trying to get fresh legs and take a more defensive strategy; Brazil were already dominating offensively. When Brazil scored to make it 2-2, that completely changed things. I’m not sure if the coach can cancel the sub after the player has registered with the linesman. Anyone know? Anyways, as much as I would have liked to have seen JFT or Freddy, at 2-1 it wasn’t the worst decision I’ve seen from him.

It’s pretty easy to sit back in hindsight and point the finger at Bradley. For anyone of us to claim that we know what is best for our team is pretty naive and just arrogant. If Sacha comes on, and Bornstein combines with Lo to combat Brazil’s dangerous right side, then Bradley is a genius. If we sneak another goal in and somehow pull off a win in ET, then we don’t even question his tactics

@Evan – you are right that in hindsight it is easy to say what if…and be unjustly critical. Arrogant? Maybe just really pissed off! But, lets include the WCQ games in the past few months. The scare in El Salvador, Costa Rica (regardless of field/home advantage) the US team seemed tactically unprepared and, from my recollection, made no significant changes during the game. I could go on… I’m not being critical of the personell choice, more so with the timing and lack of formation adjustment to force Brazil into different spaces. Lets remember what most ‘experts’ have said “US players ran out of legs” – that is an indirect critisism of the coach.

Posted from  United States

To defend my position a little here. Yes, the US played very well against both Spain and Brazil. I think the US even played well in the 2nd half of the Brazil game. But, to win against the best teams it takes more than just heart and determination. The US needs more talent and that is developed by the USSF and not Bob Bradley. I want changes to be made above Bob Bradley’s head. IMO, Sunil Gulati (the head of USSF) is the problem.

Secondly, no I don’t like the subs that Bradley brought on during the Brazil game. But, I don’t fault him much being that his bench wasn’t that strong. The only person I would have liked to see come off the bench was Torres.

Now, on to Adu. Adu couldn’t make it onto the field, regularly, for DC United. When he did play he couldn’t hold onto the ball when pressured by the bigger, stronger players. Then Adu moved to Real Salt Lake. There he made the field a little more but again the same results. When he moved to Europe and again he is having a hard time making the first team. And when he does he is having the same problems he had in the MLS. So, why did Benfica pay big money for him… because he has tremendous upside and he performs well against players his age. He has talent, but until he builds up some strength through training and weights he won’t be able to use his talent.

Lastly, no I wasn’t the person saying Davies shouldn’t start b/c of inexperience. Davies job is to use his speed to run behind defenders and create more space for the midfield. And that is what he did. But, Adu doesn’t have the same speed.

@ Ray & Brooks ~ If you think Bradley should be fired who would you have take his place right now? Most “world class” managers aren’t available right now and/or won’t leave their current employment to take over the US 1 year before the WC. I think Bradley should stay through the WC and let that dictate whether he stays or not. And in the mean time the USSF can be talking to potential managers that could replace Bradley if it came to that.

Just as a little aside. Does anyone know why Jurgen Klinsmann wasn’t hired to coach the US? Rumor has it Sunil Gulati wouldn’t give Klinsmann the autority to change the youth program to develop talent in the style of Germany (IIRC, U16, U19, U21 champions).

Does that sound like a problem?

Gee what a shitty 14 year old not regularly making it onto the field for a professional sports team.

Posted from  United States

“t’s pretty easy to sit back in hindsight and point the finger at Bradley. For anyone of us to claim that we know what is best for our team is pretty naive and just arrogant. If Sacha comes on, and Bornstein combines with Lo to combat Brazil’s dangerous right side, then Bradley is a genius. If we sneak another goal in and somehow pull off a win in ET, then we don’t even question his tactics.”

No, you’re wrong. I was still questioning his subs and tactics after beating Egypt 3 – 0. A bad decision is a bad decision even if it manages to not be catastrophic. I would never mistake Bob Bradley for a tactical genius.

Posted from  United States

was a tough loss. i think landon donovan’s response was the best. being ok with the loss is not acceptable. they should be disappointed because they should have beat brazil! hopefully we are consistent, and continue to improved.

also, i thought it would be fun to add an interview with Marcelo Balboa where he talks about his childhood and his desire to grow soccer through the company Calle Street Soccer.

http://www.captainu.com/buzz/273-marcelo-balboa-the-interview-on-role-models/?utm_source=CaptainU&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marcelo_balboa

gabe

Posted from  United States

Adu looks like one of the little kids they walk out with before the games.

Posted from  United States

@Morpheus: Glad you responded, but now I’m not sure we’re really that far apart in how we see things. First, I have to admit that I don’t have any idea who is available as far as world-class coaching goes so I’m not naming names. Besides, I think Bradley’s bought enough time with recent results that even if the wheels come off late this year it would likely then be too late to replace him. He’s getting a pass on the results of his B-team in the Gold Cup; Mexico game is in Mexico; and on and on until no one in their right mind is going to ask for a switch. That said, his decision-making is suspect at times, and I’m sure Marlon’s never going to give him a pass. No one should.

