1-Howard, 2-Bornstein, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 7-DaMarcus Beasley, 8-Clint Dempsey, 10-Landon Donovan, 12-Michael Bradley, 15-Jay DeMerit, 16-Sacha Kljestan, 17-Jozy Altidore, 21-Jonathan Spector
- All other players make the bench, with Ricardo Clark suspended.
- Bornstein is carrying a yellow card from the first game, and will miss the next match if booked.
1-Julio Cesar, 2-Maicon, 3-Lucio (c), 5-Felipe Melo, 8-Gilberto Silva, 9-Luis Fabiano, 10-Kaka, 11-Robinho, 15-Miranda, 16-Andre Santos, 18-Ramires
- Nobody on Brazil is carrying a yellow card.
- Defender, Juan, who started the last match, is listed as injured.
Posts
92 comments:
Where is Carlos Bocanegra?
I really like this lineup... a lot actually.... the only thing that would make it better is making it 12 men and putting 'Los in there.... GOOD LUCK TODAY!!! I'll be watching on the DL while at work today!!!
Terrible...bob needs to rethink his starting 11...or hopefully after this, someone else will be =)
Why no Torres? This lineup cannot hold possession.
This is basically the same midfield that has played mediocre soccer and turned the ball over for months.
...and Brazil scores.
Bradley is SO predictable. I knew SK and DB would start. Beasley gets no time for his club but starts ahead of Torres. I'm done.
Please take out DB!
Onyewu is a total DONKEY!
I can't believe this guy is on the national team. But, that is why the US doesn't compete well. They don't bring the best U.S. players to the table. Way, way too much politics involved.
It's a shame.
Beasley does not deserve to play. Him getting any playing time is a slap to the face to all of us that support the US. GET HIM OFF THE SQUAD AND GET SOMEONE THAT CAN ACTUALLY PLAY IN THERE
If anyone associated with USSF is reading this, please please please get us a coach that can win. We have too much talent to squander it like this. Why are we unable to shoot on goal?
Terrible choice on Beasley. That could have been Torres or Adu!! PLEASE!
TIME FOR NEW COACH!!!
This team resembles the teams of 15 years ago yet i know the players on the field are far more talented, which is why a coaching change is necessary. In short, we are playing long lazy balls, no ball control, lackadasical defense, and showing little energy and effort. US soccer has come too far to settle for this sort of effort. NEW COACH!!!
Another BobBradley masterpiece!!!
BRILLIANT bob...freakin BRILLIANT!!!
Dear Bob-
Why in the world is there a double PT standard for Beasely versus Adu?
Yours Truly,
Nottafanovbob
No heart, no leadership, next coach please
HURRY US SOCCER! KLINSMANN IS UNEMPLOYED. SACK BOB, AND SUNIL THINK JURGEN WANTS TO MUCH CONTROL OVER THE FEDERATION SACK HIM TOO.
ENOUGH! WE NEED A BIG NAME EUROPEAN COACH.
This is pathetic. DMB did not merit a start nor should he get any other starts from here on. I do not understand how someone like Torres has been left rotting at the bench when he has clearly been playing regular club soccer and has participated in prestigious tournaments with Pachuca. This is plain nonsense! It is time for change!!!!!!!!!!! As a fan, I am very upset right now.
Please Please can we fire Bob Bradley now??????
In the past few weeks we have seen the worst US Soccer team fielded in years!! I can hardly believe my eyes when I watch some of these anonymous players attempt to handle basic soccer skills like a trap, or getting the ball on the ground!
I am embarrassed for my country and this soccer program and ashamed of the coach for fielding players who can not even play the game!
I am an avid player and fan for 40 years. I played college soccer so I have a clue!!
This team - if it can be called so - is pathetic!!
This team needs criticism, show the negative posts
They're terrible! Another bad challenge leading to a red card...was it a red, probably not but it was really a bad decision on his part. The only players who played well for most of the game were Donovan, Onyewu, and Spector. Bradley had good moments as did Benny. I think it's time to get a new coach in and freshen things up b/c this simply isn't enough.
Bob needs to be fired. Beasely is washed up, Conner just is bad, Torres needs to be in. Bob made the worst possible starting lineup then with subs somehow made it even worse. Adu needs to play more and we need to go back to the basics about defending.THIS IS A BAD COACH, WHO HAS NO CLUE WHAT HE IS DOING
Beasley should not be starting any games if has is not getting the playing time. Dempsey is completely a different player from what I remember in 2006. This team is painfully to watch and support. We are trying to promote soccer in States and yet our national team can't even string three passes together. From what I hear, offensive passing and shape is the last thing on the agenda in Bradley's practices. Please Bob, resign your position for the good of our nation.
Are you kidding me? Is BA back at the helm. Stop relying on players who can't cut it at the highest level. Does this just say it all?
"Donovan's short corner rolled under DaMarcus Beasley's boot and straight to a yellow shirt. The counter-attack that followed was simply unstoppable," Thanks for the services DMB but goodbye!
If you could please let the boys know to keep their heads up do so! It sucks to be put into positions like we were in these last two games. I'm glad we didn't sink to their level, we just can't give up and we have to go into every game knowing that there might be bad calls and gifted goals. Just try to overcome them!
