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Side Kicks: As American as apple pie
by Robert Burns and John Juhasz, FoxSoccer.com
Since the only thing that I want to talk about is the game and most of the questions from our readers are about said game, I think I'll just gloss over the intro and get down to business.
FoxSoccer.com senior editor Robert Burns and FoxSports.com fantasy editor John Juhasz answer all your random questions about the Beautiful Game every Friday!
Side Kicks - Ask us anything about the Beautiful Game.
Let's do this thing ...
Congratulations to the USMNT for a brave and hard working performance against a Brazil team that, in the first half, was made to look like a sunday league pub team. The team played their socks off and worked for each other. I am a Brit with an American wife who hates soccer but even she enjoyed the game. It was refreshing to watch a team play with great heart which we have not been used to when watching the England team in recent years. Do you think that coach Bradley will keep his job for the world cup? On this showing he deserves to. Regards Stuart, Suffolk United Kingdom
Stuart Eke of Lowestoft, United Kingdom
Robert: Although the U.S. reached the final and had a great chance to win, Bradley still made many mistakes along the way, but it's forgotten in the glow of a strong finish.
I think his job is secure as long as the U.S. is still in a position to qualify for the World Cup, and barring any monumental collapses in the coming qualifiers, that shouldn't be a major problem.
In all likelihood, the U.S. will go down to Mexico on August 12 and get waxed. Of course I'd like to see a different outcome (I'd settle for a strong draw), but history has shown the Americans incapable of getting a result at the Azteca. And belive me, that's no slam — not many national teams have ever won there in the high altitude and smog.
After that though, the U.S. should pick up the necessary points for safe passage to South Africa again, and ultimately that is all U.S. Soccer is concerned about at this point when it comes to Bob Bradley. If there was any doubt about that, the run to the final at the Confederations Cup put it to rest.
Bradley's ideal lineup fell into his lap due to injuries, but I'll take serendipity any day if it puts the U.S. in line to win trophies at the international level. His substitutions are also questionable — either the wrong personnel or his timing when it comes to making them. He got away with it against Spain, but his mistakes were exposed by Brazil in that second half.
Of course, a lot of this is also up to the players. The coach can't be out on the field explaining to them how to hold onto the ball and keep possession for more than two passes before booting it up the field to relieve pressure. No, that's on the guys wearing the cleats.
But at the end of the day, the U.S. put together one hell of a run and that's something to celebrate. The world was watching and the U.S. delievered a memorable performance that even impressed a guy like Stuart, so that's saying something.
John: It's highly likely Bob Bradley, for better or worse, will keep his job through the 2010 World Cup unless he resigns for some reason (which would really be a longshot). And yes, as goofy as it may sound, sometimes the amount of heart one team shows goes a long way towards determining the outcome of the match. Just rent the movie Victory if you have any doubts.
FIFA Confederations Cup
Although the U.S. side didn't exactly show nearly this much resilience or grit in their first two games of the Confederations Cup. I really have no idea what happened between the Brazil and Egypt matches of the group stage, but I wish Bradley could store some of that into a bottle and keep it until next year. Say what you like about how seriously the teams took this competition, but at the absolute minimum, these matches proved the U.S. has the talent to hang with any team in the world on their best day. I think becoming a true world-class side is now simply a matter of adding more depth and proper management from the coaching staff.
Hang in there with England, Stu. Capello has turned them in the right direction and knows how to get the maximum effort out of his players. Besides, I've had a feeling for the last few months that the U.S. is going to draw England in the same group for WC 2010.
I have a question. Who do you think will go to manchester united after selling cristiano ronaldo? Will they buy someone or will they keep nani and play him there? Also if they do buy someone who do you think they will buy?
Jimmy N. of New York
John: We can scratch Franck Ribery off the list since he's intent on playing only for Real Madrid now. I think we may actually see an end to the dominance from Man United in the next few seasons, but that's another discussion for another time.
Some of the screamers I've seen Nani blast into the back of the net from open play have been nothing short of astounding. He may not be good enough to make Man United fans completely forget about Ronaldo (really, who could?), but I think you'll see a lot of him this upcoming season.
