Bob Bradley’s tactical changes don’t come from whole sale changes in formation and starters. It comes from changing the mentality of the team and putting players out there who can do that. Look at the Gold Cup Final; Ricardo Clark comes in for Pablo Mastroeni. Only change at the half. Then, 2 goals. How does that happen, especially after a defensive sub. It comes from putting players out there to give the team the mentality that we need. Ricardo Clark added a jolt in the midfield that not only solidified things defensively, but gave the USA some heart. The same thing can be said for the Egypt game. Charlie Davies and Ricardo Clark both come in after poor showings against Italy and give this national team the fire, heart, bravery, swagger, attitude, bite, and work rate it sorely needed. While Charlie Davies is talented, he’s not THAT good and by that I mean that he didn’t single-handedly going to turn around the Confederations Cup. What he and Ricardo Clark did do is stress the importance of keeping your head up, working hard, sticking together, and never being afraid of your opposition. Notice how the USA defended as a team, were organized, kept composed, moved as a unit, and played smart defensively against Spain. That’s something that they didn’t have before.

So without a player to rekindle that kind of mentality in this game, it’s no surprise that the team suffered the same fate as the telltale 2009 Confederations Cup team did in the first two matches of it’s tournament.

Can Bradley’s tactics be questioned? Sure. But If you ask me, his ability to manipulate his teams mentality and attitude in order to match the situation and the tactics in the game are incredible, possibly even world class.

I hate to act like a condescening ass, but please, quit acting like you guys are visionaries. U.S. Soccer is just within the past decade getting to the point that they can compete with and, ocassionally, beat the best teams in the World on a somewhat consistent basis. That’s thanks to guys like Bob Bradley. While we want to get the next level, it won’t matter who we hire if we haven’t got the players. Coaching and tactics can only take you so far. So even if Bob Bradley brings on the appropriate subs and does the appropriate things against Brazil, individually, we can’t act like they haven’t got better players. The USA can only utilize what they are better at and see how far it takes them.

The rabbit hole is very deep. If you ask me, we need a “Coaching Development Academy”. But then again, who will be doing the development?

This same person was unwilling to allow a “World Beater” to take over the reigns of US Soccer for fear of losing control to a foreigner that could just get it done. I guess it’s difficult to give up “VIP” dinners and lunches in the name of so called development. To boot, no pun intended this same person was re-elected President again unopposed. I guess from my comments you can tell who I really think needs the “boot.”

P.S. – include all of his friends.

You’re right about what our country lacks, but I think Freddy Adu is not the right player either. He had the raw talent as a young teenager. He was ready to be molded into something great, but US Soccer destroyed his potential. In my opinion, he has ball skills but is completely clueless upstairs – just like his American colleagues. This is the reason he can’t make it overseas. He’s missing a Soccer IQ!
… JMHO

Bradley is the perfect representation of an American coach. There is nothing significant that separates him from a club, college, or MLS coach. That is:
1) Pick your players
2) Then pick your starters
3) Give them a formation
4) Tell them to ‘work hard’ and ‘be aggressive’
5) Throw them on the field and hope for the best

That’s pretty much it!

Yep. That’s how I’m approaching the blog.
Part I : Clearly identify the problems.
Part II : Clearly delineate solutions.

And rest assured, we’ll always “keep it real”!

Let’s assume you’re right and this is more of a C-team. In my opinion, this further implicates Bradley. Assuming he’s looking to lock down a final 2 to 5 spots on the World Cup roster, shouldn’t he be taking this opportunity to have a final look at the B-roster?

With the WC date rapidly approaching, now is not the time for experimentation!

The more we realize these things, the better our game will be in the long run.