Fire Bradley after this display. Poor choices in the lineup and bad tactics.
Another thoroughly embarassing performance! Absolutely horrible. This team is going downhill and very fast under Bradley. Can someone explain why Bradley seems to hate players capable of holding the ball? Torres, Adu, Feilhaber? Torres was clearly the best US player in the first half against Costa Rica, so Bradley takes him off at halftime and we haven't seen him since. Unbelievable!
bob needs to be fired, and literally, to make sure he never coems back
How did we get to this point? We aren't just losing, we are not competitive. We don't appear to have the talent, coaching or organizational where with all to compete at this level.
Adu and Torres need to be playing.... Beasley needs to sit...
terrible line up...as the result shows. terible coaching.
Bob Bradley better be ripping the likes of Clint Dempsey and DeMarcus Beasley off the U.S. MNT player pool sheet. They are a disgrace to our national program and don't deserve to step on the field again for the U.S. I've been saying it for 3 years on Beasleys account and the fact that Dempsey decided to make a completely selfish move to give up on the game and try and show his 2nd rate skill to try and impress the Brazilians who are probably laughing at him right now in the locker room. The USMNT is in a state of crisis right now. We need to bring in every player we can that we think can help our team and most of all, players that will actually fight on the field. Players like Stuart Holden, Josh Wolff deserves another look, Davy Arnaud, Kenny Cooper, and countless others that are working hard in the MLS. Players abroad like Jemal Johnson. We missed Ricardo dearly today, he is a game changer. He plays with speed and pace with every touch of the ball he gets. The red card was ridiculous once again today but we shouldn't have played so passionless in the 1st half. If we had Klinnsman running the team today, he wouldn't have a problem benching our so called stars. Grow some balls Bob.
beasley are you kidding me !? Coach needs to go. beasley has not been good since 02
when you fire a coach you are supposed to move forward. Not regress, we were better with arena. No hope for 2010.
This isn't entirely Bradley's fault. There's no question we need someone who can coach at the international level, and Bradley is not that person. But Bradley came in as an interim. He didn't hire himself. If this is the best team we can field we need to be looking at the entire national organization. Change needs to come from the top and if we are to salvage anything in 2010 it needs to happen immediately. Demarcus was headed for a great career when one injury after another robbed him of his fight.
Not since 2001 when we barely qualified for WC 2002, have I felt ashamed of our team and fearful that anything and everything could go wrong at any moment. Too late fore that! It's like 1998 all over again.
Fire Bob bring someone else in. Heck bring back Bora. Even Irag looks better than us. Iraq still lost, but they looked good doing it, even if boring while doing it.
The price is wrong BOB!
In football you can either be lucky or you can be good. Well, we aren't lucky and we aren't good.
Our players need to learn to defend as a team instead of lunging around the pitch making poorly timed slide tackles like age-group players. Two sendings off in two games? Seriously, we have more talent than many teams but we're far less effective. We need a coach that has some defensive savvy, rather than instructing our defensive players to run about pressuring the ball with no shape, constantly getting exposed. Poor team defense is a symptom of poor management. We are now talented enough to beat poor teams but aren't even competitive against good teams because of our playground tactics. And to top it off our much-hyped "star" Landon Donovan is a joke of a footballer who should be benched. We don't have the luxury of such a sporadically effective attacking player who doesn't do much defending against these teams. He hides in big games. Everyone must work.
I'm not necessarily a Bob Bradley fan or hater... but clearly the last 3 weeks have shown that he and this group of players is in over their head.
As others have mentioned, the midfield is in need of a serious overhaul. Now that the US is out, will Bob have the guts to play different players in the final game vs Egypt.
Pathetic.
Just pathetic.
Bob, it's time to go.
I hope this is some kind of MANIACAL PLAN to lull the world back to into complacency and to take us for granted again...because only a maniac would coach like Bob did in this tournament.
The team looked ill-prepared, as their touch looked horrendous and the timing and communication between the defenders and mids was bad.
My only criteria was to look respectable and show improvement from game to game, but neither was accomplished (sans the first 25 mins against Italy).
Bob HAS TO GO! We need a coach who isn't afraid to ATTACK...or at least put guys on the field who can attack.
The money we spend on him is small compared to the money the program will lose to lack of interest from us fans.
Mark and Elizabeth said
"Why no Torres? This lineup cannot hold possession. This is basically the same midfield that has played mediocre soccer and turned the ball over for months."
---
Interesting that an average soccer fan can point out prescient insight...yet it's entirely beyond the coach to do the same.
What is wrong with the team and getting a red card every game???…This is unacceptable!!! Mexico is going to kill us in the Azteca on August 12th…and if we keep playing this bad, we will be fighting the 4th position for the world cup qualifiers. As much as I love the team….I am so angry at the guy today!!
I have been following the U.S. Men’s team for thirty years. This passionless inept performance was one of the worst. Beasley has been over the hill for years. Sasha is a wimp and cannot play at this level. Josey could not keep the ball if you shoved it in his shorts. When I saw the lineup I knew the result was inevitable.
FIRE BRADLEY AND START OVER.
Pay Klinsmann anything or be embarrased in South Africa.
Tom
Unacceptable, why was Sasha AND Beasley starting? Unbelievable!