I'm guessing Man United holds off on making any huge purchases this offseason ... partly because they've now got to repay a good amount of debt, and the Ronaldo transfer sum will help them balance their books a little. Even Malcolm Glazer's war chest isn't bottomless.
Robert: I disagree Johnny — there's no way United doesn't do something relatively 'big' in the transfer market. Just like Real Madrid reloaded after getting stomped on by Barcelona, so too will the Red Devils — certainly not as extravagantly, but they won't go quiet into that good night.
Let's not forget that when it comes to stature worldwide, Manchester United is right up there with Real Madrid. They're not No.1 and 2 on the money list for nothing. It's obvious that this transfer season belongs to the Spanish club, but there are still some top-notch players out there who could be tempted by a visit to the Old Trafford trophy case.
2009 Summer Transfers
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Transfer Pages
Samuel Eto'o certainly comes to mind, as does Sergio Aguero. Franck Ribery? Sure, he's said he only wants to play for Real, but if the Bernabeu boys finally decide it's time to close up shop for the summer, I wouldn't be surprised to hear a different tune.
The damage has been done at Bayern, even though they've already stated that the Frenchman will be staying in Munich this fall. A lot can change ... all we're doing is guessing in reality. No one ever really knows what might transpire — that's why they came up with the word 'surprise.'
But ultimately I do believe that United will make at least one big move, perhaps even bringing Ruud van Nistelrooy back. You don't lose the World Player of the Year and then just sit on your butt thinking everything will be just as good as it was before.
i have been playing soccer in italy for 20 years and i'm a proud american now. why a coach like bradley that has a bench full of players doesn't use them?...we are winning 2-1 and brazil is gaining field...what takes you to understand that you MUST make some substitutions?...i'm incredibly surprise that doen't change davis (who played well on first, but gave it all) and feilhaber who was loosing his confidence....then, as a mediocre coach, after brazil makes 2 subsitutions...here he changes 2 players...taking away altidore, who was the only one that could hold the ball up in the brazilians area and he still keeps davis in the field. well, a good coach, would hav made the changes, before the game is compromized (2-2)...anyway usa has a good team to work with...please, give them at least a good coach...with international experience (like milutinovic gave the usa team at the time of lalas, wynald, meola etc.)...it's a pity to watch he disappointment in the faces of the usa players...they know...that the coach made them lose the confederation cup....hope the usa soccer federation, will take some action...immediatelly, otherwise...we will see many, many of this faces...ciao
Vince of Monterey, Calif. via Italy
Robert: I'm with you Vince, as I'm certain many U.S. fans are. It was rather painful watching a confidence-lacking Sacha Kljestan come on in the 75th minute, but after relegating Freddy Adu and Jose Francisco Torres to the bench for the entire tournament, Bradley in truth really didn't have much of a choice.
U.S. Soccer in the spotlight
Which of course begs the question — why did neither of those players get an opportunity to log some minutes in order to be prepared for that very situation? The U.S. was losing ground and needed a shot in the arm, not a band-aid.
Ultimately, Michael Bradley's red card really did come back to haunt the U.S.
But you brought up another interesting point, and that was the American players' reactions. I liked it. Dempsey was crying with disappointment ... that's fantastic. That's the kind of passion and desire I want to see from our players.
And after the game when LD told the reporter, "We don't want respect anymore. We want to win trophies," then I knew the mentality from the players was right on. It was then that I realized how important this experience will be for the team when they get to South Africa next summer ... when it matters even more.
John: I was calling for Bradley to bring on subs around the 60th minute of the game, Vince. No one will ever be able to say with any certainty how much they would have been able to stop the Brazilian avalanche, but it's partly why I touched on the depth issue for the U.S. above.
As far as a new coach ... well, let's just say I'd be just as anxious as you to see what someone like Guus Hiddink could accomplish if we handed him the keys right before the WC kicked off. We'll probably have to wait until at least 2014 to find out.
Hey guys how's it going? Let's get right to it if you don't mind. I think everyone can agree our stating XI in the final games were flawless for the most part. Personally I loved it and I don't think it should be changed an awful lot for future friendlies, quialifiers, etc. For instance, Cherundolo and Ching will be fit soon, but do you tihnk they should be put back in the startin line? What needs to stay consistent for the US team?
