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Can we please fire him now? Please?

   

Further thoughts later, but…ugh. What a nightmare.


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  • Sim

    It would have been better sending Canada or Mexico to the Confederations Cup! What a disgrace!

  • James

    Starting Beasley. Playing a 4-3-3 when it was a disaster last time. Complete refusal of playing Torres after a good showing? I can barely stand him anymore.

    I really hope he does something smart and plays Torres and Adu next game. It’ll probably be a worthless game so getting them experience would be so important.

  • DAinLA

    He has no idea what he is doing. I’d like to single out one small thing that shows Bradley’s lack of ability: Dempsey. Dempsey used to put in some pretty fine performances for the US. He is currently at Fulham, where he was possibly their best player in the squad last year. It seemed he was involved in setting up nearly every goal they scored. Box to box, the does one hell of a job.

    And he used to play pretty well for the US. Now what does he play like? A player who hasn’t been told what to do. There is clearly no organization on the pitch, or whatever organization there is, it has taken one of the best players on the pitch and turned him into a headless chicken. When we were one goal up and one man down against Italy it appeared every player on the pitch had a different idea of what we were doing. Some were holding the ball, others were passing back, killing the clock, others were taking the ball and driving forward, while others were booting it up the field. No squad cohesion. And in situations like that a player like Dempsey will try to do to much every time he gets the ball. He then loses it because he is trying to much.

    That’s just one player, but across the pitch we see player after player with displays that are way below their ability.

    Bradley has no idea what he is doing. He has never won anything. He needs to be fired now.

  • Bram

    Bill Bradley has to go. Given his performance at the Copa America last year and now this tournament, it’s obvious that Bradley has no idea what he is doing. It’s easy for the US to win in CONCACAF – even against Mexico, which is a mess as well right now, although even some CONCACAF games are getting tough. What we now KNOW is that Bradley has no idea how to compete at the international level.

    It’s also time to let Beasley return to the MLS and get comfortable there. He hasn’t been able to hold down a job in Europe after that first year at PSV, and he now can’t even handle simple passes.

    Also, we need Jermaine Jones in the team right away to play the midfield with Michael Bradley. Two games in a row in which the other central midfielder gets a straight red card for being an idiot. It’s pathetic. It’s like Paul Scholes tackling out there….

  • http://twitter.com/allthingsfooty Kevin M.

    Why wasn’t he fired as he walked off the field? It shouldn’t even take until the end of this tournament, or even the end of the day.

  • Ray

    Could there be a worse time for US Soccer to make the mistake of believing in a coach who consistently proves he’s clueless? Like a previous commenter said (maybe on a different posting)…Bradley’s in WAY over his head.

    We are not as talented as Brazil or Italy. But we have enough talent to compete; maybe even eke out the random tie (see last WC). What we don’t have is enough talent to overcome inept leadership.

    Play Torres. Play Adu. No Mastroeni. No Beasley at left back. And if Connor Casey is the answer to someone’s question, that question has to be “show me more proof that Bob Bradley’s going to ruin US soccer.”

  • Brian

    On a positive note I would like to give props to Spector for being one of the only players attempting to get forward deep in the second half. Sure he screwed up on the first goal not defending his man but I thought he played great after that. I am excited to see him defend that spot once everyone is healthy. Although knowing Bradley even if Spector scored 3 goals against Egypt he’d probably still sit in favor of some MLS player for WC qualifying.

  • DAinLA
  • Pseudinho

    Why does Bob never seem to get the tactics right? Has he not learned how to defend a super talented team. Did he not see what Guus Hiddink employed against Barcelona holding them scoreless for about 179 minutes? When we play these teams we have to play those sort of anti football tactics to get results and maybe just maybe we can get a goal of a set piece or counterattack. Why do players who are our best passers of the ball not seem to get opportunities to show their ability? If we go down to Mexico and get embarrassed in the Azteca for me its adios muchacho back to the maid like for you Mr. Bradley.

  • morpheus

    I agree that the last few games have made the US team look really bad, but I am not sure I am ready to fire Bradley for it. I hear a lot of people say fire him right now without giving a single name of his replacement. Most of the top managers in the world are already at a team preparing for the WC next year. No manager is going to leave a job they have been building for 3 years to takeover a team and have 1 year to make them better. So, unless someone has a great candidate to replace Bradley he should stay.

    As for the previous poster that said our team looked like they were lacking organization after the “stupid” card given to Clark. That isn’t Bradley’s fault. That is Donovan’s fault. He needs to be the leader on the field and dictate how others play. He needs to be the manager on the field. There was no way for Bradley to yell to all 10 players out there to tell them what to do. That needed to come from the Captain on the field. Our players let us down in that game.

    Lastly, Bradley needs to stop playing Beasley at any position and at any point in a match. His first touch is aweful, and his defence is dreadful.

  • SP

    im still not too sold on a coaching change being the right move, but over the last couple weeks, i’ve really realized that i wouldn’t really be disappointed if it happened.

  • DAinLA

    Morpheus,

    Klinnsman, Strachan, Curbishley, Coppell, Delio Rossi, Ranieri, on and on.

    Let’s not pretend like there are not plenty of coaches currently available who actually have a decent resume – FAR BETTER resumes than Bradley had before he got the job. It’s an absurd point to make. There are always coaches available or coaches you can pry away from their team (Schmid).

    And we have plenty of time. One year out from the world cup. Many teams have made managerial switches at this point and done just fine.

  • matt

    to the guys not sure about firing bradley because of continuity or something answer me this? why do you want to continue aimless suckitude? we’re a complete embarrasment and like i said in the liveblog this morning egypt aint no joke and we’re gonna get friggin HANDLED there too in addition to being handled by 2 superpowers not even near their peaks…and COSTA RICA who shouldnt have a prayer against any legit team. total bullshit

  • CW

    We are simply posers. The talent isn’t there to truly compete with the world, and it is compounded by poor team selection and just poor coaching in general.
    We can’t string 3 passes together, we don’t have ANYBODY that can take on a defender with any class at all, and on and on. It’s hard to watch. Egypt is going to put us to the sword. With a victory they advance, and I guarantee they will be up for it.

  • Caleb

    This goes along with what DAinLA said-
    Bora, currently coaching Iraq, just came out and said he desperately wants to Coach a WC team next summer in SA. He’s coached us before, and I’m definitely not saying he’s THE answer, but if Bradley were to go(which is what I hope) there is surely someone with a nice resume and some knowledge of how to compete internationally that would take on the challenge that is getting the US MNT to actually win against somebody besides CONCACAF minnows, oh wait, we’re lucky if we can squeak those out…I know this team can do it. Look at the 1st half against Italy and the Spain and Argentina game in summer 08, one IN SPAIN. I believe it’s possible if someone is at the top that knows what he is doing.

  • http://www.blueshirtbanter.com Rob

    Bob Bradley’s continued devotion to players he has coached in the past at the club level will be the downfall of this team. I love how the US played aggressively in the first half of the Italy match, imagine if he had even more aggressive players on the field.

    Bradley has done it for me, and I was a defender of him not too long ago.

  • charles

    The team should be made to sit down and watch Greece at Euro 2004 and Turkey at Euro 2008 repeatedly!!!!

    As for coaches. Didier Deschanps.

  • Ted

    I’d love to see this on Sunday. I know it has a 0% chance of happening but even something remotely similar to this would be nice.

    ********************Altidore********************
    ****Adu*******************************Donovan***
    ************Torres*************Feilhaber********
    ********************Bradley*********************
    Bornstein*****Demerit*****Onyewu*********Spector
    *********************Howard*********************

  • Ted

    Oh and we should wear the charcoal colored kit, no white, please.

  • Had It

    I am getting sick of the US showing up to these competitions and not scoring goals. And I’ve been sick of Donovan for several years. This team needs to get better quick or we’re out in the first round against next year!

  • Scott

    *grumblegrumble*

    Also the charcoal kits? Boring as all hell. The white/grey kits are the first classy kits i’ve seen the US team wear and the first kit i’ve ever actually thought looked world class. Everything else we’ve had looks either incredibly boring or incredibly boring and gaudy simultaneously, which is truly a feat. The only part of it that I dislike is the stupid symbol. Ours is f*cking terrible. It is offensive to the eyes and needs to be redone.

  • Peter

    I just think that we raise our expectations too high in these tournaments partially because of the bull American commentators always spew on ABC/ESPN. Let’s face it, time and time again our players and tactics show we have a lot to learn. We need a real coach and players who do not think the world of themselves. Being top of CONCACAF, getting a draw in an international friendly, and being really good in the MLS mean absolutely nothing. We can probably beat Egypt in our final game, and suddenly it’ll seem everything is all right until the next time we crash out at the group stages.

  • Peter

    P.S. Our players need to learn to have some discipline. I will be surprised if we do not get a red card against Egypt.