Bob Bradley has no imagination. We are less talented then Brazil, yes, but if our big strength is preparation and organization - WHY have we given up early goals in 3 of the last 4 games? Are we not prepared or organized?
And starting Beasley? and Kjlestan after his horror show the last couple of qualifiers?
We need a coach with good history directing national teams, not clubs. I hear a lot about Y. Klinstman*, he did not do good with Germany or Bayer…I would prefer somebody like Ricardo Lavolpe, Mexico played its best soccer with him, and he recruits young kids. I think one problems is that some of the player of the current US team, think that cannot be replaced and do not put as much effort as they should. Bradley puts all the responsibility in Donovan and Tim Howard…that is not going to work. It’s time to move on with another coach. Bradley is a good coach; do not get me wrong, but not good enough to move to the next level…
Where were Torres and Adu is the question? Why do Bennie F only come on in the second half? We are so blind in this country to true soccer talent and players...the team was lethargic and lacked any sort of passion...even my favorite Dempsey should be ashamed of his play...there is no leadership, no ganas and no heart...the match against Brazil was a disgrace..looked like college soccer. Make whatever excuses you want but we don't and can't even get the fundamentals of the game correct....simple defending and ball possesion seems to be a lost art....stupid immature fouls abundant....and being ok with being stripped of a ball and not chasing the man down is standard for the likes of Donovan and Casey...whom by the way can barely walk let alone run...is that what we have pinned our WC hopes on these days....I knew Bob Bradley for many years as a regional team member and national team pool alternate who never got the chance to represent this country on the world stage but I can promise you that if I did I would have left my heart and soul on the feel for this team and country...more than I can say for these young players some of whom have no right to put the jersey on....
I have been a USsoccer fan since 1982. I have followed the team and have been to most games from Paysandu Argentina to France and Germany. I have written to you on various occasions and you have responded. You should know who I am by name now. I just finished watching the US-Italy game and I must say again that, the head Coach, Bob Bradley absolutely does not know what he is doing at an international level. He only relies on the skills of his players to win games, which is the reason why they have won so far. It is obvious that he makes random decisions and crosses his fingers, instead of leading and guiding the team to victory, as a real head coach would do. The first and most obvious bad decision Bradley makes, is in his choice to include his son in every game. Mike Bradley is not a kind player that should be playing against teams like Italy or Brasil. His skills are not at that high of a level and I guarantee you that any other head coach would not have called him to play for one of the most valuable slots on the team. Bradley’s decision making is equivalent to crap shooting. This was obvious during the Italy game today, when he took out Jozy Altidore, who was the strongest offensive player making all of the US offensive opportunities and leaving in the weakest player, Jonathan Bornstein, who was under skilled undersized for a team like Italy and probably the worst player on the team. When Jozy Altidore left the field, all US hopes went with him. Also, there are obviously much better goalkeepers available than Howard. Bradley or almost any coach for that matter can easily win in the CONCACAF division, which holds the weakest teams in the world but at the world top level, Bob Bradley will always lose because he simply is under qualified to choose national players and to coach the US team to a world title. I don’t understand why USscoccer Governance and its Board of Directors have yet to recruit a wining international Coach, which would lead the US team to world title and I am not talking abut a CONCACAF coach. The players are ready. They are only faulting leadership from the executive level at US Soccer. I guess the first thing that should be done is to fire the President Sunil Gulati, CEO Daniel T. Flynn and to overhaul the Board of Directors, replacing them with an International sports minded executive staff with a history of winning. The current Board of Directors has proven incompetent as they have been installed since the early 80s and over the last 30 years have failed to win a world title. It’s not like they are short on money, as USsoccer Governance steadily spends on lavish hotels and resort conferences. The USA has no chance in the World Cup 2010 and although they may get there, they are being set up to be embarrassed again, which is heartbreaking to me and millions of fans.
The last time that I wrote you, I spoke in general terms. Now after watching the Brazil-USA game, I decided to take notes so that I can give you some specifics.
1) Let’s start with the ridiculous formation. I’m not sure if it was a 1-5-4. 1-4-5 or a sad 2-5-3 but none the less, totally in appropriate for a team like Brazil. If you have just 1 attacker you force the other team to dedicate the defense and mid defense to play forward, as they would have no need to cover the back. Why would you want to force Brazilian players forward to attack? Also, with only 1 person forward, you can count on 1x5 on any type of offensive or counter attack. Do you really think the US MNT has a player that can go 1x5 against Brazil? Clearly not. So what the formation 1-5-4 did was force Brazil to attack more and give the USA no chance for an offensive, should Brazil have scored, which they did. This is complete coaching incompetence.
2) Mike Bradley was the reason why Brazil scored the 1st goal. It was because his foul on top of the area that allowed the free kick. M. Bradley also had 17 missed passes and could have scored a goal in the 1st half but chose to pass in the area, instead of shooting with 2x5. This is inexperience. He is not a world level player and should not have been called. His negatives outweigh his positives.
3) There was absolute no leader on the field. There was no leadership in the back, mid or front and this falls completely on the coach.. No team can perform without a leader and although Donovan wore the captain’s band, he was out of place. Donovan should be concentrating on attacking and who leads needs to play in the center or back midfield, another coaching error.