Ryan Derchamp of Oak Park, Calif.
John: Bradley basically used the same field players for every single match of the Confederations Cup, and that's why the U.S. was completely exhausted by the time the second half of the final rolled around. There's no way in hell that strategy will ever fly in the World Cup for any team.
We only played five matches in the Confederations Cup over the course of two weeks where we'd have to play seven over the course of four, respectively, in the World Cup if we wanted to advance to the final. Even if he doesn't really want to, Bradley needs to start trusting his bench players to at least give him 30-40 minutes here or there. Not to mention, players like Jozy Altidore and Benny Feilhaber were nowhere near fit enough to play the full 90 at a proper pace.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Losing Michael Bradley certainly didn't help since he's the type of player who actually could run around like a lunatic for the full 90 minutes, but the same can't really be said for many others on the U.S. roster. Had Bradley started, maybe we could have brought on Feilhaber in the 60th minute or so in order to help kill off the game instead of relying on him to go the full 90 when he couldn't.
Ugh — could've, should've, would've. I'm getting depressed thinking about how close we were again. Let's start talking about something else.
Robert: Well, I like to think the back line is pretty well-established after the Confederations Cup. Tim Howard in goal, Jonathan Spector at right back (with Dolo backing him up), Demerit and Gooch in the middle, and Bocanegra at left back (but also available to move into the middle in case of injury or suspension).
Your wild card is the d-mid spot. Ricardo Clark appears to be the frontrunner, but a lot might change if and when Jermaine Jones clears his U.S. switch with FIFA. It will be difficult for Bradley to ignore Jones' experience with a club like Schalke. Then there's Pablo Mastroeni, but at this point he's on the outside looking in.
Donovan, Bradley, Dempsey and Altidore are locks. Charlie Davies only raised his stock during the tournament, so much so that he's getting offers from good clubs in Holland and Germany. I wouldn't pencil him in just yet as Altidore's wingman, but he'll certainly get a fair shot to be called 'Goose.'
But a lot can change between now and then, so we'll have to wait and see how things go in the Gold Cup and upcoming qualifiers. I'm also looking forward to seeing Adu put on a show at the Gold Cup. With Donovan out of the team, Freddy should be pulling the strings and that's what many U.S. fans have been waiting a long time to witness.
Who's going to win the Gold Cup? I'm not sure that the MLS-based U.S. squad can get it done, but it's not like there's a lot of competition outside of Mexico and Costa Rica. Strangely though, after the South Africa tourney, I'm looking forward to this one. So who's it gonna be?
Brian Bahr of Chicago
Robert: If we had the same team from the Confederations Cup, I'd say it was a lock. But since it is for all intents and purposes a brand new roster, we won't really know how cohesive they have become until after the first two matches.
The good part is that these players have something to prove, and there's no better place for them to do it. It's a home tournament, these aren't friendlies and there's a trophy at the end of the line. The MLS guys know they're facing an uphill battle to get to the World Cup, so this is their opportunity to perform.
Mexico is bringing a strong squad without a doubt, and Costa Rica is just in damn good form. Honduras will have some moments of brilliance, but ultimately make a few too many costly mistakes.
The rest are longshots in the truest sense of the word. The Reggae Boyz, Canada and El Salvador will show up in the highlights here and there, but don't really have a legitimate shot to win the whole thing.
So who's going to win it? Well, I will say this — if the U.S. doesn't, the Ticos will. And if it's a U.S.-Mexico final, we already know how it will turn out ... it is at Giants Stadium you know.
John: I'll tune in, and yes ... I'm naturally interested in how well the U.S. can do. But I'll be more interested in the next Gold Cup in 2011 (I think?) since the winner of that tourney will qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. Seriously, what's the point of having a Gold Cup now? What's to gain from winning it?
Then again, just in case there isn't another one in 2011 ... let's win this one and book our place for the dress rehersal in Brazil now.
Robert Burns is the senior editor of FoxSoccer.com and John Juhasz is a fantasy writer for FoxSports.com.
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