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Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:42 am EDT

In USA's redemption song, Bob Bradley can sing the loudest

By Martin Rogers

Bob Bradley

Associated Press

Finally a tale of good fortune for a United States team that so often returns home bemoaning its bad luck.

Somehow on Sunday night, a cluster of stars all aligned for Bob Bradley's team, as every improbable permutation needed for it to remain in the Confederations Cup slotted neatly into place during a 3-0 win over Egypt.

On countless occasions, the postscript for the USA has been a sob story. The under-23 squad felt it at the Beijing Olympics, when its inability to hold on for a few extra seconds against Holland cost it a trip to the knockout stage. World Cup campaigns also have been littered with misfortune, excuses and mishaps that prevented the U.S. from deeper progress.

Bradley could not have wished for a better time for fate to smile upon him. Bracing for a barrage of doubt and conjecture surrounding his future when he returned home, the head coach now can view this tuneup for South Africa 2010 as something of a success.

No one is pretending that the Confederations Cup is an event which resonates strongly through the soccer world. But it is far better to still be around and get a crack at a semifinal than an early exit, which looked all-but-guaranteed for the Americans heading into the weekend.

One win doesn't erase the memories of a series of sub-par performances that began in the last round of World Cup qualifiers. However, one of the biggest criticisms of Bradley was that he seemed unable to lift his players when the occasion demanded it.

Well, he sure did this time.

Gone were the nervousness and inferiority complex of the matches against Brazil and Italy. Suddenly, the USA had gained some courage, organization and spirit.

Now we will see once and for all if the Americans' panic only sets in against high-profile teams because no side in the world is better than Spain right now. With another stuttering, timid performance against the European champions on Wednesday, the U.S. will be back to square one.

But somewhere in the Egypt game lay some genuine reason for hope. There was a sense that this U.S. team might just possess a bit of gumption, which is one of the most vital commodities come World Cup time. Sure, this is not a side that is ready to start beating the world's best, but nor, perhaps, it is languishing in a backbone-free zone.

Italy and Egypt may wonder how they are the ones preparing to go through airport customs while the USA looks ahead to a final-four clash with the magnificent Spaniards. The Italians will be shell-shocked at losing two straight games, one an enormous upset against Egypt and the other a comprehensive shellacking by Brazil. The Egyptians, so entertaining throughout, fluffed their lines when it mattered and were virtually unrecognizable against the U.S. from the side that looked so lively and inspired in its first two games.

Do the Americans deserve their place in the semifinals? Based on their overall body of work at the Confederations Cup, probably not. Yet the character that was on display Sunday night -- a fierce determination to prove they were not as bad as everyone thought -- shone out of every player.

On this night, Bob Bradley got things right, very right. That, combined with a healthy dose of luck, means he is off the hook for now.

Share your thoughts and comments below.

Is Bob Bradley the right coach to lead the U.S. into the 2010 World Cup?

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124 Comments

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  1. Shawn G
    1. Posted by Shawn G Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:07 am EDT

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    Well said. It's easy to say, "This wasn't Egypt's best side." But the US hasn't had its best side either. And both teams played the two best teams in the group first. There's no excuse Egypt can give that explains being run off the pitch comprehensively or failing to defend a two goal lead in the final match of a group stage.
    I've never, ever, thought Bradley was "the right coach." I still don't think he is. I don't even think he made the right subs in this match. They were his typical by the numbers subs with no regards to the match situation. But I'll be honest too and say I don't see who they could find that's a better tactician to take the job.
    So what I'd like to see is them bring in a European Assistant to handle tactics and bring that end up to speed. Given the current situation, its the best that they can hope for. In any case, USSF isn't going to make a change at top until after the WC unless the qualification campaign starts to fall apart.
    But none of that should take away from this performance. The bottom line is, when the chips are down, these players play for Bob Bradley. We may want them to start before the final hand. But there's something to be said for playing for you coach. And maybe a match like this could build some consistency. I don't think a loss to Spain sends the US "back to square one." A well-played loss is not the end of the world when you play the world's best team. But a gutless performance like Brazil does indicate a timidity issue. Personally, I don't think they'll come out flat on Wed. I think, for now at least, that corner is turned. The better question is, will they be ready in 10?
  2. The Guru
    2. Posted by The Guru Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:14 am EDT