4) There was no coverage on defense. The players were not attacking the ball either offensively or defensively. They stood and watched the play occur instead of making the play. On offense, nobody wanted the ball and on defense there was no man to man. This probably was a result of the weird formation or lack of leadership.
5) The goalkeeper looked lost most of the game.
6) Even after Brazil scored 2 goals, there was no change in formation. The team continued to keep only 1 attacking forward to combat 5 Brazilian defenders. Absurd and another coaching mistake.
7) Jonathan Bornstein was the weakest player as he lost the ball 9 times, with 3 in the area. He also committed 3 fouls on top of the area.
8) Jozy Altidore was the best player on the field, again and was the only visible player trying to lead. Most of the time he played against 7 Brazilian defenders and even though he went 1x7, he continued to gain possession of the ball and pass properly. Coach Bradley took him out, again..a big coaching error.
9) There was a big hole in the back left side of the field, even before the Red card. No player was within 30 meters of the area. Also, as it was clear that the team on the field was not producing, Coach Bradley did not make proper substitutions. Error again.
So in all, the same points I wrote in my last correspondence are valid and still apply. Coach Bob Bradley is not qualified to coach a national team against any top 10 world national teams, as his leadership, choosing of his players and game fundamentals at world level are incompetent. Mike Bradley should not be playing at the world level. Bornstein was the worst player on the team and Altidore was the best even though he had absolutely no front or midfield support and played 1x7, he still created chances and tried to lead the team.
The question is, “Do you want this team and its problems to continue to the 2010 World Cup?” Should not the people responsible, at the US Soccer governing body, year after year whom continue to make bad decisions and reap the benefits of high salaries and luxurious conferences resign? Why doe the US Soccer governance refuse to
Beasley has not been playing well. Why he was in? I have no idea.
Why was Torres not used instead? I have no idea.
Jones could help eliminate some of these red cards that we seem to get every tournament.
Adu might need a little playing time. Let's see how he can do.
Mr. Bradley...thanks for your years of service to the MNT. You've done some good things during your stay. After witnessing your recent choices for the line up, your discriminating against players who deserve to be on the team, but aren't and your horrible, horrible tactics during games, it's time for you to take a bow and let someone of a higher caliber step up and take us to the next level. No hard feelings, just please leave so someone can give us half a chance next year in the World Cup. You are a good man, but not the man for this job. Take care and good luck in all of your future endeavors. There are some very nice MLS expansion teams for you to apply to.
Beasely, Dempsey, Klijstan, Connor Casey shoudl be left of the team for good. when will altidor stop being such a baby and actually chase someone down after getting stripepd of the ball. our midfield is pathetic. this game today shows we need new leadership. while is sahs klijstan out there? He is not as creative as Feilhaber and is just as bad a defender. Why no Torres, at least he can hold the ball. We should have a midfield of Bradley, Feilhaber in the middle, donovan and Torres outside. Altidore up top with Davies. We suck
why doies Adu never see teh field, we need to see if he can play, at least he can hold the ball and create something. Dempsey is a joke, a flopper, a whiner who has a much inflated opinion of his skills
What a horrible job the team did today. DB should not play for the national team EVER AGAIN!! He does not play for his club yet he can start over Torres? I vote for Bob Bradley to get fired and the president of US Soccer the same and lets US Soccer back on track. I am ashamed to be a fan.
Van Basten is free...
The Dutch game would be a great fit for us since we've lost the athleticism and work rate that used to be the hallmark of our program.
van Basten as head coach and Stewart or Johnny O as the mediator/translator/protege
We need changes! BIG changes! There is no fight, no flair and no faith in this team. One year to South Africa; any changes must occur now.
Lesser teams manage to defeat more talented teams through organization and work-ethic. Stop the fantasy that the US will ever be able to beat Italy/Brazil at their own game. We have work ethic but the organization is totally lacking. The US will never beat anyone of consequence until we learn to keep a shape in defense, maintain composure in the face of opposing team's posession and work as a team. Instead we're 10 individuals flying in making spectacular last-ditch slide tackles. That may beat Mexico but against Italy and Brazil it is just comedy defending.
Here are some observations from the past 4 games. With Michael Bradley in Def Mid we have given up 9 goals, and have not scored any goals that were not PK's. Without Bradley in the middle we have scored 1 goal from normal play and given up one goal. In the last four matches, bradley has played 3 of them which all ended in losses.
If you think that it is the defense's fault, than you do not understand the game of soccer. Games are won and lost in the midfield. You cannot (BOB BRADLEY) start two defensive midfielders and control the game. You are better off with 2 attacking mids that can control the ball.
I am utterly appalled that Bob Bradley plays players who do not contribute to the team. His son is a big example. He does nothing as a holding midfielder. He can foul well but that is it. Altidore cannot hold the ball, he is not good with his back tot he goal. He constantly looses the ball.
Why does Bradley start sasha over players that have better control on the ball and are more imaginative?
Adu, and Torres are these type of players. Sasha is not worthy of a roster spot. Connor Casey is a typical MLS player who cannot play up to the international level.
There needs to be a website called "FIREBOBBRADLEY.COM"
The comment below is false...Mike never fouled...go watch the replay Macion hopped in the air and feel (complete dive)Mind you Macion did this 2x in the same spot. MB is a great player and one of the few we have...young and inexperianced maybe but is still one of the best if not the best mids we have.
