Many people are raising questions again against head coach Bob Bradley for the United States National Team.
Bradley time and time again has proven he heavily relies on American Talent playing the top flight of soccer in Europe, with a little mix of American Playing MLS Players. What made Bruce Arena successful 99-2002 was his influx of MLS players and American players playing abroad, Arena wasn't afraid to test out new talent from the MLS pool along with his regulars, the system proved to work based off there success in the 2002 World Cup where they were robbed of a win vs Germany when a German player hand balled the off the goal line. His ultimate downfall was in the 2006 World Cup he tried to use the old dogs which proved to fail, taking Brian Ching over Taylor Twellman also proved costly. Granted he didn't play Ching, but could Ching's big body have contended better against the world powers? No one knows.
Bradley time and time again has proven he heavily relies on American Talent playing the top flight of soccer in Europe, with a little mix of American Playing MLS Players. What made Bruce Arena successful 99-2002 was his influx of MLS players and American players playing abroad, Arena wasn't afraid to test out new talent from the MLS pool along with his regulars, the system proved to work based off there success in the 2002 World Cup where they were robbed of a win vs Germany when a German player hand balled the off the goal line. His ultimate downfall was in the 2006 World Cup he tried to use the old dogs which proved to fail, taking Brian Ching over Taylor Twellman also proved costly. Granted he didn't play Ching, but could Ching's big body have contended better against the world powers? No one knows.
How many times can the United States get lucky when going down a goal or two, to find there heart and balls and fight there way back into the match. It could either be a compliment to be the come back kids or it could be a slap in the face because it proves you can't do that unless you go down. All that lies on the preparation pre game. It also appears Bradley's down fall will be relying heavily on the old guard.
Flash back to Arena's gold cup roster vs his 2002 World Cup roster you see a drastic change in the talent pool he and Onalfo pulled into the team, to give fresh new talent a look. Only 7 players from the 2002 WC Squad suited up for the 2005 Gold Cup where's 15 new players got the call, players such as Jim Conrad, Matt Reis, Pablo Mastroeni and Josh Wolff got the call.
Bob Bradley could have used this gold cup to get a look at new players such as Omar Gonzalez, Teal Bunbury, AJ Dela Garza, Nick Riamando, Tally Hall, Michael Harrington, Brad Davis, Bobby Convey, among others. Where's Brad Guzan? Wasn't he supposed to be the successor to Tim Howard? This would have been a perfect time to give him the number 1 slot in a tournament that means something to show what he's got. Why call in Hahnamenn, he's not any younger, why not call in Tally Hall from Houston or give Nick Riamando the go? We already know what Tim Howard can do, but its time to develop new talent.
Questions will always be raised but the direction the United States is going is down the wrong path. I will always put faith into the United States soccer system, but there will always be what ifs, opinions, questions and WTF moments.
I personally believe its time to look other places for a new head coach. Why not Jason Kreis who knows the American Talent Pool. His success in the CC and turning one of the worst MLS teams sense the inception to be pulled off the field from actively playing fighting off criticism to build a perennial title contender each season should warrant a strong argument for his insertion as the Head Coach. Chants were heard around the stadium vs Panama where the United States Lost calling for Kreis to take the team. Sunil Gulati please listen to the people!
Jason Kreis and Dominic Kinnear are good choices if you want to retain an American coach. Ditto Sigi Schmid. However, the Euro countries have stepped up their game in the past 20 years and the US needs to keep up if they are to contend and win the World Cup (yes). The only way is to return to the European style of coaching. They blew it twice when the USSF refused to hire someone because he wanted too much power. Well, if it means giving away the candy store and letting him run things, then let it be. Isn't the goal to win the World Cup? ;)
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ReplyDeleteA bit of an update--Jurgen Klinsmann is the new coach. After several games the jury is still out but the real test will come next year when the US starts World Cup qualifying. Then we'll know for sure if this was a good pick. :) But I'm not really holding my breath. With him the team is expected to get to Brazil AND get to at least the Elite 8. Stay tuned. ;)
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