BB answers questions about Cooper and Torres!

[mcadaal]

Mad props to the reporters for some really good questions!

When asked if Cooper was being alienated based on his current form in the MLS, Bradley responded (the whole audio file can be found on ussoccer.com):

"There are just so many factors [to bring a player] in every camp. Kenny is, based upon his season, is absolutely a player that we are keeping a good eye on. I mean..uhh..you just have to balance so many different factors. For sure.. when a player has a strong season, we take notice. He's having a good season."

"Torres has good starting points and we are excited to have him. There was a lot in the process of recruiting Torres. He wants to be here with us. He seems to be very comfortable with the team."

Question to BB: How tempted are you to use him on Saturday to lock him in?

"When we bring players into camp, we bring them in with the idea to help us what were doing and obviously there are 23 players. You make your choices based upon the game. He's here because we think he can help us."

[kokoplus10]

I don't know if this thread title is correct. Perhaps a more appropriate title would have been: "Bob Bradley dodges the tough questions yet again".

[dncm]

Another good question: "do you feel players are in form"

BB: [paraphrasing]"well, some are not playing right now and that is not something we want. Some are with new clubs so we unerstand it takes time.

Why bring in Perkins:

BB: [paraphrasing]Can't answer again cuz so many considerations. Troy has proven himself, worked hard, yadda yadda yadda


And to clarify the Cooper question above - I liked how it was asked. BB was answering a question about the first day, and how he felt they were getting to a point where each new camp did not require them to start over but to continue where they left off.

That was when the question was asked, by having that type of environment, does that alienate a player like Cooper who is having such a good season...(really well asked as a follow-up):

And the followup to the vague Cooper answer should have been: So why is he not here in camp - what else would he have to do to get called up?

Not really too many details - but the person(s) who asked these questions were 4 good questions. Keep BB on his toes.

[TimB4Last]

Re Torres: No worries - none whatsoever - I'm very happy he chose to play for us. :)

Re Cooper: Pretty tepid endorsement. "...when a player has a strong season, we take notice. He's having a good season."

Uh ... a good season, Bob? Not a strong season? Not a great season?

I'm not a Cooper guy myself, but it's clear that Bob is not impressed.*

I'm still very suspicious of Cooper's being frozen out entirely, because I think we need a pool of at least six quality forwards to choose from, planning to pick four healthy and in-form players and play two of them at a time. Even counting Donovan and Adu as forwards - something I am willing to do - and adding Altidore and (if necessary) Ching, I can't count six, not even close.

Under those circumstances, I can't freeze out Cooper, but Bob has (for his own reasons). I'd love to know exactly what those reasons are, but it seems unlikely that I ever will.

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* By Cooper - I'm sure he's impressed by me. :cool:

[Prime Time]

It's pretty much known why BB won't call-up Cooper, and we've argued it to death.

Cooper is more of a SS, but BB wants him to mold his game to that of a striker. Until he does that, I don't see Kenny being called up (frequently).

[Clint Eastwood]

I don't know why Bob can't say, "FC Dallas was adamant that they needed him for the playoff strech run. If Dallas isn't in MLS Cup, I expect to call Kenny up for the Guate game on Nov. 19th." Instead he dodges the questions and cites "factors," but won't tell us what they are. Maybe he doesn't want to piss-off ChivasUSA, from whom he took Kljestan...........

[Kevin8833]

It's pretty much known why BB won't call-up Cooper, and we've argued it to death.

Cooper is more of a SS, but BB wants him to mold his game to that of a striker. Until he does that, I don't see Kenny being called up (frequently).
You can get into all the size, skill, technical aspects blah blah blah. Point is he is a forward and he scores goals. None of our players have been doing that except Dempsey the past two games and our CB's off of set pieces.

[superdave]

Cooper is more of a SS, but BB wants him to mold his game to that of a striker.
I don't know if that's what Bradley wants, but let's face it, as good as Cooper is, the US has better players for that role.

Me, I think that Donovan and Cooper could play together very well and complement each other. I don't see them as being in competition for the first XI in the way that Beasley and Convey used to be (for example.) But if you and/or Bob thinks that is Cooper's style, then it makes sense for him to leave Cooper in Dallas.

[kokoplus10]

I don't know why Bob can't say, "FC Dallas was adamant that they needed him for the playoff strech run. If Dallas isn't in MLS Cup, I expect to call Kenny up for the Guate game on Nov. 19th." Instead he dodges the questions and cites "factors," but won't tell us what they are. Maybe he doesn't want to piss-off ChivasUSA, from whom he took Kljestan...........

I don't know why Bob can't say, "I don't like it when pasty white boys rip off their shirts after scoring against Denmark in a friendly."

