Actually I'm drinking a beer in honor of Uncle Bob right now. We've lost enough players this year to National Team Duty. Thanks, but no thanks. And yes, I understand I'm saying that as a fan. I can't see one player on our team who wouldn't want to play against Brazil. I just want our team together as much as possible, take the rest when we can get it (since we know there's only really 14 players capable of seeing the field).
Thank God Michael Bradley was available. Without him and Josh Wolff, this game might have been in doubt. Please fire BB ... Now. He's turning the USA into a joke
I think theres only 3(1 pure striker) guys in player pool right now that have more international goals than Wolff, so I dont mind seeing him there for this particular game. IIRC, only Donovan, Johnson, andBeasley(34, 15, 11) have more than Wolff's 9. Bradley being on the roster isnt what bothers me, it's that he's always in the starting 11.
If this Michael Bradley fiasco continues I will find it very hard to watch our National Team. He's a fine young player who deserves an occasional look...he is not the core of this team.
His immense presence in out national team would be perplexing if he wasnt the coaches' son, but the fact that he is makes it look like theres something rotten in Denmark.
That's why I said Thanks Uncle Bob..but after reading it hours later I can see that the sarcasm could go either way!!!
Look, I'll be the first to yell that there's something rotten in my water (which is why I drink beer). But let's get off this kick on Bradley. If you remember, prior to his being an idiot and getting a stupid red ... his last game for the US, he was fantastic. The kid can play. He's still young. Forget that he's the coaches son, and give him a chance to prove himself.
Josh Wolff deserves to be on this team, Michael Bradley does not. As for the no Revs players, Bradley didn't pick from any MLS teams that are playing that week (which is why EJ and Arnaud got the call up from KC, they've got a bye week).
How many chances does he get? Parky got one maybe two and he's the real deal. BB is manipulating the roster to try and make him a "star" Exhibit B - If he is such a rising star, how did NY let him go? Seriously on this one. Was he a free transfer out?
Josh Wolff has been done for years. He had one game, two WC's ago, where he scored a goal. Other then that, his production is nothing. While I like TnT, I'm beginning to think he won't ever make it internationally. The rising star in the US is Altidore
Twellman is like a steak that's been on the grill too long. You know it's not going to be good, but you try it anyways. I'd love to see him perform well for the NT, but let's face it, he's not been very good. Prior to the WC he was in good form and the non-call up really ****ed with his head I think. As for Wolff, I don't think he's a world class striker or anything, but he is in Europe and is one of the best options we've got. I've said on another forum that I wish Altidore had been called up, but I still don't think he's experienced enough to compete with Brazil. The US seem to breed quality keepers, like we've got a factory somewhere, but our striking options are limited. When Twellman, Johnson, Wolff, and Ching are your best, you've got a problem. No I'm not doubting their talent, but they don't play half of the year (well, Wolff does now) and MLS doesn't really prepare you for facing the likes of Brazil.
I know a lot of people here hate Eurosnob arguments like these, but Michael Bradley is one of only two USMNT midfield or attacking players in Europe regularly starting for a team in a top 10 league. Clint Dempsey is the other. And with Heerenveen being in the UEFA cup this year, and Fulham just escaping relegation last year, I'm not sure that they're worse than Fulham. And if that doesn't justify giving him so much playing time, then the fact that he's accomplished this at such a young age and still has the potential to improve a great deal by the next World Cup might. I think Parkhurst has been shortchanged a bit this year, but I take it that he was too important for the Revs to release him during Copa America, and that the lack of MLS players in the past two friendlies have been due to travel time or scheduling conflicts, the exception being players who are viewed as essential to the team (Donovan and Mastroeni), or players not playing that week (Johnson and Arnaud).
Like I said, it's not that he's on the roster that bothers me, it dosent, he belongs, but has he really played well enough to lock down that starting spot? He played great against Canada in the Gold Cup, but was shit for a few other GC games and that Sweden game. Personally, I dont think a guy should be a no-doubt starter at 20 years old unless he is lighting it up, which Bradley isnt. I'm not saying it's definite that he plays because he is the coaches son, but it sure dosent look good. I mean, can you imagine if Steve McClaren's 20 year old son was starting every England game and wasnt dominating? The English press would be out for blood.
Mini-bob, Borestien, Feilhaber, Howard are all young players that are going to be key players for the US in the future, so Bradly is playing them now instead of later. Remember it's not about winning friendlys or invitational cups now it's about qualifying and advancing in the WC in 10
Yes, that sums it up. I am still unsure of what I think about Bob Bradly as a coach, but I think he has the right idea of building his team around a group of young players who will be well preped for the WC. His son just happens to play a prominient role in that process. funny that.