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    Now for my comment:
    As much-maligned as the U.S. team has been (and I've been very crticial):
    SCOREBOARD!!!!!
    That's really all that matters...and, memo to the US - that's all the World will respect...beat team, get results, and all of a sudden you will become a true soccer nation.
  3. The Guru
    3. Posted by The Guru Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:21 am EDT

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    The downside of the U.S. winning is that it will enable the glaring weaknesses to continue unaddressed and even perpetuate (remember, had Brazil not wanted to really stick it to Italy, the U.S. result wouldn't have mattered):
    1) A coaching change needs to happen - SOON
    2) There is no true leadership on this team, and the U.S. doesn't not have any world class attacking mid-fielders or attackers
    3) If Oneywu and Howard don't play their a$$es off every match, the U.S. is in very vulnerable
    But for now, kudos USA, you did your part and won 3-0 and put the team in a position to benefit from good luck; that's what happens to teams that get results.
  4. Rick
    4. Posted by Rick Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:25 am EDT

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    I am very proud of the greatness our team showed on the field and although I'm beyond happy that we are going to the next phase... I just wish we had the right leadership in a world class coach that doesn't need a miracle and the help from a country's own goal to get us there. Bob Bradly MUST GO! We have the talent and truth be told, lady luck will not always smile on us. I hope that the USSF has the courange to make the needed change to take us into WC and deep into the tournament.
    BOB BRADLEY MUST BE FIRED!!!!!!!! (and although M. Bradley is a good player, if he doesn't want to play without daddy, he can go too).
  5. quid pro quo
    5. Posted by quid pro quo Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:32 am EDT

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    What a strange game, especially after Egypt played so well against Brazil and Italy ... but they failed to shut down Donovan so the US was off to the races (unlike Brazil and Italy who blanketed Donovan the entire game)
    But I'm still not impressed with Bradley or this team ... it will be interesting to see if they show up against Spain, and manage not to give up another early goal ... the midfield and the back line have been shaky at best (I do like how Specter, Onyewe, and Bornstein have played, but they have to be better)
  6. Kenv
    6. Posted by Kenv Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:35 am EDT

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    Let's see what happens against a quality opponent like Spain, before you start celebrating. I don't believe he is the coach to get us to the next level to much like previous coach, team plays unimaginative football and I believe that is a direct reflection of the coach.
  7. Ariel
    7. Posted by Ariel Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:38 am EDT

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    I saw the last three games of Spain, and you know what? The US can beat them if they play like they played today. I do not think they (Spain) are that great, they are very well organized because this team have been playing together for a while, but they did not convince me, player by player on paper, Argentina have better players, and Argentina has been having it's difficulties on the qualifiers. I have this weird sensation the USA may win this game against Spain, and sure they will lose to Brasil in the final.
  8. Samuel G
    8. Posted by Samuel G Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:38 am EDT

