Did US Success at 2009 Confederations Cup Show Bob Bradley's Weaknesses?

(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.

After the 3-0 massacre to the Brazilians, Bradley's hand was forced to find another forward while Donovan dropped to midfield. Only two options: Connor Casey, a poor man's Jozy Altidore(not saying much) who was awful against Honduras a week prior to the competition, or Charlie Davies, who could add pace to the counter attack and a different style from Altidore. Duh.

With just those forced changes, and a game plan that had to do more with heart and luck(Brazil's trashing of Italy) rather than tactics, the U.S. managed their way to the semi-finals.

Add a another 'blatantly terrible performance' from Jonathan Borstein(more so in the Italy and Brazil games), and Bocanegra was slotted in a left upon his return, adding a little more stability to the defence.

So there it was, through all of that, a very different looking team lined up against the likes of Spain and Brazil, world powers, and gave them a run for their money. The defeated Spain, ending their 35 game unbeaten streak, and unfortunatley collasped to Brazil after leading 2-0.

The squad against Spain/Brazil:

                                       Davies  Altidore

                   Donovan    Clark   Bradley/Feilhaber    Dempsey

                    Bocanegra   Onyewu     DeMerit      Spector

                                             Howard

Had all the problems mentioned not happened this is what things would've looked like. This side would not have worked as well together at all.

                                       Donovan  Altidore/Ching(If healthy, BB would've tried)

                       Beasley    Clark      Bradley        Dempsey

                  Bornstein Bocanegra Onyewu  Hejduk/Cherundolo

                                             Howard

It wasn't mastermind shuffling that found a great setup of players, it was luck and common sense.

Apart from that, the Yanks' tactical approach, even in victory, under Bradley was far too simple and desperate at times. This could be seen with the U.S. launching the ball forward in attack, rather tahn patiently probe defenses, during virtually every game. Or look at the willingness to give up the wing play to teams with forward players like Alberto Reira, Fernando Torres, Robinho, and Kaka. It invites pressure. They barely dealt with it against Spain, but they weren't so lucky against Brazil.

And surely Bradley must take some of the blame for the multiple counts of his team's disappearance after going into the half. This could be seen against Italy, the final against Brazil, and yes, even the win versus Spain. The second halves were dominated by the opposition when the U.S. appeared to be in full control from the opening whistle.

It's all of these little things which people must focus their attention to when evaluating Bradley. We can't let the results, finally against big teams, sugarcoat the problems that remain. Are we willing to settle for looking good on paper, under the comfortable winning record of Bradley? Or do we want the USMNT to truly show their worth head-to-head against the very best in South Africa next year. I choose the latter, and if that is to be the case, improvements (To be fair, both from Bradley and the players) still need to be made.

I am a United States fan and come World Cup time, I will be cheering for them wholeheartedly. Whether I like it or not, because I am nobody, Bob Bradley will be there to coach this team. And with all that I've said here, I truly hope that he proves me wrong.

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