You may have been disappointed much like I was.
For the second consecutive game the United States had a player sent off playing against a major world power in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
To be fair the damage had already been done when Sacha Kleijstan was sent off.
Goals by Felipe Melo (6th), Robinho (19) and Maicon (61) sealed the U.S. fate in a 3-0 loss. The United States wrap up their play on Sunday against Egypt.
The qualities of organization, work ethic and concentration again seemed absent as Jonathan Spector lost Felipe Melo off a free kick in the 6th minute that was headed home.
Then a loss of possession from DaMarcus Beasley off a U.S. corner led to a stunning counter attack that had Robinho scoring for Brazil and then doing an impromptu interview behind the U.S. goal.
Maicon would add a third while the U.S. would hit the crossbar and the post late from Benny Feilhaber and Conor Casey.
Are you worried about the U.S. National team currently and why?
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In a word, yes. Perhaps it’s the absence of Ching – his control, holding abilities, and size would have helped a lot in this match, against CR, and Honduras.
Maybe all the Ching haters will learn to recognize what he brings to the pitch.
Jozy needs to score goals.
Beasley is a hindrance.
Bradley needs to sit down.
I’m more hopeful now for the Gold Cup, when we may get to see some quality youth shake things up a bit. Not excited at the possibility the Dynamo squad will be decimated by call-ups with potential for Holden, Davis, Cameron, Clark. What’s the possibility Danny Cruz gets a nod, or is it more likely he stays put with the u-20s and maybe gets some time in Orange while the others are away?
I continue to see a lack of motivation, and inspiration from the US team. They do not look like they are playing for Bradley. He just can’t seem to get anything out of the players. I still question if there is really an established “stlye of play” that the players buy into, sure doesn’t seem like it. Especially in the offensive 1/3rd. No one likes getting blasted 3-0 but game after game this group looks like they are being forced to go to work, and there is no joy in their play. To me this all screams for a coaching change, someone who has the respect of the players. I may be wrong but it seems that most of the players see Bradley as downgrade from their club coaches and just don’t buy into his system…assuming he has one. But maybe I’m spoiled with Dom, he seems to spot talent that others don’t and can get the best out of his players, and he certainly has a style /system he has been able to get players to buy into. I just don’t see the same chemistry from our National team.
Glenn- U.S. looks lost, nobody willing or capable of directing the team on the field. Best part of first half was when ESPN lost video feed!
Speaking of ESPN, they did a great job of butchering what little I saw of Seattle vs. DC U. game.
When it became clear that the college baseball game was going way over scheduled end time, they could have switched MLS to ESPN instead of ESPN 2 and showed game from the beginning. Instead they showed the all important “Basball Tonight” which consists of taped highlights, and ” Sports Center” with more Brett Farve news.
Then some programming genius decides to show the game in it’s entirety, after showing the goals scored in between inning of baseball game.
Guarantee if it had been an NFL, MLB , or NBA game that they would have switched it and started on sceduled time.
The national team program needs to be shaken up from the top down. Players don’t play with the same kind of fire that competition for their spots would fuel. Bradley doesn’t appear capable of affecting a change in the management of the federation which is only producing the same kind of players they were 20 years ago. Without some shakeup in the youth system, we’ll be left with waiting until 27 year old dual citizens are ruled out of playing for their favored national team…
I feel a lot of the US woes start in the defensive midfield side. Poor marking in the midfield, no pressure on the ball will let your opponent cut you up like paper dolls. I don’t think the US squad strung together more than 4 passes but a few times because the better teams we are playing mark-up and defend well. If you let a team like Brazil carry the ball in like that consider yourself lucky the score wasn’t 6-nil.
Bradley shares a weakness with Bruce Arena: sticking with the players that HE is comfortable with, which may not be the players who can take the team to the next level.
We have talent out there, but the players are too comfortable. Who is Donovan worried about losing his starting role to? Does Boy Bradley worry about any challengers? Does Dempsey? They don’t have to out compete a challenger, they only have to protect themselves from injury. When they don’t perform (which has been too often the case with Dempsey) they need to be benched.
