U.S. Soccer: Tough Love for Bob Bradley

If one thing is certain about the current state of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team ahead of the World Cup, it’s that manager Bob Bradley isn’t the most valued coach in the country.

In fact, Bradley is probably one of the most detested figures in soccer by some U.S. fans and critics.

The countless rants and tirades against Bradley on the Internet, TV, and in the newspaper have done something more though. They’ve made Bob Bradley un-American.

All the bashing and critiquing of every little mistake the boss has made has turned him into a symbol for all that is wrong in American soccer, and even the country.  

U.S. soccer fans should take a step back and remember that Bradley is an American man, trying to do an extraordinarily difficult job.

First, barring some sort of catastrophic event, Bob Bradley is going to be the U.S. team's leader going to South Africa in 2010, whether fans like it or not. He will be there, calling the shots, making the subs, and handling the three (hopefully more) most important games of these young American athletes' lives.  The US Soccer Federation is behind him, and the players are ready to be led by him.

USMNT fans have kicked and screamed to have him stripped of his duties, but he has stood by his post undaunted. Most everyone should be able to relate to a man, an American, who is working for the U.S., not against the U.S.

Bradley is an all-American dad, with three kids and a wife, hailing from New Jersey. He has paid his dues in search of his American dream, and has ascended to the top coaching position in the United States. Bradley’s story is an encouraging one: Put in the hard work and receive the rewards, much like the U.S. team hopes to do this coming summer.

The criticism of Bradley is widespread. It’s all been said: He's tactically inept, unable to motivate, and as pale and quiet as a ghost on the sideline. Sure, tactically the U.S. has looked out of sorts, but what about the Spain contest? How exciting was the way the U.S. tucked in behind and defended as a unit, then countered with awesome speed and athleticism?

Sure, the team has looked unmotivated and dead beat at times (Gold Cup Final), but what about the Egypt game? When all seemed lost in the Confederations Cup, Bradley was able to spark life back into a stagnant squad. He found Charlie Davies, he’s given the chances to younger players such as Stu Holden, and most of all he’s qualified the U.S. for the World Cup.

He has made his fair share of mistakes, but who hasn’t?  Focus on the positives of Bradley’s career behind the wheel, not the setbacks.  

When the U.S. marches out onto the field next summer in South Africa, the Americans need to believe they can win, they need to believe they can compete with the world’s best. The fans will be watching by the millions back at home, and the players need to know that they, too, believe.

And Bob Bradley needs to believe. He needs to believe he has picked the right squad, pieced together the correct puzzle to challenge the world’s best.  He needs to know that win or lose, he has the backing of the United States. The importance of knowing that his choices will not be questioned by fans and the Federation alike cannot be understated.

Last World Cup when the USA was drawn into the group of death, no one thought it possible to advance. Fans and critics bashed FIFA, and wondered how the Nats were not a seeded team.

The belief in America's capacity to win was not there, and it showed from the get-go on the field. Down 2-0 almost instantly to the mighty Czech Republic in the first match, there was no hope, no energy, and no fight. It was over before it started.

If the U.S. comes out with this sort of attitude next summer the same results are inevitable. The going will likely be tough, as the team is, again, unlikely to be seeded. That fact in itself should be motivation for the players, and all the more reason to get behind Coach Bradley.

Entering the World Cup next summer the U.S. Men’s National Team will be the underdog. American fans will be rooting for a group of less skilled and less experienced players than most of those on the world stage.

Bob Bradley is the leader of the group, and he too is likely to be less accomplished and less experienced than other coaches at World Cup level. Bob Bradley is an underdog, an American, a human. He needs the support, the confidence, and the backing of our country to do his job to the best of his ability.

U.S. fans and critics should put down their arms, and accept Bob Bradley as one of their own. He and the team need that approval and backing now, and they’ll need it more than ever in South Africa.