Comments on: Almost.

By: Mooch

Mooch — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:47:46 +0000

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.

By: soccer goals

soccer goals — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Tough Defeat! THe USA did play strong though.

By: Oscar Echeverri

Oscar Echeverri — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:40:10 +0000

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.

By: PRogers

PRogers — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:41:43 +0000

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

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:35:19 +0000

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.

By: Marlon

Marlon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:50:18 +0000

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.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:37 +0000

@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.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:53:46 +0000

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

By: gabe

gabe — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:07:16 +0000

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

By: Marlon

Marlon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:41:28 +0000

“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.