USA vs. Honduras (2 – 1) Post-Game Thoughts

Alright everybody….let’s get to what your preferred lineup would be…..

I’m still iffy on Adu being a starter, but we need something…If I had everyone healthy, I might play Dolo right MF and have Donovan as the secondary striker.

— Altidore—
——Adu——
Dempsey —Feilhaber — Bradley — Donovan
Bornstein (or any warm body) — Boca — Gooch — Spector
Howard

Nick, you just named the preferred lineup I discussed with Brooks earlier.

There was also an interlude debate of Davies over Altidore with consideration of current form.

I would insert Davies over Adu before Altidore.

If Ching were there, I’d probably play him over Adu as well.

I think that’d be a mistake, but that’s just me.

You’re not a turncoat, man. Anyone who wants the US to actually achieve something wants Bradley to be replaced with a top foreign manager.

Do I think Bradley is the best coach for the USA job?
Absolutely not.
Do I think he should be replaced?
Absolutely not.

You need to build some level of consistency, and this is impossible to do with multiple coaches. Teams that replace their coach every 3 months will never have anything more than maybe on or two successful stints. There will never be consistency.

You also have to look at the long-term. A coach that is going to coach the US doesn’t have to worry about job security so much. There is a lot less distraction and they can just focus on the job without having to worry so much about where they will be coaching next month. With the reputation of having faith in it’s coaches, the USA takes pressure off of not only Bradley, but future more qualified coaches as well.

I also wouldn’t want a foreign manager (Unless it is someone closely affiliated with America, like Klinsmann, who lives here). But the last thing I want is someone coaching the USA who doesn’t have USA pride. It’s one thing to want to win, it’s another thing to NEED to win. Only a coach coaching his own country NEEDS to win.

Bottom line, I think Bradley should be out after 2010. But until then, we should stick with him no matter what, if nothing else for the sake of consistency

This complacency is the reason the USSF will never get anything done. You’re willing to settle and I’m not.

Marlon, yup. Exactly. Willing to settle for Bob Bradley for the sake of consistency? The fact of the matter is that he’s just not that good a coach. He’s not going to become that much better… his ability as a coach is quickly going to reach its ceiling.

For consistence’s sake, I think we should fire the current coach as soon as possible and hire someone with the depth of ability that’ll allow us to really develop across the years. I don’t care how we do in 2010, but how we end up doing across the years, match by match.

To end, I don’t care where this coach is from and neither should you. The only reason that the most football developed countries can afford to hire only domestic coaches is because they actually have the depth to do so. The United States (”America” is an ignorant term to use, btw) is still developing its program, a coach that brings it experience and depth of understanding would be the best coach we could have. One that would last years at the helm and produce not only a great team, but train good local coaches.

Mark, you are mind bogglingly wrong on every count, except for the very first thing you said. Let’s go though this point by point:

-Once again, we are not asking that US soccer adopt a zero tolerance policy for managers. None of us want a new manager every three months. Bradley has been manager for three years — we’ve had plenty of time to asses him and realize he’s not the man for the job. Hopefully next time we can get it right and stick with his successor for a decade.

-”You also have to look at the long-term. A coach that is going to coach the US doesn’t have to worry about job security so much. There is a lot less distraction and they can just focus on the job without having to worry so much about where they will be coaching next month. With the reputation of having faith in it’s coaches, the USA takes pressure off of not only Bradley, but future more qualified coaches as well.”

WOW! You think a pressure-free job situation is ideal? You don’t see how that breeds complacency and tells the manager he can do whatever the hell he wants without being held accountable for it? I mean, I can see how too much pressure is a bad thing, but wow, that’s a stunning statement.

-”I also wouldn’t want a foreign manager (Unless it is someone closely affiliated with America, like Klinsmann, who lives here). But the last thing I want is someone coaching the USA who doesn’t have USA pride. It’s one thing to want to win, it’s another thing to NEED to win. Only a coach coaching his own country NEEDS to win.”

