What Went Wrong

 

 

As I’m sure you have heard by now, the U.S. was knocked out of the world cup by Ghana (again) by a score of 2-1, on overtime.  As they have all tournament, the U.S. conceded a goal early.  They went down 1-0 in just the 5th minute.  They were able to level the score in the 62nd minute off 0f a Donovan penalty kick.  They took that score to overtime, but once again conceded early.  Ghana were able to take the lead only 3 minutes into overtime, and were able to hold on to that lead.  As a result, the U.S. went home.  After a heartbreaking loss like this, somebody needs to take the bulk of the blame.  That person needs to be the head coach, Bob Bradley.

In this world cup, the U.S. made a habit out of starting the game slow, flat, and uninspired.  As a result, they conceded a goal in the first 13 minutes in 3 of their 4 games.  The only game they didn’t concede an early goal was against Algeria, who hit the post in the 6th minute of play.  This pattern of starting slow and falling behind early is a direct reflection of the coach.  It wasn’t just a player here and there who started slow.  Every single starter did, every game.  Bob Bradley should have figured out why this was happening, and fixed it.  Due to thesse slow starts, the U.S. had to consistently play from behind and expend more energy as the game went on.  Eventually, the U.S. ran out of gas.  The start of a game is so important, and we need a coach who can maximize our talent for all 90 minutes of a game.

Another reason is Bradley’s line up choices.   Bob Bradley riskily chose Ricardo Clark to partner his son, Michael Bradley, in the center of the midfield against England.  Clark was at partial fault for England’s goal in the 4th minute and continued to make defensive mistakes throughout the game.  Clark didn’t see the field in the next 2 games.  A combination of Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber were used to partner Michael Bradley.  Both performed well.  Out of nowhere, Bradley chose to start Clark once again in center midfield against Ghana.  In the 5th minute, Clark was stripped of the ball by Ghana’s Kevin Prince Boateng, who took the ball to goal and scored.  Clark was then dealt a yellowcard on an ill-advised tackle.  His poor play forced Bradley to bring on Maurice Edu in only the 31st minute.  Bradley then brought Benny Feilhaber on after half time.  Both midfielders went on to have very strong games.  Bradley then took Jozy Altidore off before overtime began, even though Altidore was looking quite lively while Dempsey and Michael Bradley were looking extremely tired and sluggish.  Bradley’s terrible line up decisions may have cost the U.S. this game, as it was still theres for the taking, even with all of the coaches mistakes.

Bradley was not able to correct the United States’ mistakes this whole tournament.  Instead of correcting them, he contributed to the mistakes with his line up decisions.  I have been saying it for years, and hopefully it will now be realized.  It is an absolute tragedy to have Bob Bradley as the head coach of a team with so much talent and promise.

US National Team Preview: Midfield

Ok this is where it gets crazy confusing. If you thought it was a cluster in the defense you ain’t seen nothing yet. The midfield has 3 guarantees, 1 of which is currently out injured, a couple probables and about 10 players vying for the last 3 spots (remember my taking 8 defenders, 8 middies, 4 forwards).

Some of it depends on if players are granted eligibility and a lot of it has to do with how players perform in the next couple months (and if they can stay healthy).

Without further delay let us dive straight into the midfield that I believe will be on the plane.
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