Talk about negative – I think he was trying to be a buzzkill. Worse, it was like he took every possible bad fact (or even opinion) and was determined to share it with the ordinary Americans tuning in for the first time.

Bench O’Brien in the booth.

In the run up to 2002, we lost our warm up games but played against the upper echelon of the world’s footballing talent.

Bruce’s scheduling was TERRIBLE: we played one real game and that was with our MLS reserves.

The fact of the matter is: if we want to be a good team, the Gold Cup and Concacaf will not suffice. We need to try to play in teh Copa America and to organize friendlies against better competition.

Just look at Argentina: they played against Croatia and England, losing both games, but learned and had a great opening game against the Ivory Coast.

Also, it would help if Donovan would go to Europe. I’m glad he’s had fun prancin around LA and winning the MLS cup, but come on. His fiancee’s acting career is a LAUGHING STOCK.

The first game against Portugal we barely won 3-2 and 2 of those goals were flukes (O’Briens was from a mistake and Donovan’s was really an own goal). The second game we scored against the run of play. The third game we were demolished.

Our end record was 2-1-2.

Think about it: is 2-1-2 a good reason to get so hyped up?

1) Johnson starts.

2) Find someone to replace Pope, please. Maybe a three person backline?

3) Move Beasley back to his preferred side.

Here is an ideal formation, based on today:

McBride (He did not get service and cannot be blamed) and Johnson up top

Beasley on the left, Donovan as attacking mid, and Dempsey on the right

Reyna and O’brien as holding midfielders

Lewis, Gooch, and Cherundolo as the backline.

However, we should NOT overreact to this match. The Czech’s did place THIRD at the Euro 2004 and are one of the most talented squads in the world.

In all honesty, they did not totally demolish us, but did have a fanastic conversion rate which was the product of some great team play.

That being said, no formation can make up for the uninspired play of the US team. We got down a goal and gave us: resilience is CRUCIAL at the highest level. We were beat to most loose balls, our tackles were late, and we dove way too much.

Its been said that coaches have a short shelf life because the same tricks don’t work twice…maybe Bruce isn’t able to light a spark under player’s asses like he used to?

I also think he has been too loyal to certain players (Ahem, Eddie Pope, ahem)

They try to mask insecurities by blaming everything on Mexico, Mexican fans and or anybody else, fill in the blank.

There are 300 million people in this great nation but somehow the best eleven can’t get on the field together because of grudges and politics.

Learn to hold your nose and shut your mouth.