This is just silly and disrespectful to great managers. You don’t think Guus Hiddink needed to win, and subsequently got results for countries he managers other than his own? Being a country that hardly has a plethora of great managers, I think demanding an American severely limits us. Also, what does your statement say about club managers? Do no club managers need to win? Only club managers who manage within their country or hometown club? That’s ridiculous and insulting to great managers and sportsman who have a burning desire to win for whatever side they’re on.

-”Bottom line, I think Bradley should be out after 2010. But until then, we should stick with him no matter what, if nothing else for the sake of consistency”

So by this logic you also think child services shouldn’t immediately remove a neglected child from their home for the sake of consistency? Wouldn’t want to upset that child’s routine, would you? That makes sense.

Couldn’t agree more. I was sad to see the team come back because we need Bradley out now. I expect the drubbing we take at the Confederations Cup will be embarrassing enough to call for his head.

And let’s stop acting like Gooch is anything but a slow, foul prone central defender who couldn’t read a play if it was handed to him before the game. His slowness and inability to see what was occurring led to the second goal against Costa Rica and the goal against Honduras. There is a reason he was a washout at Newcastle. He’s just not good. He sure looks like quite an athlete, but there’s a reason he’s in the league he is in. He’s not international quality.

I’d like to see Marshall get a look and if that doesn’t work – move Spector to CM to play alongside Bocanegra. I know it will never happen, but just watch how Italy and Brazil eat Gooch alive.

I thought Spector looked good, Feilhaber as well, and Clark played a shockingly un-awful game. But the player who impressed me the most was Altidore. He was a bit short of touch, but we all know how little he has played of late. What impressed me was his drive. He was harrying defenders, winning the ball in the air, making good runs, and generally busting his ass for the team. This kid is going to be very very good. To show that kind of maturity at 18 is no small thing, and he definitely has the size, speed, and technical ability to play at the top level, and looks to have the mentality as well. He reminds me a bit of Adebayor (when the Togolese striker actually shows up to a game). I see bright things in Altidore’s future. And as for Bradley, there’s not much more to be said. I should not feel smarter than an international coach two games in a row. It’s worrying.

NEW QUESTION: (ok, it’s secretly a should-Bob-get-fired question but play along)

What is “success” against Italy, Brazil, and Egypt?

3 good games, no wins or ties? If they (read “Brazil and Italy”) actually put quality teams out there against us and play like they give a damn…I’d say two close losses and a draw are OK as long as we don’t look foolish. More than one point is a success. More than three points and Bob Bradley is USMNT Coach for life and we all print out our comments and eat them.

Thoughts?

Success? A win vs. any one of those teams is success. No matter who the coach is, nobody can argue that we have the horses in the stable to hang with those teams.

I’d be doing backflips if we could somehow go 1-1-1 and get out of group play….

Success is advancing.

I think the first choice 11 for the ConfedCup should be the following

——————-Altidore——————-

Donovan——————————–Dempsey
——–Feilhaber————–Bradley——–
——————–Clark———————

Bornstein—Bocanegra—–Onyewu——-Spector

——————–Howard——————–

I am not one who is very against the 4-5-1. I think it is a fine formation so long as you do it with one CDM and not two. This wat it is easier for the wingers to push up and have it look more like a 4-3-3. I think the central midfield is very up in the air. I like what Torres and Adu bring, but I’m not sure they are good for 90 minutes yet. I would like to see Bradley in more of an attacking role because I think that suits him fine. The one player I’ve been worrying about is Dempsey. He was in terrific form for Fulham but he has been awful in the WCQ’s. I don’t know if it’s the position or what but he has been our worst player (besides Wynn). Call me crazy but maybe we should try him out at CDM since he looks like such a more defensive minded player since starring for Fulham.

I think success is qualifying from the group stage. I know Italy and Brazil are better, but we are past the point of settling for “progress” and not getting results. We can beat Egypt. If we can either beat Italy or Brazil, or tie both matches, then we stand a good chance of qualifying. That would be a success.