ADU: He’s 5′8″. Torres is 5′5″; Beasley’s 5′9″; Donovan’s 5′8″. And I wouldn’t exactly say Adu’s underweight for his height–my guess is he’s physically stronger than Beasley and Donovan combined. I just don’t see the argument. Maybe he needs EXPERIENCE.

Ray, don’t get me wrong. I think Bob Bradley is a decent coach. I also think he is an MLS coach who is not world class. Currently 9/11 of the starters of the team he coached play in Europe. The two who don’t (Landon Donovan and Ricardo Clark) probably will soon. Bob Bradley has only very recently gotten this team to a level we’ve been saying it was at for years, and he only started Charlie Davies after it looked like the tournament was lost. I just think that given our players we deserve a better coach. We could do and be better.

Posted from  United States

I agree 100%. But, as I said before, he’s built up “good results” credit:

1. JULY: Gets a pass on the Gold Cup: we’re sending the “B” team, understandably. This can only help BB–imagine how high his stock is if we win the damn thing with subs.

2. AUGUST: If we lose IN Mexico, but aren’t embarassed, it won’t be enough to push him out. (If we WIN in Mexico, he’s our World Cup 2010 coach.)

3. SEPTEMBER: El Salvador at home and Trinidad away. We’ll get results there, may even be qualify by then.

4. OCTOBER: Honduras away and Costa Rica at home. I have enough faith in THE PLAYERS that we’ll only need one of these to qualify and we’ll get it. Are we really going to fire him then?

A lot of people see the mistakes, but US Soccer is not going to have a good enough reason to fire him. It probably would have taken embarrassment at the Confed Cup for that to happen. Prepare to be frustrated.

How about the addition of Santino Quaranta who was called up for the CONCACAF Gold Cup team. Just listening to him you can tell that he is ready to play, and good things are coming to the USA. Check it out

http://comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/videosdcunited
6/26- Santino Quaranta

Posted from  United States

In my naive and arrogant opinion – the inconsitency of play from one game to the next is the players rebellion. Commentators have given the thumbs to Bradley for the change in attitude at the Confeds Cup, where I think these players were self motivated to win. We truly don’t know who said what. There was a formation change which I think fueled some enthusiasm from the core group. Anytime is a good time to change a coach that is failing. There will be plenty of friendlies and plenty of assistants to get a replacement up to speed. What the US MNT needs is a coach that can make the right decisions at the right time…or at least have a “look” of confidence, not “I feel like puking” face. Oh, wait, that’s how I felt just a few nights ago when Gulati hugged Bradley on the medals podium.

Tough Defeat! THe USA did play strong though.

Posted from  United States

Bradley made most of the right decisions, if your feelings were hurt because your favorite player didn’t find their way onto the pitch, that’s too bad. A single player or a single decision will not make a difference against a team like Brazil. It requires a team effort with a sound strategy and a little luck. There was nothing wrong with the bunker defense because we didn’t play it like Sampson attempted in ’98. Why, because we had three forwards on the field not one. The US defense, when it’s organized and running smoothly is world class with Howard, Bocanegra, Onyewu, and Spector who gets my vote for MVP. That’s a bunker with all of the US midfielders being sufficiently defensive minded to always get behind the ball, as they continuously did, that’s a team effort. Then when the opportunities present themselves they had to have the discipline and experience to capitalize, with a little luck. The combination of speed Spector getting the ball to Dempsey – that’s defender to forward. And then speed, Donovan to Davies, to Donovan – that’s forward to forward, with Donovan providing the experience and composure necessary to finish is the team effort necessary to capitalize that proved so valuable.

If there was a single mistake in the game it was to have a third forward minded player on the field. Davies provided speed, sure, but after his great assist to Donovan his forward minded nature took control and on at least three occasions , very precious occasions, when the US needed a team effort he failed to deliver the ball to Altidore, to Donovan, and then once he was just completely without any ideas. Had he delivered the ball would the team have scored again? Probably not, the outcome would have been the same. But it displays a breakdown in team mentality. Alas, even the best defense in the world can’t keep Brazil down for long – but by playing as a team and capitalizing on the few opportunities they can slay a dragon.

So absent from the US roster is a controlling mid-field. We cannot rely on Donovan to come back to collect and distribute the ball through a grueling 5, 6, 7 game World Cup campaign. The US must either find a midfielder who can control the game or the will have to play bunker and strike. Finally the US has what it takes to succeed with the bunker and strike – meaning world class players at both ends of the field. Does the team have time in a year to develop through the mid-field? Nope. So a strategy and a team that can perform have emerged. Now what Bradley has to enforce this next year is to play this strategy, total team effort, and the US will show very well in South Africa.