  • Emir

    We need a european coach. Bradley made the same mistake that Bruce Arena did. He plays WAY too many players and changes rotations from game to game, i swear every time you watch a game there are new faces in the first 11. USA MUST have the first eleven and then build on it. This team will barely make it to the World Cup, but why even go there if we are going to get blown out by everyone. This is not the same USA team that did wonders in Japan and SOuth Korea. Oh yeah, Dempsey is clueless, that kid, i do not know how he ended up in England but I am sure that there are better players in MLS then this guy. With this coach we stand 0 chance of wining a single point in South Africa.. Now it is the time to make a change. Egypt will blow us away the way we play…. I miss those good old days when we could compete against anyone. One would think that by now US soccer team would be ready to take it all but instead we are seing a decline in our performance. Unbelieavable!! Bradley!!!! Please resign.. And one last thing , someone please tell US soccer players that it is SOCCER they are playing not American FOOTBALL, no more red cards !!! God bles USA

  • mike d

    Beasley is a bum… he is utterly disgusting to watch. usa plays for a tie. the coaching sucks the team suxks and very few players play with any heart. where is freddy adu?? cmon usa time to wake up and play for real.
    Beasley should retire as soon as possible.

  • matt

    i love the faux nostalgia for the old days. it’s not like we got anywhere then either guys…think about progress for god’s sake

  • Chris

    Does anyone here think Piotr Nowak could be the answer. I am from Philadelphia, and am excited to hear that he is adopting Barcelona’s style of play. I think anything that is borrowed from Europe can only help the American game.

  • http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

    Emir, Clint Dempsey was one of the best players on a team that qualified for the Europa League in the EPL last year. I think DAinLA’s analysis of the situation was spot on. Under Roy Hodgson Dempsey has a very specific and very tactical role that he adheres to. He knows what he’s doing out there. He has a system supporting him and how he plays and he plays within it. On the USA team he has no system supporting him, and feeling that he is one of the best players on our team (which he should feel because he is) he tries to do too much, and because he doesn’t have the right coaching he ends up doing the wrong things.

  • http://fulham.theoffside.com timmyg

    Marlon — I totally agree. I even wrote a post about it yesterday.

  • Fussball

    10-20 yeras ago you could make the excuse that the rest of the world is better because they start playing at a high level very young. Not so much difference today. We start our kids as soon as they are able to walk for the most part.

    Colin Cowherd had a good take on it yesterday. Our best athletes play football and basketball. We look like boys amongst men.

    PS:

    These world stage games are almost unwatchable due to those ignorant horns blowing!!!!!!

  • http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

    The “our best athletes play football and basketball” excuse is tired. It’s true, but we could do better then we are doing and we aren’t.

  • http://livethepitch.com/ jeff

    This team shows absolutely no heart out there. It was very painful to watch the game vs Brazil. I also believe Bradley should be fired on Monday! We had NO game plan, NO organization, and our top players ride the pine! Beasley,Klejkstan,Bornstein,and Bradley have no business being on the field at this level. My prediction- Egypt 2-0 over US on Sunday.

  • Chris

    Jeff, I don’t know why your hating on Michael Bradley Jr. I think he is one of our better players in the Midfield. Give me Adu and Bradley in the midfield with Feilhaber, and Donovan and maybe Torres can come on, for Feilhaber. The problem is the old washed up MLS players that Bradley insist on playing. Imagine if we had Subotic to anchor our defense with spectre…one can only dream.

  • Ted

    Michael Bradley is good but there is a problem. He is neither a pure defensive midfielder nor a pure attacking midfielder. He is right in the middle, someone who does reasonably well at both. The problem is in our formations we don’t employ that type of player. Our entire midfield is comprised of defensive midfielders, creative midfielders and wingers. The times we play two CDM, he is fine there, but he is not good enough to be the lone CDM in my opinion. Things may change for the better when Jermaine Jones arrives because if they combine at CDM, Bradley will have a bit more freedom to create the attack, or Jermaine Jones could be a lone CDM.

  • phildo

    Maybe I’m just paranoid, but is there an anti-foreign club conspiracy? Where is McBride? Spector can only get in because of others’ injuries? Can Donovan pass to Spector when Spector is making a run up the right side? What’s up with that? Donovan blew at least two maybe more significant, dangerous runs by Spector and Spector seems to be the one player, besides Howard, who isn’t making mistakes and is showing us world-class soccer.

    Who are these announcers saying Spector missed his mark on the first goal against Brazil and then saying Howard should have come out and gotten that ball? Spector had his guy offside on the direct kick until DeMerit decided to back-up and put the guy onside; and, I think, Howard did what defenders are supposed to do when an offensive player is offside and the ball comes his way…ignore the player, which he did, not knowing that DeMerit mistakenly retreated to put the player onside. I’m tired of so-called “experts” like Lalas and Harkes blowing a critical analysis. Back to school for those boys. Same for the soccer publications and newspaper reporters who missed it and blame the wrong guys. Bad analysis leads to bad design.

