(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
As we all know, the second place performance of the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup shocked the soccer community and proved that the USA was possibly a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Big wins over a well-performing Egypt side and also then number one ranked Spain, paired with a courageous second outing against winners Brazil was a sign to doubters that the Yanks could compete with anyone. Unfortunately for U.S. coach Bob Bradley, the effort shows even more that he isn't the man to lead the team to the top on 'THE' stage, that is, the FIFA World Cup.
Normally in the sports world, general success is a sign that a coach is doing all the right things. Phil Jackson with the Bulls and Lakers, Bill Belichick with his Patriots, Joe Torre/George Steinbrenner's wallet and the Yankees. Even those feeling the warmth of their hot seats can have their jobs and reputations saved with the occasional big performance, just ask Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson about his crucial win against Nottingham Forrest in 1990s FA Cup.
The Curious Case of Bob Bradley however, is different. Everything about the USA's second place finish against some of the best teams in the world says that we should turn up the heat, and wonder if he should even be given credit.
Look at the squad that started against Brazil. It could easily be argued that if not through a combination of injuries, red cards, fatigue and blatantly terrible performances, we could have seen an entirely different team rather than the one that started out so well against the Selecao.
To start things off, there's the Oguchi Onyewu/ Jay DeMerit defensive partnership in the center which wasn't perfect but was certainly effective through the tournament (Yes, despite the vast number of goals that were conceded).
If not for the injury to captain Carlos Bocanegra, it's obvious we would've never seen the pair together. Onyewu paired with 'Blackmouth' has given quick goals to CONCACAF opposition such as Honduras and Costa Rica. Surely the combo would've fared worse against much better sides.
Also Jonathan Spector may have not made an appearance (or the squad for that matter) if not for knocks to Steve Cherundolo and Frankie Hejduk prior to the Cup. While he was somewhat suspect defensively, he was a godsend in terms of working down the right and swinging pinpoint crosses into the box.
Now take Landon Donovan being such a force in the outside midfield, specifically on the left. Had it not been for the Ricardo Clark red card in the Italy match, and Sacha Kljestan doing his best imitation against Brazil, Donovan would have been starting up top with Jozy Altidore through the tourney.
There he'd be, hopelessly waiting for service rather than having the ball and forcing the issue on the defences of Eygpt, Spain, and Brazil as he did. The red cards made him a midfielder. Well, those and the 45 minute cameo from DaMarcus Beasley. One of those aforementioned 'blatantly terrible performances' belonged to DMB with his outing against Brazil. As Bradley stubbornly wanted Donovan to be a forward, he hoped against hoped that Beasely could turn things around for himself and shine on the left...wrong.
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