2) Mike Bradley was the reason why Brazil scored the 1st goal. It was because his foul on top of the area that allowed the free kick. M. Bradley also had 17 missed passes and could have scored a goal in the 1st half but chose to pass in the area, instead of shooting with 2x5. This is inexperience. He is not a world level player and should not have been called. His negatives outweigh his positives.
If Bradley does not last as coach, bring on Guus Hiddink!
I didn't see the match today but seriously folks, Dempsey is the most talented midfield player we have. He learned his lesson when trying to slide tackle Cristiano Ronaldo in one of his first Fulham appearances and has actually bothered learning how to defend since then or else he wouldn't be a regular in the side. He was Fulham's top goalscorer this season as well. He often tries to do too much for the MNT but as an actual footballer he leaves the failed one-dimensional half-trick show-pony named Donovan in the shade. That would be the Donovan that pings 60 yard passes to no one out of touch under no pressure after 10 straight minutes of defending while down a man against Italy.
Somewhere along the line someone decided the US team was "good" but that really hasn't served us well. Outside CONCACAF, we're taking big steps backwards.
Hey Hey Ho Ho Bob and Sunil Got to GO
Hey Hey Ho Ho Bob and Sunil Got to Go
Ok when is Bob Bradley going to get FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough already with mediocrity! I am tired of playing “spirited games”. We should win or at least tie. Hell, I wouldn’t care if we lost, but we need to play ball. I hate BOB’s tactics; they never work. I am no longer satisfied with just beating Mexico. All we do is compete and not win! We need to get rid of players such as the beasely, Sasha, and Bornstein. They suck and it shows on the field. Connor Casey’s hustle or lack thereof…am I the only one wanting to gouge my eyes out along with my hair?? We are not showing the true futbol we are capable of playing. Quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of it. There is no show of heart. These guys these past few games take wearing the colors for granted and it shows with their play. Look at Clint Dempsey; I hadn’t seen as many beautiful dives since Greg Louganis since the Olympics. As a spectator you can tell who has heart. Landon, Goouch, Jay to mention a few. We need new blood. Where is Jose Torres, stuart Holden? There is no sense of urgency, and the one to blame is the coach.
What a putrid performance!
Dude I have been saying this since Copa America. We are not very good. I love my team, and it hurts to see us lose in this way. We need another coach with new players. Sunil please enough is enough. Fire Bradley!
Where is Corey Gibbs, Conrad, and co? We need to get better or I will no longer go to azteca and risk body, and life for my team. I am brown so Heaven forbid this type of play continue and i wear the thing I abhore, the most in this world..the Mexican Jersey!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
llorar y llorar....it means i am currently sobbing!!!!!
I am amazed at the ignorance of the posters on this forum. You all seem to think that we somehow and somewhere have a group of elite players that we simply are not using or that this is all the coach's fault. I also find it amazing that you have blinders on as to the caliber of the teams we are playing and the reality of where our talent pool lies.
The point of us playing in the Confederations Cup is not to win it, but to test what we do have. See who is reliable from game to game and who is not. What formations seem to work best for us and what do not. What players fit into certain roles and which ones were a bad gamble. Sure the outcome may not be pretty - but it is what it is --> a good learning lesson.
You all act like we are magically great enough that we should be winning the World Cup. If you would take the lineup of Brazil and assess where those players play in the leagues of the world and the price tag of all those players and match it to our own - I think you will see quite a difference. The fact that you all think that Adu should be playing and starting when two other European coaches don't even think so, is beyond my ability to comprehend your lack of intelligence. You all are acting like the soccer parent who can't believe you were just told that your kid didn't make the A team and that your kid truly is not the Super Spawn you so vehemently believe is. I for one am glad that our boys have had the opportunity to see first hand (in a tournament that really doesn't mean anything more than bragging rights) what it is going to take to make it on the world stage at any level. And beyond that - the sad thing is, you don't even realize the other things that Bob has done and implemented as part of US Soccer outside of teh MNT that is helping to create a solid structure and foundation for years to come.
I for one may not always agree with everything that the head coach will do, but I can also state with confidence that he sure knows a lot more about coaching than I do(or any of you for that matter) and about the players he has at his disposal.
And above all, I will always support our boys in their quest. Good, bad or ugly. Before you crap on our team and coach so much (you all saw how great Sven did with Mexico and he was "World Class") - how about you start mentioning all of your glorious coaching or playing credentials to back up your "intellectual" comments.
Well just call a spade a spade and that we are highly over-rated in the FIFA rankings, we have never been able to hold our own in present day competition to highly qualified opponents. With that said let's just throw it out there that Demarcus Beasley's international career is over and that is all the time i am spending on that. Bob bradley is getting a bit shakey for me. Some questionable managing choices, Conner Casey? Demarcus Beasley? Come on!!!
where was torres? where was adu? why was beasley in that game!!?? i think bob needs to search for a job in mls because he is done. he doesn't know what to do. no excuses...so what if it was brasil or italy! look at Egypt!! Hasta La Vista Bob Bradley!
