In the last five months, there's been a very mixed reaction to Bradley's hiring as interim coach, and now permanent head coach. And that bothers me, because here we have an American elevated to the international stage, and there are not that many opportunities in the sport for that sort of thing to happen (for players, and MUCH LESS so for our coaching talent), so I would think there should be overwhelming fanfare when one of our own gets that rare opportunity. This is a crowd that goes inexplicably wild when Americans play in Europe and get television time during a CL match on ESPN2. Now another American has a chance to make an impact on the American game as well. And what is the response? Hoping our guys throw the Gold Cup and Copa America so firings are administered and Europeans fill in the gaps. And don't lie to me, I have seen statements to that effect as of late. I think we'll do well in the years to come with the coach we have now, but I know Bradley's not a perfect coach. Hey, I got that when he led the MetroStars. He was disappointing. He did better with Chivas, but anyone can make the argument that anyone could do better with that God-awful team. But here's the thing, and there's no way around it: Donovan-haters, for example, don't wish for the US team to do poorly if he's on the roster. On the contrary, if you're a US supporter, you SUPPORT the US regardless of who plays. Well, another American has been given an opportunity. He is just as much a part of the team as the players are. He deserves the same support. And frankly, the alternative would be very grim for all involved, because we would have been facing a future in which the highest opportunity an American coach will ever have lies strictly in MLS, because apparently only foreigners can coach the national team and a domestic coach doesn't warrant the same backing the players receive. Bradley's appointment, while executed in the worst possible way, goes a long way toward keeping that door open to Americans who hope to propel themselves onto the international stage. Hiring a European closes that door (right now, the ONLY avenue for advancement past domestic, professional soccer), and makes it very difficult to open it back up. Was this a disappointing situation? Sure. Does Gulati deserve blame for his indecision? Absolutely. But when it strictly comes to the national team, I think it's high time to think about the future, and for fans of the national team to come together and figure out some constructive ways to lend their unequivocal and unconditional support to all directly involved with the on-field product of the team. Players included. Bradley included. Will that be a problem for anyone?
I agree that US supporters need to get behind the coach. My problem is solely with the Federation's brass. Unless they have tricked 99.999999% of us and Bradley isn't the coach, they really did a poor job in this whole process. I just hope that Sunil doesn't try and bullsh!t the supporters tommorow by saying something like- "After an extensive search and numerous interviews, we have decided that Bradley is the best candidate for the job and who we wanted." The Federation needs to be honest with the supporters, not skew the truth.
Yeah, I'll get right on not doing that. He wasn't the best available candidate. National team coach is not on the job training for a guy who hasn't stood out in MLS. In the recent past he did some very poor coaching with the metrostars and gets chivas to 4th place or so and that means he's a good national team candidate? Sorry, but no. We only have one spot for a head coach and it should go to someone who will make our program as a whole the best, you know for the good of the team.
Yeah I agree I wasn't really looking towards him as our head coach, but now thats said and done, I will support him. I pray I am wrong and he brings out the best of our players, and motivates them.
Bradley , the USSF, and Gulati can eat a dick. I refuse to swallow that pill jus cuz he's American. The best man for the job will be the best man for the job regardless of race or place of origin. Gulati pulled this shit cuz he knows get can pay this guy for cheap labor, pull his strings, and sell it to the idiots who choose to close their eyes to the problem at hand we have in the US soccer brass.
So what should they have said when they hired him? "Since we couldn't find a better coach who wanted the job, we present to you our 7th choice coach who backed into the job, Bob Bradley." Get down off your high horse. Every person who is hired and presented to an audience is presented as the person for the job. Get the hell over it.
I agree with the original post. I cannot address the others without losing my temper, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut.
Totally... There is nothing Gulati could have done that would have been worse. Hiring his mother as coach would be better. Seriously, this is the worst move ever. Think about it, the worst move ever. Invading Iraq = better move. All that chaos in France '98 = better moves. Going all-in on a seven, deuce off set = better move.
This whole situation has been one disaster after another (Klinsy bungling, manner in which BB was hired day after Klinsy dropped out, interim tag). I figured they waited this long because they were waiting to see what Euro candidates might be out there once their seasons end. I was really shocked that, having waited this long, USSF didn't wait longer. All this said, I will yell my head off when the US plays in the GC this summer. I'll sing and chant my ass off. So in keeping with the thread....Yes, I'll get behind BB.
the thing is will we really be able to stomach another poor performance in 2010? But you know the chances are in our favor. 1990 poor. 1994 good. 1998 poor. 2002 good. 2006 poor. 2010? good ofcourse
It's time for some of you to get off your idiot sticks and support BB until he gives us a reason to call for his firing. He's the coach. It's done. Get over it. This is the US Team and the coach is part of it. Or go cheer for Mexico, if you're that steamed about it!
The only reason I support Bradley is because we can't succeed if he doesn't succeed. I can't pull against the 'Nats just to be able to say, "I told you so" (which I have...on several occasions). My main fear is if Bradley succeeds then nothing happens to Gulati. Gulati should have to face the music regardless of any successes or failures by Bradley. I'm actually surprised Gulati didn't chose Pekerman, because Gulati is such a Pekerhead.