Why is Bob Bradley still coaching the U.S. Soccer team?

[Frankie]

This team is going backward! :#

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_soccer_concacaf_us

U.S. sunk by Panama in Gold Cup shock

By Simon Evans

TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) – The United States suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Panama on Saturday in the biggest surprise of the CONCACAF Gold Cup so far.

Panama, who reach the quarter-finals with the victory, had been winless against the United States, while the Americans had never lost in a group game at the 12-nation Gold Cup.

But while the result was against the odds, it was fully deserved.

"Panamanians don't need much of an excuse to celebrate but they will certainly be partying back home tonight," coach Julio Dely Valdes told reporters as Latin music blasted out of his team's locker-room.

"We worked very hard for that win and we made history today."

Panama have never qualified for a World Cup finals nor won a Gold Cup but the nation of 3.4 million, once considered mainly a baseball country, has been emerging as a force within Central American soccer and won the region's UNCAF tournament in 2009.

In the Floridian heat, Panama took the lead in the 19th minute when Gabriel Gomez floated a long ball into the box and Luis Tejada scrambled to put a loose ball home after U.S. keeper Tim Howard parried out an Armando Cooper header.

RASH CHALLENGE

The Americans responded positively with Clint Dempsey's header forcing a good save from Jaime Penedo before Clarence Goodson flashed a header just wide from a Landon Donovan free-kick.

But the decisive moment came when defender Tim Ream lost his cool in the 36th minute, making an unnecessarily rash challenge on Blas Perez and Gomez converted the penalty to stun the home crowd of 28,000.

The influential Gomez saw a free-kick flash just over the bar after the break and there were signs that the U.S. were losing their cool with some wild challenges and rushed passing.

But the determined efforts of Michael Bradley and Dempsey in particular started to grind down Panama's midfield and a goal seemed inevitable.

It finally came in the 67th minute when Steve Cherundolo won a rather generously awarded free-kick on the right flank.
Donovan curled in the cross which Bradley met with a firm header and Goodson dived in to nod home.

The crowd sensed a comeback was on the cards and the U.S. piled the pressure on but the chances went begging.

Substitute Chris Wondolowski missed a great chance to equalise, blasting over the bar from three yards out, and then Dempsey headed wide.

Bradley burst into the box but fired his shot off target and Landon Donovan made a mess of his chance near the end, albeit from a tight angle.

"On the night we were not good enough, we were not sharp enough in the areas that matter," said a clearly dejected U.S. coach Bob Bradley.

The U.S. must now win against Guadeloupe in Kansas City on Tuesday to be certain to make the last eight while Panama can enjoy their final group game against Canada, knowing they are already in the quarter-finals.

[Bugeater]

Somewhere, somebody cares.

[4th and Long]

Somewhere, somebody cares.
Somewhere is, obviously, not here.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Cornstock]

Because there are no good American coaches. And Americans are too prideful to have a coach of another nationality coach the national team. Not that they would want to coach team USA anyways.

[Frankie]

Because there are no good American coaches. And Americans are too prideful to have a coach of another nationality coach the national team. Not that they would want to coach team USA anyways.

I know of a German guy who lives in LA.

[Frankie]

Somewhere, somebody cares.

Why do you hate America?

[Silock]

Fuck Bob Bradley.

[SPATCH]

I know of a German guy who lives in LA.

Seriously... how much more of a no-brainer do you need?

Gulati is fucking up

[BWillie]

Who the f*** is Bradley Bob? Er Bob Bradley. Whatever.

[Frankie]

Who the f*** is Bradley Bob? Er Bob Bradley. Whatever.

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/motion/2010/0510/dm_100511_soccer_bobbradley.jpg

[Predarat]

Maybe because Carl Peterson or someone like him is their GM?

[Frankie]

Gulati is ****ing up

Yep, he gave the man an extension to 2014 while it was clear a change of direction was totally necessary.

[RealSNR]

Did you ever think that maybe Panama just has a really good soccer team? Huh? Bet you didn't, racist.

