He is probably just looking at the bigger picture of life when saying his best years are ahead. No doubt he still enjoys training and playing. Who doesn't?
Well, we'll have a big green real grass field in Portland with the Timbers playing on it. And when it rains we'll say "That's fine" because it's perfectly engineered with state-of-the-art drainage, and there's no college football team sharing the ground, and the occasional mud bowl game is nearer to the soul of the sport than turf anyway.
Pulisic, Sargent, McKennie, Adams, etc. will have mysterious and diagnosed injuries and illnesses that will force them to excused themselves from the UMSNT.
One thing I always thought Berhalter was weak in : Psychology. I don't think he understands what is going on between players on a psychological level. In a camp where he should be looking at how relatively new players express themselves, he brings in the lion who is known for an overbearing mien and self aggrandizement. I think he's sending the wrong signals. I've never quite understood why the USSF has such a hard time getting out of its own way.
https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/01/08/tata-martino-impact-mexico-national-team-tactics-el-tri When asked what went wrong in Russia and other tournaments such as the 2017 Gold Cup, when El Tri lost to Jamaica in the semifinal, Martino was quick and direct with his response. “There are many reasons why a team sometimes fails, here I give two: one is about excess of confidence, the other is excess of responsibility."
From same story: According to the federation’s president, Yon de Luisa, the coaching search included 24 interviews and trips around the world before concluding with Martino.
Agree that some do. It seems, however, that those that retire at the top of their game are rather few.
I don't think he should, but I if that turns out to be the case wouldn't blame it on Bradley. It would fall 100% on Berhalter's shoulders. I suppose anything is possible but I don't see that happening. I have been wrong before but hope this isn't one of those times.
That is what happens to players close to retirement. They have blinders about their own situation on.
Interesting take. Best case scenario: he's looking for a young lion to forcibly take the mantle from the old lion and is watching to see who meekly accedes to MB? I'm doubtful.....
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...-rationale-first-us-national-team-camp-roster 1. Open your eyes, Gregg, my boy. Bradley is not good, he took season-long sabbatical last year, but beside that he has been in long decline since his move to Roma in 2012 2. Who the ******** are other "older" guys on the roster he brought in? Zardes is 27, that's the oldest of the bunch after Bradley. So basically new head clown (oops, i meant "coach") called in just one "core" player, and somehow it happened to be our one and only Michael Bradley, i bet you a dollar Bradley will be captaining the team vs PAN.
Mikey as Kapitan? Now? That's very hard to believe...so hard to believe that I'll believe that when I see the Panzer divisions roll into Dantzig..... [If, for my own well being through January, I choose to adopt the "see no evil" strategy...well, might as well go full Ostrich & Sand on it....]
Instead of asking players to invent themselves, Berhalter is telling them to see the Lion for their respective lot in life. Such bad strategy. Berhalter has already reduced himself to "manipulated one" in the eyes of players. That was his mistake at Columbus and why players lost faith and wanted out.
My man Don Garber at it again. As CEO of SUM, he is the most powerful man in USSOCCER. What he wants, he gets. For those who don't know, his dog name is Booradley,...……. coincidence? And this is me saying as, I really felt Garber's joy down in Atlanta for the MLS cup. You can see it in his eyes on national TV, that this is what he wanted for MLS. It was Great. It was great for him as MLS commissioner. But the problem is, he needs to get his hand out of the USMNT. He is hijacking the USMNT to continue to promote MLS and his initiatives that he sees fit for SUM/ MLS. This is why conflict of interest continue to deflate this team. And the current agreement between SUM and USSF lasts till 2022. I was not a major fan of Bradley returning, but if he did, it wasent going to be the end of the world. Upon return, I was hoping for a sub-role at best, but was expecting Garber and Flynn to completely destroy the integrity of the USMNT and hand Bradley back his armband and play 90 minutes as if it was no big deal. I was right. That is the problem with this. They have no issues telling the ussoccer community that who they like matters more than what the USMNT needs. Why was Bradley and Altidore the only players called that night down in T & T to say "it wasent their fault"? why cant you call the whole team? So here is what I see happening, Michael Bradley will be captain of this team for the next two friendlies. He will likely play 90 minutes.There is nothing anyone can do, as this what Garber wants. If this happens, I will have a whatever attitude and look to hope it as a send-off series for Bradley as a major contributor to the team. Thank you for your USMNT service. Now if Michael Bradley is captain during the gold cup and goes 90 minutes especially with CM options McKennie, Adams, etc. and Bradley is still looking way past it, that should be it for fans and might as well start only rooting for USWNT.
Let's see first if Bradley is the captain for the next two games. Let's see for ourselves if, should he play in those matches as he has played for the past two years or so, just how Berhalter reacts to that. I will not assume, without some seriously genuine evidence, that Berhalter will be as craven and delusional as our previous three managers. Mikey wishes to burn his reputation as a player, that is his business. That Greg wishes to do so as a manager is not something we have any reason [yet] to believe.
Here’s the problem, though. If you happen to correctly criticize him or any Bradley, they (Bob, his brother, or Michael) will email, DM, or text you privately to tell you why you’re wrong and they’re right and it’s exhausting. They wear you down and bully you to (re)gain control.— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) January 12, 2019