U.S. Coach Bob Bradley (source: TheFinalThird.com)The pitch is not even cold yet and fans everywhere are throwing around reasons why the U.S. experienced a second-straight World Cup ending loss at the hands of Ghana. I may not be the only person to say it, and I'm sure I'm far from the first, but the loss was primarily fueled by poor coaching and team selection on behalf of head coach Bob Bradley.
THE BAD NEWS
Playing a lathargic 4-4-2 formation that included an out of form Jozy Altidore, an inexperienced and clinically deficient Robbie Findley, and a Ricardo Clark incapable of keeping possession and tracking runs in his own half, Bob Bradley failed to contain the fast-paced passing of the Ghanaians. As a result, the U.S. found themselves down a goal in the first five mintues of the game.
After Bradley substituted Maurice Edu for Clark in the 31st minute, Benny Feilhaber for Findley in the 45th minute, and Hurculez Gomez for Altidore in the 91st minute, Bradley had wasted his substitutions on correcting his initial tactical miscalculation. At that point the U.S. was left with no other option than to pin their hopes on their default mode: Heroic Acts of Magic. Well, Santa Claus isn't real and even this edition of the U.S's men's soccer team runs out of magic eventually.
THE GOOD NEWS
The U.S. Men's Soccer Team is experiencing some growing pains, it's safe to say. The talent, the desire and the experience existed in the roster for this team to go far. Injuries and attacking questions aside, players such as Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard were set to lead the side at least into the quarter-finals and possibly beyond, a la the team's miraculous Confederations Cup run the year before. The fact that Bradley was unable to properly channel and direct the team's potential is a sign that the Americans' viability is growing on the global stage. We're not quite there yet, but give it two more World Cups and the U.S. team won't just be in the knockout round by the (well earned) skin of their teeth. They'll be regularly fighting for the top position in their group and a force to be reckoned with.
Now if we could only get a coach that had the ability to adapt before a game starts.
Oh well, back to Major League Soccer and my good ole Columbus Crew.
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