[Frankie]

Did you ever think that maybe Panama just has a really good soccer team? Huh? Bet you didn't, racist.

While they are improving on their soccer with their measly budget we with everything at our disposal are getting worse. :(

[vailpass]

Because absolutely noboby gives a shit, or even knows who these guys are. If the US cared we would soon dominate soccer like we do everything else we put our mind to doing.

[|Zach|]

Because absolutely noboby gives a shit,

Yes, you always take time out to remind us. LMAOLMAO

[vailpass]

Yes, you always take time out to remind us. LMAOLMAO

This is a message board. A question was asked, I gave an answer. Not going out of my at all. Do you disagree with my statement?
Why the double smiley faces? One for each of your chins?

[HerculesRockefell]

You can get away with not firing him when the majority of the population, who only follow the team for 1 month every 4 years, think they had a successful WC. Let's be real, do any of us expect a segment on Sportscenter anytime soon calling Bradley out?

[Spicy McHaggis]

His selection of Wondolowski pays early dividends.

Here's an idea. PLAY DEMPSEY AS A FORWARD FROM THE START OF THE FUCKING GAME! HE SCORED 12 GOALS IN THE EPL THIS YEAR! WE LOOK INFINITELY MORE DANGEROUS WITH HIM UP TOP! FUCK!



(deep breath)

[|Zach|]

This is a message board. A question was asked, I gave an answer. Not going out of my at all. Do you disagree with my statement?
Why the double smiley faces? One for each of your chins?

You have to to double it up when it is 2x as funny watching someone try so hard as you do going out of your way to dislike soccer threads.

Typing nobody gives a shit 1000x means you give a shit.

LMAOLMAO

[Jerm]

He still has a job because Sunil Gulati is a fucking idiot and BB is the lackey of the USSF...plain and simple.

We had Klinsmann in the bag after the World Cup but Gulati would not relinquish full control of the USSF program over to JK and that was that.

JK wanted a overhaul of the program from the youth levels all the way up to the NT...and for some reason the fucking morons within the USSF saw that as a bad idea.

Gulati is a cancer...both he and BB need to go.

[Frankie]

He still has a job because Sunil Gulati is a ****ing idiot and BB is the lackey of the USSF...plain and simple.

We had Klinsmann in the bag after the World Cup but Gulati would not relinquish full control of the USSF program over to JK and that was that.

JK wanted a overhaul of the program from the youth levels all the way up to the NT...and for some reason the ****ing morons within the USSF saw that as a bad idea.

Gulati is a cancer...both he and BB need to go.

Exactly. Good post.

[CrazyPhuD]

While they are improving on their soccer with their measly budget we with everything at our disposal are getting worse. :(

Well for the vast majority of nations in the world soccer gets their best athletes. In the US the quality of soccer athletes might actually be below the PGA. They are at BEST no 5 on the athlete's pecking order. Soccer makes no money in the US, no quality athlete is going to be a soccer player here. The fact that we are even moderately competitive with the talent deficit is nothing short of a miracle.

[|Zach|]

Well for the vast majority of nations in the world soccer gets their best athletes. In the US the quality of soccer athletes might actually be below the PGA. They are at BEST no 5 on the athlete's pecking order. Soccer makes no money in the US, no quality athlete is going to be a soccer player here. The fact that we are even moderately competitive with the talent deficit is nothing short of a miracle.

No need for hyperbole.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/motion/2010/0510/dm_100511_soccer_bobbradley.jpg

http://images.wikia.com/terminator/images/1/19/Terminator_robot.jpg

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

nbc_sportsNBC Sports

b
U.S. soccer fires men's coach Bob Bradley after 4 1/2 years leading team http://bit.ly/qYOBbG

[Reaper16]

feelsgoodman

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

feelsgoodman

Nah he died.

[SPATCH]

holyshitnowayfuckyes

[Rausch]

FIRED....

[loochy]

http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Bradleys-Tenure-Ends.aspx

CHICAGO (July 28, 2011) — U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced today that Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.