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    @#3 "If Oneywu and Howard don't play their a$$es off every match, the U.S. is in very vulnerable"
    Except one of those two wasn't even on the pitch...
    In any event, the writer asks if USA deserve to be in the semifinals, and the answer is unequivocally yes. Ideally, the semifinals are comprised of the 4 strongest teams in the tournament, which had to be ESP, BRA, ITA and USA. It just so happens that three of those teams were drawn into the same group, but had the groups been drawn more fairly (switching USA for NZL), there's no question USA would have advanced.
    As far as the actual group USA were in - that's less clear. But the fact is that ITA and USA both got drubbed by BRA, and had it not been for the red card, the ITA-USA game would have been much more competitive - 3:1 was a very harsh scoreline. For whatever reason, ITA and USA match up very well (see the World Cup 06 game). EGY certainly don't deserve to go through - all they had to do was win. And by the half, they knew all they had to do was keep USA from scoring 2 more goals. They had qualification in their grasp and couldn't hold on.
    So did USA back into it? Yeah... but it took royal screw-ups from the other sides to let USA back into it. At least USA performed creditably against ITA and then drubbed EGY. EGY stole a shock win against ITA and got drubbed by USA. ITA beat USA and then fell apart completely against EGY and then BRA. So yeah, it's fair to say that USA won 2nd cleanly. They destroyed one team standing in their way, and the other team just fell apart. It's soccer, it's a funny game.
  9. ganga t
    9. Posted by ganga t Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:38 am EDT

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    this was deserved win of course.But the Semifinal Birth was gifted to them. If they wanna make a point they have to reach final or give a solid semifinal.
  10. Curtis
    10. Posted by Curtis Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:47 am EDT

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    Klinsmann is the right man for the job do your homework and you'll see that he wanted to coach the USMNT and the Youth team but Gulati said no because he's a dick and he want's things done his way and I'm sorry but Gulati's way is not going to win the USA a world cup.
  11. quid pro quo
    11. Posted by quid pro quo Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:48 am EDT

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    Brazil is a very talented team ... fo~sho ... and I love watching how they play, the anticipation, and the one touch passing ... not to mention the first touch that guys like Robinho and Fabiano have (and they may not be the best individual players on that side)
    But I didn't much appreciate Robinho treating the US like babies, or the cocky way the Brazilians treat other teams ... they're good but F-em o0 :))
  12. Ziegan Z
    12. Posted by Ziegan Z Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:02 am EDT

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    This was the first game of the tourney that the US actually played with a full squad. They were actually beating Italy one man down until the tremendous shot by Rossi. Then the shot by DeRossi, where the 2 defenders were blocking Howards view of the ball. The last goal was just lack of hustle and being tired from playing a man down. I believe that if the US would have had a full squad against Italy and taken their shots instead of passing, then they would have beaten them also. There were 2 shots off the pole by the US. I think they do deserve to move on in the tourney, even though they lucked out to accomplish it. GO USA!!
    I still think that changes need to be made to the team. Getting rid of a few players like Beasley and possibly Casey for lack of skill and lack of hustle. Someone also needs to talk to Dempsy to see what he's upset about. He has good skill, but lacks a good attitude it seems. The whole team finally showed some guts, emotion, and hustle that I didn't see the first two games.
    The refs were also making some crazy calls. Both red cards were ridiculous. Also, the penalties that were called when in the replay you can clearly see that the player wasn't even touched is crazy and something needs to be donw about it. They need to get a lot more strict on the diving and throw some more yellow cards for it.
  13. lindsay.austin@...
    13. Posted by lindsay.austin@... Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:11 am EDT

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    I thought Guzan played very well and I would like to see him get a shot at Spain. I liked what I saw from the back four against Egypt and Spector might push out Cherunulo. I thought Dempsey played lazy but did push up and got the needed goal. I thought Altidore was horrible and looked pretty tired most of the game. I thought Donovan looked really good. He had a lot of pace but should have finished some of those runs himself. Ricardo Clark looked better than Klestan. My biggest concern against Spain is finishing. They will get one to two chances and that will be it. This could easily be a one goal game either way.
  14. adl
    14. Posted by adl Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:19 am EDT

