Noah Dahl
25 Jun 2003, 03:38 PM
There's a debate going in different threads about how seriously Bruce took the Confed Cup. After all, we can overlook the scoreboard if the games were merely an experiment.
So, what are you saying right now? "Doesn't matter 'cause we weren't tryin'" or "Confed Cup got a significant reading on the Arenometer."
IMHO, Bruce always takes competition seriously. Keeping that winning feeling alive, that confidence and swagger, is something Bruce brings to the table that can't be underrated. (By that I mean it's a very nice table, yes.)
Arena fielded experimental line-ups before in big games. Confed Cup '99 and WC 2002 featured unfamilar US formations stuffed with youngsters and depth players. He played everybody, and those teams reaped him huge rewards.
Furthermore, we all know Bruce has no option but to look at and give serious, competitive international experience to a new generation of players. Doing this while getting results is just life as a national team coach, unless you're Bora.
Bruce has been good at getting results in the process. Didn't happen this time, though I don't think we did so awfully and it wasn't the worst occasion for our team to fail to click.
In summary, I like that table. Please move this discussion to "USA Men." Thank you.
So, what are you saying right now? "Doesn't matter 'cause we weren't tryin'" or "Confed Cup got a significant reading on the Arenometer."
IMHO, Bruce always takes competition seriously. Keeping that winning feeling alive, that confidence and swagger, is something Bruce brings to the table that can't be underrated. (By that I mean it's a very nice table, yes.)
Arena fielded experimental line-ups before in big games. Confed Cup '99 and WC 2002 featured unfamilar US formations stuffed with youngsters and depth players. He played everybody, and those teams reaped him huge rewards.
Furthermore, we all know Bruce has no option but to look at and give serious, competitive international experience to a new generation of players. Doing this while getting results is just life as a national team coach, unless you're Bora.
Bruce has been good at getting results in the process. Didn't happen this time, though I don't think we did so awfully and it wasn't the worst occasion for our team to fail to click.
In summary, I like that table. Please move this discussion to "USA Men." Thank you.