“We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years,” said Gulati. “During his time as the head coach of our Men’s National Team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now was the right time for us to make a change. It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

This announcement comes after a meeting at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., between Gulati, Bradley and U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn.

Bradley was named the head coach of the U.S. MNT in January of 2007 and during his five-year tenure compiled a 43-25-12 record. He led the team to a number of accomplishments, including winning the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, finishing second in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, winning their World Cup qualifying group and advancing to the Round of 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

U.S. Soccer will have a further announcement on Friday.

Well, it looks like we will see who the replacement is on Friday.

[loochy]

Rumors about Marcelo Lippi - awesome!

also, of course there is speculation over Klinsmann

[SPATCH]

Although I was against his hiring to begin with, and have been calling for a coaching change for a while... would like to say thanks to Bob Bradley for his time. Things weren't always great, but I'll have some pretty good memories from his tenure.

Rumors all over twitter that Marcelo Lippi could take over. How ****ing cool would that be?

[loochy]

Although I was against his hiring to begin with, and have been calling for a coaching change for a while... would like to say thanks to Bob Bradley for his time. Things weren't always great, but I'll have some pretty good memories from his tenure.

Rumors all over twitter that Marcelo Lippi could take over. How ****ing cool would that be?

That would be the coolest thing ever - until we still don't do as well as we think we should because our players aren't good enough.

[Predarat]

His replacement should be Pat McBride or Dave Clements.

[the Talking Can]

nbc_sportsNBC Sports

b
U.S. soccer fires men's coach Bob Bradley after 4 1/2 years leading team http://bit.ly/qYOBbG

holy moly.....sweet

[Frankie]

nbc_sportsNBC Sports

b
U.S. soccer fires men's coach Bob Bradley after 4 1/2 years leading team http://bit.ly/qYOBbG

COOL!! Mr. Klinsmann, answer your phone.

[Ultra Peanut]

What a surprisingly awesome day.

I don't think Klinsy is The Answer unless the USSF totally restructures, but at least he's a new coach with a fresh perspective.

[Baby Lee]

Rumors about Marcelo Lippi - awesome!

also, of course there is speculation over Klinsmann

Leave it to the US team to name a knock off of Marcello Lippi as their HC.

[vailpass]

Bill Brasky coaches soccer? He seems to manly for that sort of thing.

[|Zach|]

Interesting time to make this move. I wonder what the timeline is with getting his replacement.

[Ultra Peanut]

Haha, Lippi would be one of the few hires that would raise my expectations ever-so-slightly beyond the standard, "oh hey c'mon guys, let's make it out of the group." I really don't expect one of those hires.

http://i.imgur.com/YnMat.gif

[loochy]

Haha, Lippi would be insane.

http://i.imgur.com/YnMat.gif

That made me lol.

[Ultra Peanut]

Somewhere, somebody cares.You disgust me, America-hater.

jUtSSGLR06E

[Frankie]

Leave it to the US team to name a knock off of Marcello Lippi as their HC.

Lippi's success goes with an * since he coaches a pretty much all-star team in Chelsea.

[The Bad Guy]

Haha, Lippi would be one of the few hires that would raise my expectations ever-so-slightly beyond the standard, "oh hey c'mon guys, let's make it out of the group." I really don't expect one of those hires.

http://i.imgur.com/YnMat.gif

I hope it's him or Klinsmann. They need to overhaul the entire operation and Klinsmann is the guy to at least do that.

There's a lot of people in this country that really love soccer and I think getting a dynamic HC could go along way in pulling in more fans.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Haha, Lippi would be one of the few hires that would raise my expectations ever-so-slightly beyond the standard, "oh hey c'mon guys, let's make it out of the group." I really don't expect one of those hires.

http://i.imgur.com/YnMat.gif

Needs more Conor Casey.

[KCBOSS1]

The US has a soccer team?

[Ultra Peanut]

Crazy fact: The US has like, thousands of soccer teams.

[|Zach|]

The US has a soccer team?

lolololololololololololololololol

[Silock]

Fuck Bob Bradley.