And for all of those who cling to Donovan...he is the biggest primadonna of all....he can take PK's with the best of them...that's about it...the day he stopped running at the defense is the day he lost whatever little value he had when he was a decent player...he is just as weak and uselss as the rest of them....he wear's the number 10! anyone who has played at any level of futbol knows what I am talking about...he is no number 10! he should honestly be benched and pull off of it to take PK's if we are ever in need in a PK shootout. Donovan is the most over rated player in the history of MNT's. I yearn for the days of Harkes and Lalas and Ramos...at least those boys had some nuts! the one thing they would never do is not play for 90minutes...
Wow... sure Bradley made a mistake choosing an unfit Beasley and BB's probably in over his head as a national team coach. However DMB has been a loyal servant and brought us some great performances over the years. The guy's hit a career low... his confidence and fitness are shot at the moment. He's hardly past it. Does he really deserve this treatment from American fans? Some of the things I've read from fans today about DMB are treacherous.
Daisy Chick you do bring up some good points but I do disagree with you on some issues.
First of all your right the conefederations cup is just to test out our players, but honestly how many times do you need to play beasley to figure out he doesnt belong on the pitch. Also Brazils and Italys payroll is obviously larger than ours but what about costa rica and honduras. whats the excuse there and those r results that do matter. Also this is a TEAM sport you dont need high paid players (granted it helps) to get results. All you need is the RIGHT group of players and a coach that can make adjustments on the pitch and you get results. As far as supporting our team we all do thats y we take time to blog here, it just pisses me off when i see players half-assing it on the pitch and that is the coaches fault for not having discipline and control of his players. As i recall this is a game of passion some players dont show it, if you want to settle for those mediocre results thats fine i for one wont.The reality is that changes need to be made.
Landon Donovan is overrated!! I agree with him being the best PK taker but that is it. 80% of his goals are PKs, what does that say about his style? There is no heart, no urgency. We need a new style of play.
To Daisy Chick..you see, the thing is that we under no circumstances can we continue to accept mediocrocy. we've been playing for years and it's about time we got our act together. We have such a multi national culture with sufficient money and we can not convince one said New Jersey Kid to play for us.? Come on...I thank Bradley and I will forever support my country but I think like many of us it is time we kicked it into second gear. We can't so long as we have a coach like Bradley in charge. You want to compare Erikson to Bradley...Ok, He had England and look what he did. He is in no way a high class coach. I say bring in Klinnsman and get every player that can play and show them that we would love and be proud to have them play for us. Such is a player of German blood that played for the national team but because he never played in a tournament for the Germans fifa ruled he can play for us.Where is he? If he is good enough for the German team you gonna tell me he ain't good enough for us.? It is time we progressed and not settle...we the people want to see results.
Daisy it is people like you who accept ineptitude and because of it we are what we are. You my friend are also inept for thinking and having the mindset that you do. IF IT IS NOT DEMANDED IT WILL NEVER BE ACCOMPLISHED. As far as ignorance you are the one who is displaying the majority of it. How can you say "oh it's ok to lose"? This mindset might well be the reason that OUR country has not progressed when it comes to playing soccer. Someone mentioned that "First of all your right the confederations cup is just to test out our players, but honestly how many times do you need to play Beasley to figure out he doesn’t belong on the pitch. Also Brazils and Italy’s payroll is obviously larger than ours but what about Costa Rica and Honduras. What’s the excuse there and those r results that do matter"? If we as fans do not demand more CHANGE will never occur and we will never get better. As far as the other issue No one here is stating that we are better or know more than Bradley, but as seen some of us that do coach for a living know that results such as these are the ones that cost us our jobs. In any professional sport a series of embarrassing losses such as these are not acceptable by any means, by this time players have been tested enough and we should try to win. You DAISY, a ninny, mentioned that we can't beat the Brazils or play Italy close, I think you are mistaken because it has happened before. Have you forgotten Preki's strike? For not knowing these facts it makes me wonder WHO is the real "poster" as you spelled it...shouldn't it be POSER?
Amen brother.... get ready for heartache my friends!!!
First off, I would like for Harkes and Lalas to stop talking so matter of factly about the games. They did a lot for helping us achieve another level in the game, but they are not world class players. Harkes did OK in premier league, but nothing worth noting. Stop criticizing out of your realm.
Second, Bornstein sucks. He does not deserve to ever be on the field with the likes of Italy or Brazil. He seems like the eager dog whom just chases, but does not understand where to run. or pass. or tackle. or position himself. or etc.
I was once a fan of Beasley, but I think the game has passed him by. Injuries or whatever, he does not deserve to be on team. For Bradley to give him a shot at defense(unsuccessfully) and then start him against Brazil is baffling. The second goal lays on his shoulders.
The comments against Dempsey are true but misdirected. If you look at his season at Fulham, he was one of the best, if not the best player on the team. He tried to be flashy all of the time against Brazil. On Fulham, he was flashy when appropriate. That is a sign of discipline from the coach. Why do you think he was not playing the first part of the premier league season. A good coach benches players, no matter what, until they play the game correctly.
Spector solidified his role as right back. Great performance. Donovan was not utilized to his strengths. Torres has proved himself in both the Mexican league and the little time he got with the US national team. Adu, while did not receive any playing time with his French team, has played great on the US. One of the only players that not only draws opposing defenders but distributes the ball effectively into space and to the actual player, is not even thought of by Bradley. Altidore, also not a player with time with his club has played very well.