[TrueCrew]

In my view, the best forward options for the US are (I don't consider Freddy a forward).

1. Donovan (duh)
2. Altidore
3. Ching (dependable and solid)
4. Dempsey (a bit out of position)
5. Adu (I'd rather see him as a CAM or AM, but can play withdrawn as well)
5. Cooper: don't be afraid to be a big. That's his problem, he floats too much.
6. Twellman: just keeps on scoring.
7. Davies: moving up the charts.
8. Buddle
9. Cunningham: Yes, I know he's past his prime, but never got a fair shake.
10. Razov: Like Jeff, he'll not get a sniff anymore, but still dangerous.
11. Wolff: Still reliable and productive, nice bike last week!
12. Johnson: needs to get it together.[/QUOTE]
13. Casey: he just resurfaced!
14. Rolfe: still has potential, at RW or up front.
15. Robbie Findley: all that speed.
16. Barrett: still developing

[Prime Time]

I don't know if that's what Bradley wants, but let's face it, as good as Cooper is, the US has better players for that role.

Exactly, which is most likely the reason why he isn't getting called up.

Me, I think that Donovan and Cooper could play together very well and complement each other. I don't see them as being in competition for the first XI in the way that Beasley and Convey used to be (for example.) But if you and/or Bob thinks that is Cooper's style, then it makes sense for him to leave Cooper in Dallas.

Cooper would also have to beat out Adu for the back-up SS spot too. That is most likely why BB wants Cooper to play like a striker. Because in all honesty, after Jozy, we truly lack depth up top with guys that can finish.

[DonJuego]

It's pretty much known why BB won't call-up Cooper, and we've argued it to death.

Cooper is more of a SS, but BB wants him to mold his game to that of a striker. Until he does that, I don't see Kenny being called up (frequently).

Is there a quote or link to some evidence behind this statement? Or is this just a guess about what BB is thinking?

[Prime Time]

You can get into all the size, skill, technical aspects blah blah blah. Point is he is a forward and he scores goals. None of our players have been doing that except Dempsey the past two games and our CB's off of set pieces.

He likes to play as a SS though. BB seems to want him to play in a pure striker role. Until he can work on his game to become a pure striker, then he'll see few (if any) call-ups.

[Craig P]

Is there a quote or link to some evidence behind this statement? Or is this just a guess about what BB is thinking?
It's an educated guess based on how Cooper plays, other competition in a role that suits that style of play, and england66's reports of Bradley's opinions on Cooper.

[russ]

Until he can work on his game to become a pure striker,

And when you say "striker",you mean "target forward for 50-60 yd. clearances lumped blindly out of the backline".

Because right now he's doing what a striker should do-score.

[CarlitosWay]

I think BB doesn't think Cooper can handle the speed of play. He is not exactly known for quick decisions in MLS play, and in his games for the US seems to suffer from the EJ "backpass 90% of the time" syndrome

[TimB4Last]

I think BB doesn't think Cooper can handle the speed of play. He is not exactly known for quick decisions in MLS play, and in his games for the US seems to suffer from the EJ "backpass 90% of the time" syndrome

There is a line you cross, you don't never come back from. Point of no return. Cooper crossed it. I'm here with him. That's means I am going along for the ride. The whole ride. All the way to the end of the line, wherever that is.

[england66]

I don't know why Bob can't say, "I don't like it when pasty white boys rip off their shirts after scoring against Denmark in a friendly."



I don't think Bradley was too impressed by that either.

[england66]

I think BB doesn't think Cooper can handle the speed of play. He is not exactly known for quick decisions in MLS play, and in his games for the US seems to suffer from the EJ "backpass 90% of the time" syndrome

...In his games for the US..?? he's played twice as a sub for a total of 60 minutes or so...hardly enough time to do much of anything ('cept score a goal)

[ChrisSSBB]

I don't know why Bob can't say, "FC Dallas was adamant that they needed him for the playoff strech run. If Dallas isn't in MLS Cup, I expect to call Kenny up for the Guate game on Nov. 19th." Instead he dodges the questions and cites "factors," but won't tell us what they are. Maybe he doesn't want to piss-off ChivasUSA, from whom he took Kljestan...........

BB isn't exactly the type to let down his hair (!), put his feet up on his desk and chit-chat openly to reporters concerning all of his plans, decisions and motivations, is he?

In a way I can't blame him as there is likely to be more than one factor for many players. As soon as you start naming one, reporters ask "what about x and y player? doesn't same apply there?". Maybe you can answer a few of these but eventually come up against a question and factor you would rather not talk about concerning a player. BB is just doing things the safe way and personally, I don't blame him when there are so many players to consider and you don't want to alienate any of them.