And then there are players that Bradley knows are good MLS players (Kljestan) or historically good players (Beasley) that Bradley continues to throw out on the field. They certainly can contribute moments of competence, but they can’t impose their will on the game or provide consistent benefit to the team.
There is a whole host of talent out there that Bradley ignores or only tinkers with (such as C Davies or J.F. Torres). These players can bring new dimensions to our style of play. Are they World Cup caliber? Nope. But neither are the stalwarts that serve as Bradley’s crutch. Having played for Chivas USA should not be a criterion for a cap.
Glenn,
This was a complete disaster of a performance. The US came out completely flat, and that is something that cannot be done against a team with the caliber of players that Brazil has. The first half was some of the worst soccer I have ever seen our national team play. There was no heart, there was no urgency, and there was definitely no leadership. Players like Beasley, Kljestan, Dempsey and Michael Bradley were absolutely horrible. The formation did nothing to help Altidore up top, and we played bunker ball. All of that comes down on the coach and Bob Bradley needs to be held accountable for this mess today.
Dempsey showed that he is an arrogant player. His passes were either hit too hard or too soft. He dribbled way too much, and he showed about as much desire in playing as I show in going to the freaking opera!
Kljestan was absolutely clueless in his defending and man marking. Say what you will about Rico’s sending off, but at least Clark has some freaking field sense, and that is something that Sasha has nothing of. His tackle was shocking and deserving of a red card. Combine that with Rico’s red card and it is clear that this team lacks discipline.
Some please tell Michael Bradley that it is ok to go in for a tackle. I would have questioned his manhood, since all he did was stare at the backsides of Robinho, Kaka and the rest of the Brazilians as they ran past him. Just because your daddy is the coach doesn’t mean you have a free spot on this team. He was horrible.
That leads me to the biggest waste of space in the history of US Soccer, Demarcus Beasley. This guy can’t get time for Rangers because he is utter crap. We bring him in and he shows that he has no touch against Costa Rica, and we bring him out against a team that is faster and applies more pressure than the Ticos? He has no confidence, no touch and no desire. For Bob Bradley to continue to put him on the field begs me to question Bradley’s ability to manage a side. To quote Hope Solo, “You can’t live in the past!” Bob!
In all, we were outclassesd by a superior side and a superior coach. The US took major steps back today and it comes down to leadership. Bob Bradley has shown that he is not th eman to lead this team based on recent results, and we are heading into a World Cup year. Sunil Gulati needs to step up and make a change and make it now. Is there a way we can smuggle Bora Milutinovic on the flight back to the states and let him run the team? Can we outpay the Russians for the services of Guus Hiddink? Can we bring in a manager like Jose Mourinho that has some tactical sense. Something needs to be done beacuse our team looked lethargic, lazy and uninterested in front of an international crowd today! Thank Bob, I like being made a fool of for supporting the National team today at school!
Matches like today show everyone that we are not serious about the game, because if we were any other competitive team in the world, we would have sacked our coach and sent some of those players home today. It was total rubbish out there on all accounts.
Coach H
PS. I give a thumbs up to Robinho for the interview after his goal. With the way we played today, he could have just sat there and provided color commentary for the rest of the match, and he probably would have been better than Kyle Martino!
Kljestan is not a good MLS player this year. Yet he inexplicably gets a start for the USMNT? Beasley hasn’t played much, and then poorly, in years. Dempsey won’t play for Bradley. We need a come to Jesus moment. Hopefully this is it.
Didn’t see the match. But it must have been pretty bad. If everyone is for firing the coach. I’ll watch Sunday’s match. If it is a bad as today’s apparently was, then firing becomes possible.
But, heading into a World Cup year, if USSF fire Bradley, USSF should have someone ready to takeover right away. An interim guy can manage this team through the Gold Cup (starts in a couple of weeks) but we would need more certainty a few weeks before the Mexico match on August 12th.
If Klinsmann proves to be too expensive again, who else does anyone wish to get? (remember that Guus Hiddink and Bora Mulitinovic are currently employed). Let’s start with the names.
I should probably start with my own name:
Juande Ramos???
Anyone? Anyone with any thoughts about him?
Okay, maybe not Juande.