The lineup sucks. I once thought Bob Bradley was a good idea. I even was on his side bringing unexperienced players to Copa America, but this is crunch time. You do not test linups and formations for this tournament. Yes, it does not mean anything, per say, but it is so close to the World Cup that you play with the complete best to truly gauge your direction.
Anyone watching the game noticed the best team on the field pressured the ball on defense. we held our players back, in both games, on defense. We only attacked the ball if we had a glimmer of hope that the play would turn into a counter attack. Brazil attacked the ball because they felt it was their possession and not ours. Completely different mentality. Attack the ball on defense and move in any direction possible to keep possession on offense.
Sorry for the long post but I am completely frustrated with the coaching. Sorry, Bobby B, your son can stay, but you gotta go.
CM2
this is a TEAM sport you dont need high paid players (granted it helps) to get results.
No but highly paid players are an indication of the caliber of players - that's why they are paid more. Duh! If we need to do a rundown for you on Brazils players and what teams and leagues they play on vs our guys - I think you would get my drift. Don't forget - the Brazilian coach has been talking about how his players are gassed from the long season, the WCQ's ad the travel for the cup and needing a break. Our guys are in the same boat and most of them had to play a man down against Italy the other night. Then they have to play a man down for a spell today as well. I'm not saying there couldn't have been a bit more effort - but they have to be gassed as well, not to mention it is hard to get your engine in 5th gear when you are down and out against one of the best teams in the world. I will say - there is no vocal leader on the field and that i lacking. Frankie is out and we don't have anyone that is like a ROy Keane - I wish we did.
As to Froza - are you serious? First of all, if you have the chance to date Jennifer Aniston or Christina Rici, who would you go for? Of course you go for the hot girl. Italy is the hot girl that Rossi went for. He knows with Italy he has a chance to WIN a World Cup. As for Subotic - He's arrogant and got a chance to play somewhere that he also thought he could WIN a World Cup. And get off your Klinsman Bandwagon. He coached a German team that had a solidly capable squad on HOME SOIL and had a decent prelim group to get out of. Hmmmm, kind of makes that a bit easier doesn't it. And beyond that - he "inherited" quality players at Bayern - and he STILL didn't make the grade. Yeah 0 he has really proven he is world class all right. Someone who knows how to "build a team".........
I agree with Josh, M. Bradley is one of the best players we have and one of the only ones I see fighting the entire game.
Daisy Chick,
It is fass like you and players and coaches alike that make US soccer so mediocre. The fact is we as a country are behind the rest of the world in this sport. We are behind because we are to prideful or stupid to start doing things the European way or south American or Asian for that matter. Take for example Daisy your comment about Adu. 2 European coaches don’t think he’s good enough to start on his team than why would the US national team start him. This is an ignorant statement. The fact that he doesn’t play much doesn’t mean he’s not good enough to contribute to this team. In fact I assure you Benefica and Monaco are more prestigious clubs than what Mike Bradley , Sasha, or Benny play for.
No one said we should be winning the world cup, but obviously you do not know the history of the US MNT. We were the only team in the last world cup not to loose to Italy. We were obviously a better team then than we are now. And NO, the confederations cup is not practice test for the world cup to see what we need to work on. You make it sound as if we don’t want to win. If you read any serious soccer publications you would know that there is much concern about the team because we are playing so terrible with only one year to the World Cup and we are struggling as of late in qualifying. We have good players in the player pool, but Bradley has his favorites. He also has a horrible sense of lineups and formations. Daisy you are what is wrong with American soccer, because you are ignorant of where American soccer needs to go and what talent really is. If you cannot see that Bradley has made this team worse than you have no business commenting on any blog.
I am just so sick and tired of hearing people saying that “US do not go to win; they go to test what we have…” Is there any cup then that US should try to win??? I cannot stand any more comments like “well…soccer is not a big sport in US, so the team does not really have the pressure of the country to win or do good” What the f#&k is that… US soccer has improved amazingly since these paste 10-12 years, and I give them the credit and respect for that. However, we are at the door to keep moving and going one step up…and with the coach that we have we are not going to make it.
The team since last 4 games has been playing poorly. We do not have any control of the midfield, Defenders give too many spaces to the opponents to run, look and shot. I can write a book of the problems that the team has… B. Bradley had plenty of time to work with the team…and just like many of you mentioned on this blog, Bradley by now should know exactly which players have potential, and which players do not belong to the team.
We need somebody with proven international experience directing national teams. I would like to have one of the following guys directing our team:
1. Guus Hiddink - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guus_Hiddink
2. Ricardo Lavolpe - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Lavolpe
3. Jürgen Klinsmann - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BCrgen_Klinsmann
GUS hiddink is a proven coach but jurgen and Lavolpe? lavolpe sucks
This set of results is very poor, to the point of embarrassing. Almost as bad as what the All Whites are throwing up. And there is no excuse for it. The Confederations Cup is not some "practice" tournament. It's a chance for us to test ourselves against the world's elite teams. Teams we have in the past managed to compete well against. Hell, 7/4/1994, Stanford Stadium, we held Brazil scoreless in the WORLD CUP FINALS for the first half (eventually losing 1 - 0 on a Romario goal while we were up a man). In 1998, we beat Brazil. Last World Cup, we held Italy to a draw, the only game they didn't win that finals. We have shown the ability in the past to put out on the field competitive teams, including the 2002 quarterfinal appearance at the WC Finals.