So, if success is advancing, which probably requires 4 points…and Nicholas would be doing backflips for a 1-1-1 record, then we’re not all that optimistic our expectations can be met. I know people are overlooking Egypt because of who the other two teams are, but if we get past them and pull off another World-Cup style tie against Italy, it is possible.

I appreciate Marlon’s consistency…we need to get to the point where we EXPECT to do well in these situations. And right now I’m with the majority of folks posting here: it’s Coach Bob holding us back.

Appoint me as manager of the USMNT. Bob Bradley can stay on as a conditioning coach.

I assume your resume is up to par with previous USMNT coaches? (Note the hint of sarcasm.)

Hell, why don’t we all get in on it. We’ll come up with 10 acceptable formations/line-ups…have a couple rounds of voting. And then petition USMNT/Bob to give the winning formation a go after we wrap up qualifying? Good press for them and the blog.

Gooch is always good for a goal a game. Sometimes it is for the US but mostly it’s for the opponents.

Now is the time to get rid of Bradley. His coaching skills are good enough to get the US to be a upper quality team in CONCACAF. Not an upper quality team on the world pitch.

Sorry to be so pessimistic but when you struggle with the likes of Costa Rica and Honduras, you can expect to go 0-3-0 with a -8 goal differential at the Confederations Cup.

We need an international level coach.

Ted,
I like that lineup (the 4-5-1). We hopefully will see it at least once in SA. We’re too thick on mid-fielders and too thin at forward for it not to happen.

Also, we might need to move Dempsey to forward at some point. We need something to get him going. There’s too much talent there for him to be this average in a Nats uni.

Nicholas I agree about Dempsey. Although if he moves to forward then we should play a traditional 4-4-2.

For all who are Adu haters (which means if you don’t think he should be starting you are a hater and have no idea what this game is about), he is the best technically skilled player on the US side.

US Soccer is the last professional team sport where HUGE politics are playing a part. Donovan is the de facto leader of the team. That, in and of itself, makes me puke. Yes, he deserves to wear the jersey, but he is no leader. I know Donovan doesn’t like playing with Adu. And I am sure some of the “older guys” don’t want him in.

I swear to god, if I hear another person mention Brian Ching, I am going to take Bradley out myself (professional tackle that is…lol).

LETS MOVE ON!!! No more old stuff. Did everyone see Casey look to the bench in that close up of him? Immediately I was tellin the boys at the bar that he is being sub’d. I was like, yes! Who are they going to put in for him? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> BEASLEY??!?!?!?!?!?! WTF!!!?!?!?!?

Bob Bradley must go…I’m tired of timid. I would prefer to play an attacking style and not make the world cup. I am darn serious. GET SOME BELLS!!! Everyone!!! Fans alike!!! If you are one of those american barrabravas…(You are insulting the name)…then try and live up to it and go shank an opposing fan in tailgates. Get some cajones…Filho de MAMAI!!!

We need to play an attacking style. Coaches throughout the system need to grow some bells. Youth, High School, College and especially the MLS. And make the fing fields wider!!!

GLTAL

whoever thinks that egyt sucks or whatever their bad thoughts are about egypt totally don’t have brains or are out of their minds.i am an egytian myself and i don’[t accept it when everyone is talking bad about my home country’s national soccer team because this means you are talking bad about a whole country .not to mention USA is killing our distant brothers and sisters in iraq.USA is so merciless so i dont see the reason why brazil, sain and south africa should have mercy on them.i dont want to sound over Protective but it is the truth.besides. the whole world says that everyone thought that egypt would beat USA,SO EGYPT DID NOT PRACTICE HARD.i was there by the game because i live in south africa and i was crying when isaw that they hit essam al hadary so he lost concentration on the ball.and just because the world hates arabs doesnot mean that the whole world has to go on war against them.i have the guts to say that usa is a total SUCKER!!!!!!!!!KAKA, TORRES AND PARKER SHOULD TAKE DOWN USA WITH THEIR MIGHTY POWER. BITTOOL BIL’ARD ,HAN GIB AMRICA LIL ARD

e dai pessoal tudo tranquilo BRASIL