I’m sure that somebody will suggest Dom. If so, is John Spencer ready to coach the Dynamo? We always wanted to keep Spence. Could it play out this way?
As much as I think Dad Bradley is part of the problem, firing him won’t solve much at this point in WCQ. He certainly has his faults, but he understands the US soccer culture. I just wish he would push his player selection outside his own comfort zone.
Klinnsman certainly has stumbled at the club level recently. Does that call into question how he’d do with the USMNT.
Sometimes it’s better to stick with the devil you know.
I thought US Soccer had turned the corner. I just did not realize we were in the U-TURN lane.
I understand we are in the “group of death”, but at least show up. I have been an ardent supporter of Bradley in the past, but am growing frustrated with his starting 11 more and more. I would rather have inexperienced, youthful, exhuberance than old, tired and never got off the plane any day…..frustrating.
Can we not get another coach before more pre-world cup games are lost? Bradley never shows any emotion, good or bad, never cracks a smile. Makes you wonder how good he is at motivating. Of course the players must share the blame of a not-so-good performance. But you cannot fire the whole team, and you can fire the coach. Hey, Dom Kinnear could whip them into shape!!!!
Today, I was embarrassed to be a US supporter. Today (I could throw in the Italy game as well) was the first time in a long time that I saw a US team that was lazy, was jogging most of the time, and had no pride to represent the US.
Conor Casey came in as a second half sub and was jogging the entire time. Sascha K. and Bornstein were two of Bradley’s Chivas USA peeps that he keeps calling and don’t ever seem to produce. Beasley is done by all accounts. Dempsey demonstrated the only thing he learned in the Premiership was how to flop (he still doesn’t have it down pat yet). Little Bradley was intimidated to be playing against Brazil. Altidore needs to go back to New York so he can learn from Juan Pablo Angel how to be a professional forward, cause obviously he isn’t learning riding the pine in Xerez. Hell, he can’t even last the whole 90+ minutes, as was evident in both games.
You could tell that John Harkes and Alexis Lallas, two USMNT greats, were disgusted by what they witnessed today and Monday. I will agree with Harkes, we learned a couple of things on certain players, mainly, who shouldn’t be on the team.
We know Chivas USA shouldn’t worry about players being called up anytime soon. Rico (although I love him to death) has always been a reckless player (see his absences in both our MLS Cups). We know Demarcus Beasley has seen his last days in an American jersey.
One interesting topic this creates is if it is still a good idea for American players to go to smaller European clubs. Dempsey, although his game has improved, doesn’t show it with the Nats. Altidore and Adu can’t get playing time if their lives depended on it.
But the biggest thing is that Bob Bradley needs to go. It’s truer now than it was three years ago. Unfortunately, who’s out there that would want to come for a possible one year stint. Who ever coaches the Nats needs complete cycle to implement a system and acquire the players he/she feels would best fit that system.
The sad thing is that I expected us to lose the first two games and maybe get a tie against Egypt. I did not however think that the Team would look as meek and lacking desire to be out there for the Shirt and each other. We will probably be lucky not to get hammered by a strong Egypt that is playing with passion and commitment. Players tracking back and stepping up to make a challenge instead of appearing to lack concentration and jogging about the field. Starting with the horrific performance in Costa Rica, continued for a good portion of the match against Honduras and now this? Someone better tell Bradley and the players we have not qualified for the WC yet, so stop acting like it and play like you give a damn!
Sorry Glenn, a little pissed off!
Although I wanted a good foreign coach who could bring something new to U.S. Soccer, I was willing to give Bob Bradley the benefit of the doubt. Nonetheless, recent results, along with some shockingly poor play, makes it impossible for me or anyone to defend him. He’s lost the team completely. They’ve stopped playing for him.
I used to have a soccer poster that said, “Am I really that bad or is he really that good?” We are seeing both forces in play right now. I know US fans who have been following this team wanted so bad for this team to come and play with the big boys but we got a reality check in this tournament.
We are not a good team and we do not have a good coach. I think Bob has played it safe by sticking with known commodities who have been in the US pool for a while and look what we get? A complete garbage showing. I think the US would have done better by just putting the Dynamo starting 11 out there. At least they would have fought. That is what was so disappointing.
