While it certainly would have been different with the 1st team, I view this performance (a 1-3 loss) as a further indictment of Bradley:
- He doesn’t know what a “true quality” player is.
- He simply has no tactical understanding.
On the first point, does he mean to tell me these “second string” players are the best we have in the entire country? No way man, this country has much better to offer!
On the second point, he can’t even compete with a soccer “minnow” at home. As with all the USMNT games, he just throws 11 on the pitch and hopes for the best. His coaching instruction isn’t much more than saying “work hard guys”. There is no style, no identity, no detailed tactical roles for each player. It’s all individual play!
We’ve witnessed his training sessions at the HDC since he took over, including 3 times this month. We’ve heard what comes out of his mouth, and we witnessed the quality of these players.
On one hand, this showing pisses me off to no end! On the other, I try to be optimistic that these types of performances expose him – and indirectly our federation – as incompetent.
But alas, this is only clear to a handful …
The Tsunami of Excuses Start Rolling In
Gee, what a surprise. Many American fans, reporters, commentators, bloggers just can’t help themselves but to excuse their team and coach.
- Downplaying the importance or significance of the match.
Um, I’m sure each one of these players would disagree with you. But I know, I know, the spirit of the excuse is actually to brush aside the result as meaningless – it has no bearing on what our showing at the World Cup will be. Wrong! Although these aren’t the starting WC players, this will be the coach. And this is a direct exposure to not only his judgement of talent, but his tactical understanding (or lack thereof).
- Red card & the game is over.
Really? Yes it hurts like a bitch, but it certainly can be manageable. For starters you would expect to see a reaction and different attitude from our players, now being down to 10 men. How about showing some balls and working twice as hard? That didn’t happen! How about the team showing something tactically new, huh Bradley? Nope.
By contrast, a day later Inter had to play with a man down for 60 minutes against AC Milan. Morinho and his team not only held AC Milan scoreless, but tagged on an additional goal.
Or how about our very own US holding down the fort down a man for 45 minutes against none other than eventual World Cup champs Italy (not Honduras @ home in case you’re wondering) in 2006 WC?
This isn’t an impossible task. And even if you don’t win in the end, you can at least have a respectable showing. Weak excuse for weak people!
- Poor referee.
Please. The PK and attached yellow card was warranted. Of all things, if he missed anything important it was calling a foul on the US goal. I hear crickets about that by the way – nobody’s saying a word. How 1st grade of you to go with this excuse!
- This was our B-team, so who cares.
Are you serious? If you truly feel this way, you’re a prime example of what’s wrong with soccer in this country. Yeah, I’d like to hear that one come out of a fan’s mouth – or an analyst – from a true soccer nation! And by the way, that wasn’t Hondura’s 1st team either …
- The guys are not in form. They’ve been on break from the MLS season.
Sweetheart, we were playing against a half-strength Honduras team. Having a multi-week concentration at the HDC should not only be enough time to get match-fit, but for a coach to implement some semblance of tactical structure. What our guys showed was not lack of form, this is their form!
Enough Already!
Stop with the spin, and make a real effort to gain some insight. Excuses are not insight. These things are not what you should be taking away from matches. This is not proper analysis. Neither is simply saying; “Our players suck”. When a team loses, it’s not always because your players are less talented. That’s way too shallow and doesn’t strike at the heart of the problem:
Your dear Bob Bradley!
Kudos man, Kudos! This is brilliant stuff. I am tired of all these fk’n excuses. The USMNT played like crap that was a poor excuse for soccer man up and admit it. They complain about everything, what about the US’ goal, that was a clear foul inside the 6 yard box on the keeper.
Tactically, they were terrible. Like you said, no identity, Bob Bradley seriously just threw players out on the field and hoped for the best. For instance, he made 4 subs at one point in the second half, posssibly to give everyone a look but there was no tactical strategy behind that.
& brillian example with the Inter v Milan game, I watched that game and kudos to Inter and Morinho they strategized and grew a pair of balls and played hard. They stayed compact and countered effictively. Although Milan managed the game, Inter deserved the win because they played more effectively. Back to the US, they had no strategy once they fell one man short they just played without one, exactly like they did when they had 11.
I’m glad you see it this way Quique!
The more we realize these things, the better our game will be in the long run.
I agree with you but this wasn’t our B team it was our C team in other words I’m gonna say what a B team would be guzan, torres, beasley, holden, ching, he shoulda started pearce, casey, goodson, hell he shoulda called altidore and give adu a chance since they rarely get playtime in europe.. the line up shoulda been guzan bornstein goodson wynne and a new player benny, kjlestan, adu, torres casey and altidore..all these players are under 23 exept for two and these r part of our future bradley needs to change up tactics and play crosses in with casey in and attack more directly if he had altidore and adu in there since they can break the defense either way these players represented the usa although bradley claims he is looking for new youn talent come on beckerman conrad these guys r old as hell
Hi jorge.
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!
Best analysis I’ve read of the game and situation. Part II will be more difficult: Real life steps to fix the situation. (Keep it real and don’t say “cash flow” unless you’re prepared to donate the funds.)
Thanks for the comment Ben!
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”!
I agree…Bob Bradleys evaluation of players and his choices have been a complete disgrace to this country!!! I would really like to see Freddy Adu get a shot…even if he isn’t playing that much in Greece. At least Freddy has flair, style, deception, and creativity…these are things our country is lacking! Also…Freddy Adu has a good touch and can keep the ball. When was the last time you saw us link 10 passes together??? My High School girls can link 10 passes together. Last note…what is more classic American politics in soccer than having the coaches son play the most important position on the field??? By the way…Argentina has Marradona….Brazil has Dunga…Who is Bob Bradley???
Hi Brandon. I hear you man …
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!
Let’s get to the bottom of this problem by exposing the “man” behind the decisions. Who is the person that makes the important decisions in relations to our National Team and National Programs? Who is the architect of US Soccer or lack there of. Find this person and you will find the “Wizard of Oz.”
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.
The people in charge of soccer in our country don’t even know how to recognize a good player. its ridiculous. Is conner casey the best we have? are you fkn kidding me. Its sad that soccer goes so downhill in college as well. Some of the club teams that are U-16-U-19 are great. I think our college coaches lack knowledge of the game.
What are you talking about Ron!
Connor Casey is a world class striker!!!
…
Hahaha, ok April fools aside, your comment on Casey is hilarious. The guy is horrific. But he fits right in with most of his colleagues on the national team – they are not the best! Not even close. The same goes for player selection at MLS, college, and club level.
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?
I think what’s wrong with this analysis, and this site, is that you guys assume that there is a vast expanse of players who are ready for this national team that Bob Bradley just isn’t calling up and you’re completely wrong. Did you bother to name names or offer examples of players who you think Bob Bradley should have played/ called in? No. That’s because there are hardly any players that fit that category, if any at all.
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.
Excellent post Gary! I totally thought you were referring to Klinsmann yesterday.
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