WHOA! Lets Not Crown Bob Bradley Just Yet
January 21, 2007
After watching the US team beat Denmark 3-1 yesterday, it is somewhat amazing that we have already begun hearing many say that Bradley should have the Interim tag removed from his name and that he should be the next coach of the team. Although we have to give the team kudos, I also think that we need to all take a deep breath and really think this through.
First and foremost, before we annoint Bradley as our team’s savior, this game was against Denmark, and no matter what the FIFA ranking might say, the US should have beaten this team handedly. So the final result of this game shouldn’t have been a surprise, especially since the Danes were missing some key players due to injury.
Secondly, lets remember that the 1st 45 min of this game was a performance that didn’t impress me (or most, for that matter) one bit. The US team played lackluster and tentative soccer, allowed the Danish to control the ball, and was missing the aggresiveness I was hoping to see. The US team barely equalized at the end of the half, as Donovan converted a mediocre PK. On the other hand, the 2nd half was a completely different result and it stemmed from an inspiring performance by some newcomers to the US National Team (i.e. Mapp, Bornstein, Cooper), to light the fire in the bellies of this team.
This game in no way should be the determining factor for Bradley’s future with the team. Although I think the next game vs. Mexico on Feb 7th, will be more of a litmus test, against a better team, and a much more hostile crowd. This will show us how Bradley will strategize with the majority of the team on hand to lend their talents, maybe with exception of Gooch (who is currently rumored to be close to signing with Chelsea), and Dempsey (who just signed with Fulham). Seeing how Bradley incorporates the vets with the hungry youngsters and how they work well together, will definately be something I am interested in seeing.
Another key for the new coach is how he "motivates" Donovan (and a few others that haven’t shown up), which up til now has not been an easy task. For me, Donovan is a massive disappointment, he virtually disappeared in the World Cup and besides converting the PK, showed more cautiousness than agressiveness on the pitch Saturday. In my book, the so-called leader of this team, at his age - should be competing week after week in a European League, as many of the other players that are currently on or have just retired from the National Team (McBride, Reyna, Gooch, Beasley, Howard, etc). His one attempt in Europe, a less than inspiring stint at Bayer Leverkusen in which he was sent back to the MLS, came from the player that has been called the best on our team. I say he has failed to live up to his expectations, and we have to find a coach that can channel him to perform, or have the fortitude to bench him for a much hungrier up and coming star. We also need to find a coach that is willing to expand the player pool with other European players that are being overlooked, like Jay DeMerit, that can contribute to our team.
I personally think that in order for our team to get to the next level, whether it is 2010 or beyond, we need to get a coach with viable international coaching experience AND success. We have a list of potential candidates out there, from well known Club coaches to those with varied International success. But, I would be willing to concede that Bradley is up to task if he could begin to do some of the things that I discussed. At the end of the day, I would love to see another American take us to the next level, but as many other FAs around the world have done, moving toward a successful foreigner might be the way to instill the passion and excitement back into our team and get our fans excited again.
So let us all relax and hold back on the premature coronation of Bradley as our new US National team head coach, and let see the US Team perform on the pitch against quality opponents, rather than just 45 mins of quality ball against a less than stellar side from Scandanavia. There is no need to make this important decision this quickly and we do have some time to make sure we have the right person leading our team!
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4 Responses to “WHOA! Lets Not Crown Bob Bradley Just Yet”
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Couldn’t agree more on the Donovan/coach relationship. As far as judging Bob, I don’t think that will be fair even after the Mexico game. It takes a lot longer to build a team than the time people have given him. So far though, so good.
Yes - I didn’t necessarily mean that the Mexico game was the only factor, just think that its MUCH more of a litmus test than the Denmark game. I just thought its pretty unbelievable that some are using the Denmark game as a deciding factor!
It is quite unbelievable that anyone could watch the Bradley bunch and say that they were well coached. Just look at what the positioning did for the team last world cup. The US only switched the ball a couple of times in the last friendly. Starting his son. He did drift from the center of the field a couple of times. The other players would not pass him the ball for 1 reason — he was not a national level player. There are several College Div 1 mids that are a whole lot better than Bradley. It is easy to “play good” when not in the game. IF this had happened in Europe — can you say coach fired!!! There are a lot of players that are not in their natural position. AND what is this crap about calling Beasley over and have him sit on the bench. The team’s positioning alone will preclude the team from doing well in the world cup. A top 10 club team is better positioned — Memphis Futbal Club. WE NEED A WORLD CLASS COACH. At least Bradley did not to invite Eddie A to camp. He did better than that — his son!!! But his son will never be good enough to play in Europe and may be not in the MLS… It is very embarrassing to see the “player” Bradley even on the field… he’d get killed against a better team. The last coaching US National team was not very good — why invite some one that was apart of it back… 3-0 does not mean that the Coach is any good. Watching the games will indicate otherwise. You think Bradley could ever get a European coaching job — NO…
John, I totally agree with your assessment. People get blinded by the 3-0-1 record since he has been Interim Coach - I have to say the uninspiring play during the Guatemala match should remind most of them about the need of a big name foreign coach.
We need to a) make sure that all top flight foreign league players are called up for our team. For the sole reason that they play against the best of the best. Jay DeMerit covers some of the best players in the world week in and week out and should beat out those that are in the MLS.
Although Donovan snapped out of it during the Ecuador game, he has to be consistent and do that game in and game out. He hasnt proven that to me - and we need a coach to have the balls to say either put up or sit out! Bradley would never do that. In my estimation thats why Jurgen didn’t get the job - Sunil wouldn’t stand to give him 100% control, as I feel he is calling some shots still.
Until Sunil can stand back - hire a proven world class coach - US Soccer will be one of the best in CONCACAF - not the world!