We have never been the best team but every country hated playing us because they knew we would have at least fought. I would bench every single player who didn’t show any fight starting with Dempsey. If you don’t want to play for your country and at least fight then go home!
We need a cleansing of our national team and it starts from up top. Probably with Gulati but if not him at least Bob Bradley. Bob Bradley was an okay MLS coach. How do we expect him to coach against world class coaching and world class players? We need someone who knows success on the world stage. We also need a coach who can evaluate talent. We need to do this as soon as possible.
Glenn, I know the US has had the most people buying tickets so far for the South Africa World Cup. After this showing this week, I am sure a lot of people will be trying to get rid of their tickets. Very disappointed US fan.
Nothing new to add to the volumes of coach-changing rants except hands off Dom! We’ll get a frustrated MNT team coach and tank the Dynamo’s chance at another cup this year. Imagine if we were NY or SJ fans. We’d be depressed about the USMNT and having an MLS side making a case for a coaching change! At least we have the Dynamo to keep us interested.
horrible. thats the word, and unfortunately it will tagged on ALL the players & staff associated with this regime. I don’t understand what Beasly is still doing on this team, I know he was a side kick to landon in 2002, but time has passed, and as such HIS time has passed too. Dempsy doesn’t seem to be a National team player!
why are we calling up players like JF Torres, Adu, & Davies and then benching them? if we go down, i would like to see some creative play out there for us – at least. Bradley is showing that his time is passing too, US Soccer needs to be progressing and with Bradley there I don’t feel we will. we need someone who can lead our players to the next level.
this obviously nulls our claims to being one of the “best” teams in Concacaf, it just shows that our region is not very good at all, and with Mexico struggling, WHO is going to push us to get better?
i’ve always wondered about Bradley’s team selections, but i started to get really worried about this squad during the match against Cuba. we made them look world class. the guys today looked like they didn’t even deserve or care to be there; and if they were to play the Dynamo, i’d bet the farm on the men in orange.
i’m concerned Bradley won’t change much…maybe he’ll bring Robbie Rodgers or Mastroeni up. (insert massive eye roll here)
oh, and i’d be embarrassed if my son’s recreational U-15 team conceded a goal like the second one today.
Glenn,
I have made a decision. I will manage the National Team. I will make sure we are the best team in the world! I am willing to do it for the good of the country.
Coach H
What’s w/the long ramblings? This was a joke before the teams entered the tunnel. DaMarcus Beasley at left back AGAINST EFFING BRAZIL! Are you kidding me? That decision alone should get Bob Bradley a one way ticket to the gallows!
Italy, no surprise. Brazil, no surprise. Egypt, WILL BE no surprise. When you get our boys out of CONCACAF, we will continue to be exposed as the poor team we are. Limited playmaking talent, weak AND I MEAN WEAK defenders, no legitimate international scoring threat, and ZERO LEADERSHIP just make this the second verse of Arena’s sad song from Germany.
Tthe biggest issue effecting the USMNT is that it is now operating w/one foot in MLS and the other abroad. I don’t care what anyone says, dancing between the two has destroyed the “underdog” magic captured in the past. The 1980 US hockey team was never better than the USSR, but they overachieved because they were a tight unit, unlike the scattered, fragmented souls of today’s US Soccer.
Unfortunately, the mountain is too high and the time to climb is too short. Unless they get a gift of a draw, its group stage and out in 2010.
Wren, you have a good point on the 1980 US Hockey team. That was the perfect storm but these guys were hungry and the fought hard. I would almost rather go with an all MLS squad than European squad. At least they would fight harder. I think a lot of these guys in Europe don’t have the hunger anymore because they think they are better than their MLS counterparts because they are getting paid more. Don’t get me wrong, this would not solve everything. Look who got the 2 red cards? MLS players.
We are in a very tough situation and I would even say seeing the confidence and hunger of this team worries me if we will even qualify for the WC.
The good thing is that Beasley will never see the USMNT pitch again. That was the most embarrassing goal I have ever seen from the USMNT.