My friends and I are doing shots this weekend in honor of his firing.

Yes to Klinsy. No to Lippi -- His style is too similar to Bradley for my tastes.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Crazy fact: The US has like, thousands of soccer teams.

FACT: Bears eat Beets.


Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

[Crush]

SportsCenter (http://twitter.com/#%21/SportsCenter) SportsCenter



RT @ussoccer (http://twitter.com/ussoccer) Jürgen Klinsmann named head coach of #USMNT (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23USMNT): bit.ly/qOPhLg (http://t.co/LaZm5lr)

[eazyb81]

SportsCenter (http://twitter.com/#%21/SportsCenter) SportsCenter



RT @ussoccer (http://twitter.com/ussoccer) Jürgen Klinsmann named head coach of #USMNT (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23USMNT): bit.ly/qOPhLg (http://t.co/LaZm5lr)

So is this a big deal? Who is this guy?

[Stinger]

So is this a big deal? Who is this guy?

Very good hire IMO .....

They tried to get him on board 5 years ago .... He was the coach of Germany in the last World Cup who made it to the semifinals. Has more of an attacking style of play. Very excited to see what happens.

[Ultra Peanut]

This kind of reminds me of the the Pioli hire, in terms of how long a decent portion of the fan base has pined for Klinsmann.

[Old Dog]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6815761/juergen-klinsmann-hired-coach-us-men-soccer-national-team

Jürgen Klinsmann hired as coach
Former German national team player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann was named coach of the U.S. men's soccer team Friday, a day after Bob Bradley was fired.

"We are excited to have Jürgen as the head coach of our Men's National Team," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a news release. "He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program. Jürgen has had success in many different areas of the game and we look forward to the leadership he will provide on and off the field."

Klinsmann will be introduced at a news conference Monday in New York City.

His first match in charge of the U.S. team will be Aug. 10 against Mexico in Philadelphia.

[the Talking Can]

hopefully he can bring some of the program disciple to the States that he pulled off in Germany...at least give us a style to work with/towards....

[thecoffeeguy]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6815761/juergen-klinsmann-hired-coach-us-men-soccer-national-team

Jürgen Klinsmann hired as coach
Former German national team player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann was named coach of the U.S. men's soccer team Friday, a day after Bob Bradley was fired.

"We are excited to have Jürgen as the head coach of our Men's National Team," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a news release. "He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program. Jürgen has had success in many different areas of the game and we look forward to the leadership he will provide on and off the field."

Klinsmann will be introduced at a news conference Monday in New York City.

His first match in charge of the U.S. team will be Aug. 10 against Mexico in Philadelphia.

OMG! This is AWESOME! I was hoping Klinsmann was going to be hired after the atrocious coaching by Bruce Arena.

This is sweet. He will shape this team and take them to the next level!

[Frankie]

THIS IS BIG! WOW! :thumb:

[SPATCH]

truly boner-inspiring.

[The Bad Guy]

Huge hire. I'll welcome the more attacking style with open arms.

[SPATCH]

This d000000d lol

Seriously, this guy basically rescued the German Bundesliga. The amount of German nationals playing in the bundesliga had been dwindling for a while until Klinsy changed the structure of their federation on the youth levels. Now the amount of germans starring in the bundesliga is back on the rise and they are churning out players like mesut ozil, thomas muller, toni kroos, and mario gotze.

The 2010 German team in South Africa was Klinsy's team... and that team could SCOOOOORE

[Spicy McHaggis]

This kind of reminds me of the the Pioli hire, in terms of how long a decent portion of the fan base has pined for Klinsmann.

I was flipping through my rep and saw that almost 5 years ago to the day you repped me for a Klinsmann related post.

So, yeah. It's been a while.

[Frankie]

I was flipping through my rep and saw that almost 5 years ago to the day you repped me for a Klinsmann related post.

So, yeah. It's been a while.

You can see 5 years ago's rep?!

[Spicy McHaggis]

You can see 5 years ago's rep?!