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    Congrats to the USA for a well deserved victory and semifinal berth. Bob Bradley deserves credit here. It would have been easy for the team to pack it in after the first two games and "get ready for the Gold Cup and the rest of qualifying" as the announcers kept saying. And it would have been easy for the team to settle with the 1-0 result but the US kept attacking and they believed and they played like a world class team today. yes, they have weaknesses, but so do other world cup teams, with the exception of the select few (Brazil, Argentina, Spain, etc). I am sick of people saying Bradley needs to go; lets give him a chance before you switch coaches right before a World Cup. I would much rather have an AMERICAN coaching the USA than a German reject. Michael Bradley is outstanding with or without his father as coach and I think finally the USA is starting to find some lineups that work well together. That takes time and we still have a full year before the World Cup. And most World Cup groups do not have both Italy and Brazil in the same group---That group would be labeled the Group of Death and guess what, the USA advanced through that group. The Italy game was close and the USA caught some bad breaks and yes the Brazil game was ugly, but look what they did to Italy today. Egypt is a good team and all they had to do was keep the game close and they could not. Cheers to the USA and sorry all you haters, Bob Bradley is the MAN.
  15. Curtis
    15. Posted by Curtis Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:38 am EDT

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    Oh and the reason why we were able to beat Egypt in the first place was because they had run out of gas by there 3rd match in group play. I mean come on Egypt was running on fumes by the time they got to play the USA in there final match of group play. And about Bob's kiss ass son M. Bradley that comment will only lose you fans not gain them if you haven't lost them already by now. Bob Bradley didn't prove anything with this victory and he didn't silence his cridicts, one thing is clear and that is Bob Bradley needs to go period, If Egypt wasn't so tired from playing Brasil and Italy they would've killed us end of story. B. Bradley still didn't play Freddy Adu nor did he play Jose Torres, I'm sick of this S.O.B he needs to go, he has no passion or balls and if he thinks that we are going to beat Spain he's dreaming, He's smoking and Drinking. I go by the facts and this game proved nothing, I'm a die hard USA fan but I never wanted Bradley as the Coach of the USMNT. I wanted, I'm sorry WE wanted Klensmann a proven and worthy Coach and who does Gulati hire? You guessed it B. Bradley, no exp., no passion, no class period. My prediction for the match against Spain: Spain 8 USA 0. Why? Well because if you watched how Spain plays then you would know that Spain loves to overwhelm there opponents with goals in the first half and coast in the second. Game over Bradley you lose
  16. quid pro quo
    16. Posted by quid pro quo Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:42 am EDT

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    I thought Altidore looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, and the Egyptian defenders had trouble with his size and speed ... sure, he dribbled the ball away a few times, but hes a forward ... Donovan made a bad pass in the first half I'm sure he blamed on Jozy, but Landon should be scoring those (hes never been a play maker, more of a finisher) ... I think all Jozy needs is more playing time, with Landon, so they can get on the same page
    http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/photo;_ylt=ArKg1TbVx.viNJiHJWo7PXgUwLYF?slug=92c36e958d9b4eabb9b36b3319d5b909.south_africa_egypt_us_confed_cup_soccer_cfc331&prov=ap#photoViewer=urn%3Anewsml%3Asports.yahoo%2Cgetty%3A20050301%3Asow%2Cphoto%2C40b2355dad943df04eb5f113538e38eb-getty-88153403jd040_egypt_v_usa_f%3A1
  17. quid pro quo
    17. Posted by quid pro quo Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:46 am EDT

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    Oh hey Curtis ... /agree that I would have liked to see Freddy Adu and/or Jose Torres play ... Are we ever gonna see Freddy play? I mean, even in the MLS ... wtf
  18. ChristopherB
    18. Posted by ChristopherB Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:59 am EDT

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    Wow! Who woulda thunk?
    Thank goodness Beasley was not in the starting lineup. I think he can add something as a sub but we need to start others. I've been very critical, too critical maybe of Landon Donovan but today showed that he really needs to be at the attacking center midfield slot where he can run at people.
    Dempsey needs to be upfront. He isn't bad in the midfield but he's not nearly as good there as he is at the forward position.
    And I can only dream about what Altidore is destined for. Man, was that guy a force today.
    Did anyone else notice the settling effect that Feilhaber had?
    How about Onyewu's organization of the defense not to mention his, as always, inspired play?
    Guzan certainly proved himself competent.
    I also noticed that Conor Casey added a hard nosed element late.
    Where was Torres, he hasn't been in enough.
    I look forward to Ching, Altidore and Dempsey sharing time up top.
  19. Carlos T
    19. Posted by Carlos T Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:59 am EDT

