Where Bob Bradley Should Focus His Energies Before South Africa 2010

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There's one line that's inevitably repeated when one of my closest USMNT friends and I get together to discuss the current condition of the U.S. team.  Over time it has evolved, but it started out as something like this:

"He's our coach."

then morphed into:

"He's our coach, and he's part of the system.  He's not going anywhere even if he practices nepotism."

was altered once again,

"There's no possible way they're firing this guy before the World Cup."

And finally it has become:

"He's already picked his team.  There's nothing that can be done."

Most sports fans can recognize each response as some attempt to ground a fellow fanatic as he attempts to scrounge up some completely irrational hope for the future of his or her team. My friend tried his best, and to be honest, after the Charlie Davies' injury, I was one step from entering a psychiatrist's office and lying about my childhood in order to receive a heavy dose of anti-depressants to get me through SA 2010. 

As a USMNT supporter, I live on a very fragile precipice.  I realize that the team's depth chart is slim.  If Donovan, Dempsey, Howard, or even Altidore at this point goes down injured, there's no replacement.  I also know that the lack of scoring during run of play is a quiet crisis.

Once my World Cup expectations had lowered from quarter final dreams to hopes of a good group draw with a second round, second place advancement if lucky, I started perusing other qualifiers searching for an acceptable team to adopt for the summer.  Without any luck, completely desperate, I started watching every game I could find on television trying to find one player, and from there, one team to support. 

That's when I found myself watching the Liverpool/Manchester United match.  Two infamous managers facing off.  Both dealing with managerial challenges that affected their tactics, first team choices, and substitutions.

When the game ended with an impressive win for Liverpool that raised more questions than answers: What does it mean that Liverpool can beat elite opponents without Gerard?  Is Cristiano Ronaldo so good that he single handily saved Manchester United?

I realized that while injuries, current form, and coaching have more than likely limited the U.S. team's possibilities this summer, the team could still impress with some slight alterations.

Here are the factors that underlay my alterations:

1.  To the best of my ability, I based recommendations on decisions that Bob Bradley might make.

For example, it's not likely that Bradley would bench his son, or that he's going to start letting Tim Howard take corner kicks, that Charlie Davies will return from injury in time for the World Cup, or that Eddie Johnson becomes a premier striker.  Basically, I tried to avoid wishful thinking or alternate realities.

2.  The 23-man roster has already been selected give or take one or two fringe players. 

The aforementioned injuries, current form and opportunities have answered many of the questions surrounding most of the true possibilities for a roster spot.  There are few controversial or tough decisions left.  Personally, I feel most of the pretenders have been culled from the lineup, and the possible contributors have stepped up when called upon.  That may be good for this world cup, but it does not bode well that the player pool is not rife with competition and worry that a major contributor might be forced off the roster.

The Bradley Checklist Before Leaving for South Africa

Find a Defensive Midfielder.

This problem has been present for far too long.  It should have been a number one priority for over a year.  There is not a single competitive team without a defensive midfielder, and the U.S. will be headed for a quick exit if one is not found before the summer.

Unfortunately, there is not a solid defensive midfielder on the current roster.  Michael Bradley has little sense of positioning, defensive anticipation, and man marking ability.  Ricardo Clark is inconsistent, disappearing for large stretches of games, and makes poor defensive decisions. Francisco Torres is not the answer. He may be able to distribute, is more skilled and calmer than any other player, but the first time an adult male goes in on a challenge with him and he'll be on the sidelines nursing an injury. 

The good news is that there are other options still available. Jermaine Jones has been approved to play for the United States, and Maurice Edu has returned from injury. Both should appear in the upcoming friendlies until their current form and value can be properly evaluated.

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