I can, barely. I guess you better get off your collective asses and start appreciating me more. :)

[ThatRaceCardGuy]

Great hire! After this last Gold Cup I was sick of Bradley...I mean the world cup too...but I really , really wanted to see him go. He was way to conservative in attacking. Hopefully we will see an improved team...if not, I always have my Blues, the pride of England to fall back on !!!lol CFC

[Spicy McHaggis]

I always have my Blues, the pride of England to fall back on !!!lol CFC

You get the **** out of here.






I'm kidding. Mostly. I think AVB was a fantastic hire for Chelsea by the way.

[Predarat]

Hope the new coach uses a 2-1-2-5 formation, but if he does he better have a damn good goalie.

[Groves]

He was way to conservative in attacking.

Train me up.

I get how coaches implement plans and schemes and lineups that end up being highly attacking or less attacking.

During the match, what does the coach actually do, other than lineup changes? Does he call plays? Does their attacking or not attacking come from the sideline?

[Ultra Peanut]

I was flipping through my rep and saw that almost 5 years ago to the day you repped me for a Klinsmann related post.

So, yeah. It's been a while.Hahaha, that's so awesome.

I think the biggest difference in my life between then and now is that I've kind of cooled on the whole "Klinsmann will be amazing!" thing and instead am of the "Klinsy's probably better than Bradley but I doubt he'll be as revolutionary as most expect" school of thought.

And I guess some other stuff, but that's all I can really think of.

[loochy]

Train me up.

I get how coaches implement plans and schemes and lineups that end up being highly attacking or less attacking.

During the match, what does the coach actually do, other than lineup changes? Does he call plays? Does their attacking or not attacking come from the sideline?

No, there are no "plays" (except on set pieces). The coach instructs the players on what kind of attitude to take on the field - for example, he might want two of his center mids to push up harder.

Bob Bradley was a big user of what is called the "empty bucket" formation that utilized 2 deep lying defensive mids right above the center backs. That formation makes it difficult for opposing teams to break through the middle, but it really hinders offensive creativeness because it leaves only 4 players to run on the offensive end.

Klinsmann can recognize new talent, make picks of more offensive minded players, and instill a more offensive or creative philosophy through training sessions and formations.

[loochy]

Hahaha, that's so awesome.

I think the biggest difference in my life between then and now is that I've kind of cooled on the whole "Klinsmann will be amazing!" thing and instead am of the "Klinsy's probably better than Bradley but I doubt he'll be as revolutionary as most expect" school of thought.

And I guess some other stuff, but that's all I can really think of.

Well yeah, there's only so much a coach can do with a fixed talent pool. It's not like this is a club with a large transfer budget. We've got what we've got.

[Ultra Peanut]

yah. Unless by "greater control than any US coach before" they mean "has hiring and firing/restructuring power from the top of the USSF to the bottom," he can't really change much. Institutional failings are the main things holding the federation back.

[2112]

The US is clueless. the team was not prepared for that second round game against the nobody african team in the world cup. the same can be said for the previous 3 games in the world cup. they had to come back because they played like shit to start off all the games. thats a poor reflection on the coach. yet the dumbasses renewed his contract. :spock:

They need a foreign (European or south american) coach with experience.

[|Zach|]

The US is clueless. the team was not prepared for that second round game against the nobody african team in the world cup. the same can be said for the previous 3 games in the world cup. they had to come back because they played like shit to start off all the games. thats a poor reflection on the coach. yet the dumbasses renewed his contract. :spock:

They need a foreign (European or south american) coach with experience.

Keep up will you.

[2112]

Keep up will you.

ok

[2112]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6815761/juergen-klinsmann-hired-coach-us-men-soccer-national-team

Jürgen Klinsmann hired as coach
Former German national team player and coach Jürgen Klinsmann was named coach of the U.S. men's soccer team Friday, a day after Bob Bradley was fired.

"We are excited to have Jürgen as the head coach of our Men's National Team," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a news release. "He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program. Jürgen has had success in many different areas of the game and we look forward to the leadership he will provide on and off the field."