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    This was definitely a bittersweet day since this win will most likely keep Bradley around for a while. All the negative press will suddenly change to praise but this team will still have a disastrous world cup. Get Torres and Adu on the field as soon as possible or let's get rid of Bradley just as quickly.
  20. rjk
    20. Posted by rjk Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:05 am EDT

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    Thank you for a miracle now and then. In reality, however, the US team is still in dire straits when it comes to group play at the highest level.
    Reasons:
    1. No leadership qualities at the top who can select quality leadership on the sideline. Suggestion: Klin
    nsmann, or anyone of the available Dutch coaches).
    2. No basic football fundamentals exist on the squad (most glaring example: Demarcus Beasely)
    3. No attacking skills from defenders to midfielders, forwards have no finishing skills
    4. Zero peripheral vision qualities (north/south and east/west)
    5. Cannot put topgether string of passes to advance ball consistently
    6. No skill at clearing ball out of danger zones
    7. Collective communication on field is non-existent
    8. Cannot win games relying to score on set pieces and penalty shots
    9. Lack of focus and drive non-existent (with Hedjuk out, there is none)
    10. Where is the sideline general (game plan, tactical attack, wing attack, speed utilization, switching attacks, defensive attack and retreat coverage, etc. WHERE IS IT????)
    There is, however, one positive: goal keeping!
    Last good US squad was at the South Korea World Cup. Wishing the US good luck in 2010 and hoping for no 2006 repeat and pray the top brass hears me.
  21. willdavis222
    21. Posted by willdavis222 Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:12 am EDT

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    Congrats to the US for making it through to the semis.. I NEVER thought that would happen after the way we played in the first two games and the way Egypt had played? Just goes to show what a bit of hustle and enthusiasm can do.. I do admire the way Landon has been playing.. I certainly think he would only be better if he had European level competition all the time.. I hope he decides to leave MLS after the season.. I know he's talked about it. I'm still not convinced that Bradley is the tactician to get the job done.. The US possesed the ball and controlled the game for the most part.. I do believe if the play as open as they did today against Spain we'll get beat 3-0 or something like that.. Brazil plays more openly than Spain and if you don't put some pressure on them.. play them a bit physical.. they will just pass you to death.. They are so skilled technically. We can't sit back like we did in the Brazil game and let them walk into our 18 and pass the ball around.. The US has to work very hard to shut Fabregas and Xavi down as much as possible.. They run the show.. should be interesting on Wed.
    Congrats for makiing it to the Semis..
  22. DaRaida
    22. Posted by DaRaida Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:23 am EDT

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    Giuseppe Rossi=traitor. Glad to see his "dream" smashed as Italy bowed out.
  23. adl
    23. Posted by adl Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:35 am EDT

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    Curtis, you have no idea what you are talking about. Oh, Egypt was out of gas after playing Brazil and Italy? Who did the USA play their first two games---Brazil and Italy. Nice reasoning you moron, but your excuses for Egypt just dont hold up. Freddy Adu sucks, he sits on the bench and has no business playing in a big tournament like this, excellent move by Bradley not to play him. And the midfield play today justified Bradley's decision not to play Torres. I mean, you people whine about Bradley's lineup when the USA WINS 3-0. That makes a lot of sense.
    And you call yourself a USA fan? Jurgen Klinsmann is a German Reject. There, it needed to be said. And no matter what lineup Bradley goes with, people come on here and try to criticize and say Jurgen or some Dutch coach would do better. Thats idiotic. An American should be the coach of the US national team. You are probably some tree hugger who wishes he lived in Canada and we wish you did too.
    And rjk your reasoning makes no sense either. "cant win games off relying on set pieces." None of the three goals today were off set pieces. What game are you watching?

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