    Is Bradley just marching to USSF’s orders?

  • DAinLA

    So, here is one way you can make a bit of difference. A friend of mine writes for a certain American football sports news webpage and wrote a rather scathing article on Bradley after the Brazil game. Then people began calling for Bradley to be fired. Apparently, Chicago received over 500 calls from irate fans. And someone started a Facebook page to have Bradley fired.

    Here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27249621746&ref=mf

    This has the attention of Chicago. They called my writer friend and accused him of starting the Facebook page (ridiculous) and instigating fans. They actually think this is just about one writer bringing the heat and is not a direct result of Bradley’s horrible coaching, which is a very bad sign.

    So, please join the group and fire off an email or two to Chicago. We need to actually do something, rather than just bitching online.

    Here’s the email contact page.

    http://www.ussoccer.com/contact/index.jsp.html

  • http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

    I joined the group and sent an email.

  • BM

    Marlon – I agree about Dempsey. Totally adrift in Bradley’s system. His tricks at the end of the Brazil game were superfluous, but can we really begrudge the man a little fun? This team needs more players with his control and creativity, and it’s telling that Harkes’ reaction was to shake his head and lecture about “discipline”. Simply getting the basics right doesn’t make you a threat at the World Cup. Dempsey’s imagination should be encouraged, because we’ll rely on it to make a good showing next year. Also, maybe the powers that be could stop treating Adu like a washed-up veteran. Tough to get excited about this side.

  • Wayne

    Here are the top problems with the US team.

    1, No individual attacking skills. (Wall passing,running into space,throughballs etc.. will not cut it when you play the best teams in the world. The attacking players on the US team need to be creative & take on defenders using ball skills which will then open up chances for team mates.

    2. Have you ever notice our attacking players spend more time fallen on the ground.
    (Dempsey, Beasley, Johnson, Altidore, etc.. fall over so easily. Don’t get me wrong i understand
    the international game of putting your team in a good scoring chance. But this seems the norm
    for us. The US soccer should be teaching our youngsters from small stay strong, don’t be pushed off balanced so easily. They should be teaching Atticking 2v1 , 1v1 skills .
    Look at Teams that are not in the so called elite. Turkey, Egypt, Morroco. I’m sure they don’t
    have any soccer development set up compared to the US. Yet the ATTACK @ ALL COST.

    3. I think Bob Bradley has done a good job with the US team in these areas. They are more confident with the one touch passing. The Goalkeeping is fine, the defenders are good.
    Landon, Badley, Clark, Torres have the skills to compete.

    4. I don’t believe in this size thing. Having to play a big man with a small man etc…
    Look what New Jersey born 5ft 7 Rossi did for italy. He rosted the US.
    Size does not matter. Bring on players with individual attackning skills.
    Put in Freddy Adu, Torres, Bring In Robbie Rogers … PLAYERS WHO ATTACK !!

    5. What ever the US National team is teaching our young strikers right now. They need to STOP.
    Find out what the Brazilians , Argentinians, Dutch are dong. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

    I AM THE BIGGEST US SUPPORTER WHO WAS SITTING IN GERMANY 2006 AND TO SUM IT UP
    WE ARE STILL AT THE SAME PLACE YEARS AGO.

    I WILL NOT GIVE UP SO I HOPE YOU WON’T

  • http://socceraddictnews.com soccer goals

    Hopefully, he can work on his tactics in the Gold Cup.

  • Greg

    Let’s be serious…Robbie Rogers showed in the Gold Cup that a good MLS player is not even close to international quality. Speed doesn’t matter when you can’t go 1v1 against a defender, or maintain possession. The only players in the Gold Cup that even deserve to be invited to a U.S. camp are Donovan, Hejduk, Ricardo Clark, and Stuart Holden. Only two MLS’ers, Donovan and Holden should be on the roster for South Africa 2010. Landon Donovan, like him or not, when playing well, is a threat. Stuart Holden grew up in Scotland til age 10, otherwise our stellar youth development would have screwed him up too. If you are American, and want to wear the US kit, you need to play outside the US, period. The only way to become international quality, is play against them on your club side day in/day out. You can’t do that in the US. I support the MLS, and want to see it succeed, but today, it’s a development league, and a place for over-the-hill players to go when they can’t hang in the top leagues. Sad, but true.

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