Klinsmann will be introduced at a news conference Monday in New York City.

His first match in charge of the U.S. team will be Aug. 10 against Mexico in Philadelphia.

ROFL

AWESOME

[Ultra Peanut]

The US is clueless. the team was not prepared for that second round game against the nobody african team in the world cup. the same can be said for the previous 3 games in the world cup. they had to come back because they played like shit to start off all the games. thats a poor reflection on the coach. yet the dumbasses renewed his contract. :spock:

They need a foreign (European or south american) coach with experience.http://i.imgur.com/kFKn6.gif

[The Bad Guy]

Well yeah, there's only so much a coach can do with a fixed talent pool. It's not like this is a club with a large transfer budget. We've got what we've got.

Yes, we do, but Bradley's passive style was basically the Herm Edwards style. Minimize risks, take few chances, and try to stay in the game.

This more attacking style will be similar to Vermeil/Saunders. We may not have great pieces, but I think the style of play will interest more.

[Ultra Peanut]

This is basically an Onion article: Gringo Report: Tigres Bornstein Laments Firing Bradley (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/29/gringo-report-tiges-bornstein-laments-firing-bradley)

[Frankie]

This is basically an Onion article: Gringo Report: Tigres Bornstein Laments Firing Bradley (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/29/gringo-report-tiges-bornstein-laments-firing-bradley)

I remember Bornstein from the WC. He sucked and I wondered why he was on the NT. HE is one of the reasons Bradley's decisions sucked some times. No wonder he misses Bradley. Klinsmann probably will not let him close to the NT.

[Ultra Peanut]

Bornstein was garbage in friendlies, garbage in qualifiers, garbage in the World Cup, and then played a huge(ly inept) role in the blown 2-0 lead over Mexico in the Gold Cup final. When Dolo got hurt and Bradley subbed in a player who's proven himself to be both remarkably dumb and spectacularly untalented, everyone knew what was coming. Bornstein played right to expectations and it was horrible to watch.

He's been a pox on the national team, and to a lesser but still noteworthy extent, so has Kljestan. Whenever they came on it always felt like Bradley was trying to give everyone on the team playing time (aside from using them all the time over vastly more capable players, natch).

[Frankie]

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ro-rogers_klinsmann_national_team_world_cup_draw_080111&active_dimension=carousel_coke_today&ysp_frm_woah=1

U.S., Klinsmann aided by fortunate draw

By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports
Aug 1, 8:32 pm EDT

The marriage between Juergen Klinsmann and the United States national team began with a perfect slice of good fortune, but the new head coach should not expect his honeymoon period to last long.

Klinsmann and the USA were handed a dream run through qualifying last weekend, when the World Cup draw in Rio de Janeiro gave the Americans what would appear to be a trouble-free passage toward the finals in 2014.

Instead of being pitched into a semifinal group including the likes of Costa Rica or Panama (which beat them in the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup), the Americans’ presumed list of opponents is Jamaica, Guatemala and Haiti. If Klinsmann could have hand-picked a set of foes for his first competitive round, it would probably have looked something like that.


Even more fortunate was the twist of fate that will pitch the fourth-placed team in CONCACAF’s final round against the winner of the Oceania region, instead of a team from South America or Asia. The USA will expect to comfortably finish in the top three, but in the case of an unforeseen mishap, a playoff against New Zealand would hold little fear.

Klinsmann used his first meeting with the media since taking the job to talk extensively Monday about bold plans for developing a youth development system that will serve United States soccer long into the future. Yet he should not allow himself to think that immediacy doesn’t matter.

While the nurturing process aimed at producing – in Klinsmann’s words – “an American (Lionel) Messi”, is clearly important, the fact remains that in the court of public opinion the coach of German descent is going to be judged on the results and performances of the men’s national team here and now.

Klinsmann was right when he talked about how the daily intensity and scrutiny on his job will be less than on the corresponding manager of Germany or England or another European or South American nation. The hunger for success is no less great in this country, however, and meaningful victories are the currency with which he will validate his multi-million dollar paycheck.

