Let it not be said that the United States Soccer Federation strives for greatness. Let it not be said any longer that the goal of the U.S. Men's National Team is to become World Champions. The USSF sent a statement loud and clear this week when they decided to retain Bob Bradley as the head coach through the 2014 World Cup: U.S. soccer is okay with being mediocre.
Bradley coached a team that virtually played from behind the entire World Cup this summer. The team was gassed by the end of the Round of 16 match with Ghana from having to press so hard for so long each game. Even reaching the Round of 16 this year was incredible, considering it took a miracle goal from Dempsey versus England (can anyone still believe 'Calamity James' let that in?) and another heart-stopping final second goal from Donovan in the final group stage game to advance.
Bradley was unwise with his selections for the national team, and deserves all of the criticism in the world for his use of Robbie Findley in the World Cup.
Bradley gets credit for the U.S.'s appearance in the 2009 Confederations Cup Final (another ridiculous miracle in and of itself considering what it took in the final group stage games to reach the semifinals). You know what else he needs to get credit for? Getting absolutely EMBARRASSED by Mexico in the last Gold Cup Final. It doesn't matter if it wasn't the starting squad, getting smashed into pieces like that by any country, much less Mexico should be grounds for being fired on the spot.
What has Bradley done to earn his keep another four years? How has he shown himself to be the man to take the U.S. over the top and really, truly compete for a World Championship in 2014? He hasn't. And that's the problem: the USSF is just fine accepting mediocrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment