Like many of you I love the US national team. We all spend money to support them by buying jerseys or by travelling, often times to foreign countries with anti-American sentiement. I also live in El Paso, where Mexico is the favorite team, but I wear my US colors proudly amongst derision from Mex fans and my fellow Americans who don't follow or understand the game. There are thousands like us and WE DESERVE BETTER AND MUST ACT! Last night's result only capped off a bad year for US Soccer in general. Please consider the following: The U-20 team failed to qualify for the WC. The U-17 team has underwhelemed...again. The senior team is headed in the wrong direction. The women's team has a technical director and the men's team does not? Where is the logic in this? The necessary changes are probably not going to come from US Soccer and Sunil Gulati unless we make our voices heard. The federation is so insulated and do whatever they want, because they get so little pressure from the media except every four years. Guys like Galarcrep and Wahl always give US Soccer and Bradley passes. It is time for us to let the federation know that as fans we are not happy with the direction of OUR TEAMS not Sunil Gulati's teams. How do we pressure them? E-mails to Gulati and others at US Soccer? Online Petitions? I don't know, and that is why I am writing this post, so that others who are serious may contribute ideas. Do these calls for change mean getting rid of Bradley? Not necessarily, but probably. If Bradley goes, that will not solve many of the problems, but it will be a step in the right direction. Several pairs of outside eyes need to come in and evaluate our programs and changes must be made. We are Americans and we should not accept mediocrity. I am going to be contacting US Soccer in some fashion and letting them know that I am not happy. I hope that all of you and those who love this team will do the same.
Problem with emaling Gulati is he needs to go as does Bradley, sorry this isn't being drastic but EVERYTHING needs to be changed from the top down. We need to get a coach that understands elite level soccer and has the guts to make mass changes as to how we develop players.
boycott the next home friendly. Pretty sure that will get sunils attention. Hes a money man first and foremost.
Agreed. The problem is bigger than Bradley. We need a coaching change but what we need most is a complete overhaul of the entire soccer system. From the youth level all the way to the USMNT. We already boycotted the GC final. Lol
I emailed Sunil after the Brazil debacle in the Confed Cup (the 3-0 loss) and he waited until we beat Spain and wrote back a snooty email basically saying "I told you so." (my email was very "fair" and respectful). My bet is he will wait until something positive happens and then write you back and say "I told you so."
If you guys are serious about campaigning lets start a network. NO MORE GRIPING WE NEED TO ACT!!! JURGEN KLINNSMAN NOW!!!! ICH WARTE FUR MEINEN TRAINER! (everything sounds more serious in german)
Klinsman offered this like 7 years ago, opps. FYI, it's.... auf etwas warten Ich warte auf meinen Trainer otherwise good job with the accusative case preposition and masculine noun.
My triumvirate of ideas: 1. Something has shifted media-wise since the 2010 WC. Both Lalas and Winalda were highly critical of the team then; but Winalda has now shifted into this role that alomst reminds me of his character in that mock used car commercial (remember that? Funny bit, but now I think they were on to something.) Lalas has disappeared and Cobi Jones and Christopher Sullivan are eternal apologist for the team and I guess USSF, by finding something rosy in every game. There is this pervasive insistence on making excuses (things fell apart "when Dolo went out". Really? Did the back line for Mexico fall apart when Marquez and Salcido went out?). It's like an AYSO mentality of keeping it positive, warm and fuzzy ("the US did not give up a goal in the last three matches" prior to the final. So what? Mexico was shredding prior to the final.) Why not bombard Winalda, Jones and Sullivan with emails since they are actually in a position to voice opinions and ideas that can be heard? I know, they are just holding on to their jobs, etc. Not what they really think. Then if they are sellouts, then go after them the way people on this site go after Rome. As the expression goes, when the finger points at the moon, the fool stares at the finger. 2. Right now, the MLS offers a better soccer experience than the US Nats. US Man of the Match in yesterdays final? The only MOTM yesterday was Mike Magee who and should probably be Man of the Match for the Year. I'm a Galaxy fan, but I also make an effort to watch Seattle games because I feel like I'm watching real football. Also, despite initial reservations, Dan Garber is the real deal. Why not appeal to the owners and MLS corporate to hear the voice of the fans, to give more MLS players the opportunity on a regular basis? Why not send an MLS All-Star team of US players to the Copa America, or at least on tour of SA or Europe in the off-season? I just don't understand why we do not send a team to the Copa America. ANY team. Doesn't matter if we lose. We test players in big tournaments. I agree that boycotting games, merchandise, etc., can be effective, but why not contact the USMNT players and let them know how you really feel. I'm not talking creepy, stalking emails, but heartfelt letters of support yet outrage at a program that is in decline while interest in soccer in America grows. The USSF--and the players--OWE IT TO THE FANS...not vice-versa. 3. Changing course is not something that happens overnight or by simply replacing Bradley. As with all successful revolutions, or whatever one deems the overhaul of the USMNT program, there needs to be manifesto, a declaration of what is wrong, what needs to change and how to change it. I nominate Dan Loney, or someone equally insightful and knowledgeable (I know there are those with low opinions of Loney so throw out some names) to draft it, with input from the fan base. There needs to be contact with all supporters groups, especially the MLS teams, for input and participation. There eventually needs to be coordinating committee that will will oversee the implementation of the agreed upon goals (yeah, pun intended). A lot of people put time, money and resources into traveling to the US games and supporting the program in other ways. I'm sure there are people that would be willing to devote those resources in other ways that will actually facilitate the needed change that will restore the US Nats to their 2002 level; and right this obviously wrong course WE are on. I'm sure there are those that are fine with 2nd place in CONCACAF, that we DID make it to the final and so forth. Sorry, but yesterday's game was not simply a defeat, but an abject humiliation, worse than 2009. Had the score been 1-0 or 2-1 Mexico, I may well have not taken the time to even go on BS and write this missive. I knew Mexico would win, I knew we had problems, that Bradley had to go...I just didn't know how bad it really was. The cynic in me screams that I'm wasting my time even writing this and that the fan base will not wake up until we do not qualify for Brazil--and anyone who tells me we are a lock for 2014 with Bradley as coach, may well be delusional. But I saw this thread and realized there are probably others out there like myself. Realistically, I will have to think about the commitment required to undertake such a campaign...but I will think about it. I have no choice.
Everyone just bring signs and posters next game...describing how badly we want Bob and company out...Like someone bring a huge picture of Klinsman smacking Bob or something...be creative!
Can someone please post gulati's e-mail? I will look for it, but I don't know if I'll find it. I am not calling for a boycott of the team...that's ridiculous. I would never intentionally miss a game for a team that I love. Glad to see some serious responses.