Bob Bradley’s style was often too defensive, but that’s not what got him fired last week. If Bradley had taken the team just one round further in the World Cup and held off Mexico’s comeback in the Gold Cup final, he would still be employed, regardless of whether the tactical approach seemed dour.

The temptation will be for Klinsmann to take time to settle into the new role, looking at a large collection of players before deciding on those who will take the side forward to Brazil in three years.

He should not expect a large dose of patience though, because that is one trait missing in the United States soccer public. No one is going to clamor for his head if the team loses its friendly against Mexico in Philadelphia next Wednesday, but an early positive result would do him no harm at all.

With memories of that Gold Cup final disappointment still fresh, masterminding a “revenge” victory at Lincoln Financial Field would solidify the positive vibe that followed Klinsmann’s appointment and buy him some breathing space with which to experiment.

The next step would be to implement the technique he employed during his tenure with the German national team ahead of the 2006 World Cup, by giving the side its own identity. In Germany, Klinsmann developed an attacking, fast-paced style, using young and hungry players, and was given the support of coaches in the Bundlesliga.

In the United States, such a task will be considerably more difficult, with no stylistic blueprint for the way an “American” team should play, and with the national team squad playing its club soccer at various locations in Europe and Major League Soccer.

“I deeply believe that soccer in a certain way reflects the culture of a country,” Klinsmann said. “Having studied the U.S. culture over the last 13 years, it is quite a challenge. You have such a melting pot in this country with so many different opinions and ideas floating around there.

“One of my challenges will be to find a way to define how a U.S. team should represent its country. What should be the style of play? Is it more proactive and aggressive, a forward-thinking style of play? Or is it more reacting style of play? That comes with the players that you have at your disposal, but also the people that you are surrounded with, and the people that have an opinion in this country.”

That challenge is one of many that await Klinsmann. But with this job, success means there are fewer questions and opinions tilting in his favor.

[Ultra Peanut]

Klinsmann and the USA were handed a dream run through qualifying last weekendNo way.

[loochy]

Who could have ever expected such a thing?

To be realistic, Jamaica is no slouch anymore and Guatemala is capable of parking the bus and getting a 0-0 draw.

But they only have to go to Central America for 1 team, which is nice.

I keep thinking of the stadiums shown in this commercial:

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vDgEosqZGCM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Ultra Peanut]

Guatemala is a decent team, but Jamaica's so so so inconsistent and the main thing is just, c'mon, what a silly lede. Every CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying draw is a lucky draw for the US and Mexico.

I feel almost guilty that teams like Norway and Ireland and Sweden have horrible qualifying slogs while the big two sides in CONCACAF coast to the WC Finals. (Though Norway looks like they have a good group this time, with Slovenia and then Switzerland presenting the only real threats, awesome. Guess it pays to end up seeded!)

[Ultra Peanut]

Apparently, Timmy Chandler has permission from Nuremberg to head over for camp and the Mexico friendly. It's going to be really nice to see him again, and a Chandler-Lichaj fullback pairing might not look bad at all in 2014 (assuming Dolo declines before then, obviously, though Chandler has looked incredibly impressive in his short run so far).

[cj2wr]

Any insight on which players will be out the door and what new faces we might be seeing?? Charlie Davies again and maybe some new midfield partner for bradley... Very excited for the regime. Hope we get more dynamic. Wonder if klinsmann will go with a younger core from here on out.

[loochy]

Any insight on which players will be out the door and what new faces we might be seeing?? Charlie Davies again and maybe some new midfield partner for bradley... Very excited for the regime. Hope we get more dynamic. Wonder if klinsmann will go with a younger core from here on out.

Bornstein and Kleijstan are probably out.

Has Davies been playing well for DC?

He's gonna have to do something with the back line...Boca, Gooch, and Dolo are getting up there.

[|Zach|]

Bornstein and Kleijstan are probably out.

Has Davies been playing well for DC?

He's gonna have to do something with the back line...Boca, Gooch, and Dolo are getting up there.