Now, we struggle to finish off wins in our Hexagonal against teams like Costa Rica and Honduras. Yes, we will qualify, but that shouldn't be good enough. We should have gone through the Hexagonal with a 9 - 0 - 1 record, or something approximating it (maybe a couple of away draws added in). We should be licking our chops at the chance to man-up and compete with the top teams after breezing through qualification.
No one expects the US MNT to consistently win against teams like Brazil or Italy. But we should not be losing to those teams 3 - 0! Look at Egypt! Is that team filled with highly paid soccer superstars?? No. But it fashioned a 1 - 0 victory over the Italians, a team that managed to humble us (admittedly undeservedly a man down) in the second half. Look at what Egypt did to Brazil! By the point in the game we lost Kljestan to a red card, Egypt had managed to level their game against Brazil, having gone two goals behind. Look at how Iraq played against a very, very good Spanish team! Is Iraq the home of highly paid soccer superstars? No.
But each of those teams has something our current team lacks: a head coach who manages to inspire his players into reaching higher than their paper form indicates they should. A coach who produces passion, energy, and dedication out of his players. A coach who doesn't stare impassively at the field while he watches one of his stars allow a short corner to slip under his foot, then watches his fullback fail to even TRY to tackle Kaka near the midfield stripe on the outlet pass, then watches as his team fail to track back against the full blown counter attack (a 3 on 1, mind you, Kaka having slipped away from his defender who didn't tackle him and superfluously arrived on the right side of the penalty area unmarked as the pass went left instead). Our coach should have thrown a clipboard, gotten disgusted, done SOMETHING to show that this was a totally unacceptable display of soccer effort. Instead, the impassive stare.
Want examples of the type of play that should never be allowed? How about Connor Casey, who comes into the last game, and certainly does good things when we have the ball (neat one-two with Altidore that leads to a shot just wide, some nice tracking back along the sideline to act as an outlet, an attempt on goal that hits the woodwork late, etc.). But have you ever really watched Connor Casey when we don't have the ball? He doesn't even TRY to interrupt the flow of passes among the fullbacks for the opposition. He walks aimlessly back and forth, waiting for when we have the ball again. No chasing down balls kicked back to the opposition 'keeper in order to force the 'keeper to potentially miskick the upfield clearance. No "high pressure" on the center backs to disrupt their distribution of the ball to the midfielders or wings. Nothing. If he was on the high school team I coach, I'd have him off the field and on the bench for such a display so fast, he'd wonder what the heck had happened.
We have talented players. We aren't the bumbling boys of the early to mid-90s, poaching foreign players who failed to make their own national team and had American dads or moms. We aren't the young, naive soccer players of the late 90s and early 00s, trying to show we were grown up enough to take on the world. We have good players. But they aren't playing well, and that, dear readers, is the fault of one person, and only one person. He stares at them impassively while they underperform. Perhaps he should stare at them impassively from the bleachers instead.
You can't tell me Bob Bradley will be coaching this team beyond the Egypt game. Seriously, how far back does this program need to fall before the BOD figures it out? Better get your act together, because you're alienating too many U.S. fans that you've gained since '94. As it stands now, this organization is fielding a coach and team that is disgraceful! Bring in Klinsmann, and for the love of the game give him free reign to choose the players he wants!
It is plain the Bob doesn't know how to coach anyone with skills. (No Adu, Torres) Kick and run come on!!! USSF please find us a COACH!!!!!
zzzzzZZZZZZZZZZ
Leave Bob Bradley alone!!! He is actually a brilliant strategist...and you will all see proof of this on Sunday when the US beat Egypt by 9 goals.
Bradley is setting everyone up to think he is not sure what he's doing. And it's not just Bradley.
The rest of the team is pretending to be unable to complete passes or traps or defend or attack creatively or shoot on goal or hustle or... all in an effort to lull Egypt into complacency.
Feilhaber almost messed up the whole charade by nearly scoring, but it just shows how good the team is to hit the crossbar while appearing lost. Sasha and Beasley are such incredible actors with their ability to literally fool all of you into thinking they were inept.
You'll all see the results Sunday when the "real" US team shows up and advances. The US will even beat Spain 4-1.
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
I'm feeling better after that nap.
Bob Bradley, no leadership, no respect, no fear! The team looks like you boring, not caring, mulling around with no excitement or creativity, NO CLUE! This team under achieves every game, even the wins! Beasley is done, Clark is a spare, Brain Ching is a waste, where is Kenny Cooper, Adu, Torres? Hey I played in pro in England and Italy in the late 80's, cap me, at least I would play with passion, creativity, and be able to hold some possession.
Oh forget it, bring on Klinsman! Ans Sunil, if this is too much for you, you can go as well!
Nice comments. You guys look like a bunch of tools in hindsight. Onyewu was the player of the tourney for us. The constant calling for Torres/Adu on this forum and others is laughable at best. Just a bunch of fanboys talking out of their hind ends.
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