I saw very little of the game but the score schocked me. The U.S. does not field a kids team. This is a team of professional soccer players who can run with the best of them. Their level of fitness is second to none. Their level of play and preparation is another matter. There play is tentative, hesitant and at times they look scared and awed of there opponents. They need to play hard nosed tackling and mark there opponents with abandon. I see no attack but constant defense. They seem to be always on there heels. For once play with abandon and come after the other team. Play aggressive and if they get beat, they get beat. At least they were trying not like what they are showing. Some changes need to be made. Beasely needs to sit. A stronger midfield needs to be formed. Attacking football needs to be the mentality of the team. Stronger backline players not afraid to tackle and hound the opponents. I don’t see this with the present team and coaching philosiphy. Not a good sign for next year.
At some point Bradley has to be held accountable for the horrible lineups and personel decisions. Playing counter attack might work against the likes of Mexico and other weak teams, but if you let strong teams like Brazil and others have the ball they’ll make you pay.
The US just needs a new coach not involved in the US soccer system. If we are going to take the next step, this has to be the first thing that happens. We have young talent so challenging them with a new scheme is what needs to happen.
If he loses to Eygpt, the curtain must fall on Bradley. Any coach can get the US to qualify in the CONCACAF region.
Hello Glenn,
This is off-topic but apparently quite a few people thought you and Kyle did an excellent job with the way you called the DC United vs Seattle game on Wednesday.
So much so that we here at MLSR have begun a write-in campaign to see that you get more opportunities to call MLS matches. Just thought we’d let you know.
Interestingly enough Mexico usually lives up to the moment when playing ARgentina and Brazil and I believe it is based on their ability to get more of the ball.
I know this is not funny but being bilingual I can’t help it…
The comments about the USMNT today look just like the comments being made in the mexican soccer blogs when El Tri loses. I mean I could just hit google translate and change coaches and player names and the rest is exactly the same…
Are these two teams suffering from the same “disease”?
Someone pointed out the European based players seem to have no heart, hunger and desire to play and I agree…both US and Mexico have the same problem…
But to be honest I think the US has it easier. If we were to get a world class coach (not you Coach H) to come here and get the ball rolling forward again, our team would go back to normal “progress” in less time than El Tri.
El Tri and mexican futbol have way too many “snakes” and “cancers” inside their federation …
On to the game:
I avoided all internet sport sites and phone calls from friends so that I could get home and watch the game and be excited about it…and I was at first…
But within 5 minutes, I could tell this was going to be all Brazil…even right before the goal, you could see players afraid, hiding from the play, and just not focused.
I thought it would get better after a while but by te 20th minute, I had lost hope…I agree with most of you on Dempsey, and Beasley.
These two guys either have no heart, or they think they’ve achieved everything they could in their career because their effort was that of someone who has no interest in competing.
Altidore just doesn’t develop into that player that we all think he could be…he wastes too much time w/the ball and he’s never looking for the goal, instead he seems to be going away from it at times…
Frustrating…
Bradley has to take most of the blame on this one…I mean come on you’ve got to let your team know that you’re playing BRAZIL!!!! not Panama….
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PS: Please don’t take Dom!!!!
Go back and watch the players line up in the tunnel before the game. We look like deers in the headlights. Way tight. It might have been over then.
Right after the Costa Rica game, then after the Italy game, I made the comment that, basically, this team is sunk if the only way they can score is on PK’s. Was called out after Italy as having watched the game through green/white/red-colored lenses, that I must secretly be a closet Italian. When the implode took place yesterday, I gave glenndavisssoccer.com a rest for fear of being labeled a BackDoorBrazililan.
The guys are sloppy, they have no national pride, they’ve coasted in Concacaf qualifiers to an extent, but the party’s now over. The lion has been shown to have a thorn in it’s paw, and removing it ain’t gonna help. Bradley may go, as should Beasely, but the poison is coursing through this team, and the implosion is coming…. And will rear it’s head on Sunday against Egypt.
Glenn,
The good news is we obviously have a very passionate base of US soccer fans and because of this we are very upset. This post has 29 replies and BigSoccer was having trouble with the volume after the US loss to Brazil… We are so angry and upset because we actually care… which may be a first for US soccer. It’s time we put pressure on the least pressure high profile job in all of soccer… the USMNT head coach….