Davis has been diving for DC. Being a POS.

[Frankie]

Any insight on which players will be out the door and what new faces we might be seeing??

Bornstein better be, dammit.

[loochy]

Bornstein better be, dammit.

After that last game against Mexico, I think he was gone even if Bradley stayed.

[loochy]

Roster for Aug 10 @ Mexico

Adu, Freddy
Agudelo, Juan
Beasley, DaMarcus
Beckerman, Kyle
Bocanegra, Carlos
Bradley, Michael
Buddle, Edson
Castillo, Edgar
Chandler, Timothy
Cherundolo, Steve
Clark, Ricardo
Donovan, Landon
Edu, Maurice
Goodson, Clarence
Hamid, Bill
Howard, Tim
Jones, Jermaine
Orozco Fiscal, Michael
Pearce, Heath
Ream, Tim
Shea, Brek
Torres, Jose

Beasley is back.

Beckerman, Buddle, Chandler, Orozco, Pearce, and Shea...

...hmm let's see how much they actually play.

No Jozy, Gooch, (new teams in preseason) or Dempsey (Europa and PL start).

[Discuss Thrower]

I'll be in Mexico while this match is going on... It was weird watching an ESPN Mexico interview with Donovan because he speaks fluent Spanish.

[Frankie]

Roster for Aug 10 @ Mexico

Adu, Freddy
Agudelo, Juan
Beasley, DaMarcus
Beckerman, Kyle
Bocanegra, Carlos
Bradley, Michael
Buddle, Edson
Castillo, Edgar
Chandler, Timothy
Cherundolo, Steve
Clark, Ricardo
Donovan, Landon
Edu, Maurice
Goodson, Clarence
Hamid, Bill
Howard, Tim
Jones, Jermaine
Orozco Fiscal, Michael
Pearce, Heath
Ream, Tim
Shea, Brek
Torres, Jose

Beasley is back.

Beckerman, Buddle, Chandler, Orozco, Pearce, and Shea...

...hmm let's see how much they actually play.

No Jozy, Gooch, (new teams in preseason) or Dempsey (Europa and PL start).
WHA?!!!!... No Bornstein?!

[loochy]

WHA?!!!!... No Bornstein?!

Including Bornstein may have resulted in some sort of assasination attempt.

[Frankie]

Including Bornstein may have resulted in some sort of assasination attempt.

Here's something you and I agree on. The guy's suckiness was totally visible to the naked eye during the WC.

[|Zach|]

Here's something you and I agree on. The guy's suckiness was totally visible to the naked eye during the WC.

Your constant username changing is stupid as hell.

[Frankie]

Your constant username changing is stupid as hell.

It's being changed for me. Get with the program Zach.

I have been Frankie on this forum from day one. I must be THE ONLY POSTER who has never hidden behind mults or new usernames.

[cj2wr]

I hope adu donate comes into his own and becomes the player we need. Not a big beasley fan. Love that chandler is getting some time too.

[SPATCH]

Hope to see something like this


-----------------Agudelo
-----------Adu

Shea---------------------------Donovan
-----------Jones-------Edu

Chandler----Boca----Goodson----Cherundolo

[Silock]

Hope to see something like this


-----------------Agudelo
-----------Adu

Shea---------------------------Donovan
-----------Jones-------Edu

Chandler----Boca----Goodson----Cherundolo

I tire of the 2 DM formations. I want a true CAM.

[SPATCH]

I tire of the 2 DM formations. I want a true CAM.

Maybe this? Stu Holden there when he's healthy

-----------Agudelo
------------------Donovan

--------------Adu

Shea---------------------------Bradley
------------Jones

Chandler-----Boca------Goodson----Dolo

---------------Howard


BTW I was really hoping for Sapong or Bunbury to get a call up. Klinsy has to bring one of them into the fold soon

[Silock]

At this point, you'd have to call Sapong over Bunbury purely based upon form and fitness.

I could get down with that formation. Stu Holden is the real deal.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Chandler out with a knock. Zach Loyd coming in to replace him.