Bob Bradley's contract extended 5 years through 2014 World Cup

[WMR]

Saw this on ESPN the other day...

I'll admit this news really bummed me out. Was really looking forward to some fresh ideas and tactics...

Not sure I can think of a single coach whose 2nd cycle has surpassed the first and I'm certainly not optimistic about BB's chances to buck that trend.

[Yachtzee]

I was thinking it would have been nice to see a fresh face in there, but my concern would be that the federation would hire either more concerned about winning now or an MLS coach in over his head. While I'm not always happy with some of his lineup choices, he's been good for the development of the program. I could still see him leaving early if the right opportunity opens up overseas.

[Hoosier Red]

I share WMR's concerns about Bradley's second term. I was as big of a supporter of him as you'll find, but a second four year term is a lot to throw on his plate.

To be honest a lot of the other names mentioned didn't exactly inspire a lot of excitement either, I know just like in 2006 therer were many a heart a twitter for Jurgen Klinsmann but the fact that he hasn't coached since the WC in 2006(aside from a brief spell with Bayern Munich) and this makes me wonder if his heart would fully be into it.

Four years is a long committment from any coach, and it's it's possible if people are upset with Bradley after say the first two years, that he could be replaced by someone like Klinsmann.

[ThornWithin81]

I disagree with this move. We need to do - and can do - better.

[reds1869]

Not a good move by the USSF. Can it end well? Sure. Will it? Probably not.

[bucksfan2]

I kinda like it. I don't really follow international soccer all that much but I thought Bradley did a pretty good job. I wanted to see what he could do with another 4 years. Its unfortunate, and injuries happen to every team, but in a team like the USA with such a limited margin for error it really hurt them to lose Charlie Davies and also have a less than 100% Gooch. With another 4 years the soccer talent in this country should get deeper and more competitive, it will be interesting to see what Bradley can do with it.

[WMR]

I kinda like it. I don't really follow international soccer all that much but I thought Bradley did a pretty good job. I wanted to see what he could do with another 4 years. Its unfortunate, and injuries happen to every team, but in a team like the USA with such a limited margin for error it really hurt them to lose Charlie Davies and also have a less than 100% Gooch. With another 4 years the soccer talent in this country should get deeper and more competitive, it will be interesting to see what Bradley can do with it.

Pretty much everyone I know who DOES follow international soccer is very dismayed at this news...

here's a pretty interesting thread from big soccer... a few knuckleheads, but also some very, very good explanations of why this move is being panned by most of the US Soccer community.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1530981

[bucksfan2]

Pretty much everyone I know who DOES follow international soccer is very dismayed at this news...

here's a pretty interesting thread from big soccer... a few knuckleheads, but also some very, very good explanations of why this move is being panned by most of the US Soccer community.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1530981

I don't know. It seems like a lot of the displeasure is based upon not getting Klensman as the coach. IIRC he didn't want the job 4 years ago and didn't really want it now.

[Yachtzee]

I don't know. It seems like a lot of the displeasure is based upon not getting Klensman as the coach. IIRC he didn't want the job 4 years ago and didn't really want it now.

Yep. I think if Klinsman wanted the job, it was his. I don't like the idea of the USSF begging and pleading with someone to coach the team. I'd much rather they get someone willing to come in with the desire to take the team to the next level rather than someone who might be looking for an exit strategy if things don't go well at the start.

I honestly don't expect Bradley to be with the team through the end of this contract. I see him leaving by about 2012, either for another job, or because the USSF decides to go with someone else.

[WMR]

Yep. I think if Klinsman wanted the job, it was his. I don't like the idea of the USSF begging and pleading with someone to coach the team. I'd much rather they get someone willing to come in with the desire to take the team to the next level rather than someone who might be looking for an exit strategy if things don't go well at the start.

I honestly don't expect Bradley to be with the team through the end of this contract. I see him leaving by about 2012, either for another job, or because the USSF decides to go with someone else.

It wouldn't take any begging and pleading...

just one of the richest soccer federations in the world opening the pocket book to bring in an elite international coach. :shrug:

It all just reeks of amateur hour. Don't forget, Sunil is an academic... but then again, he's merely a reflection of the ass-backwards way the USSF is run, from the top levels on down.

[GIDP]

I dont know enough about him honestly. I know I like the way his son plays ball though.

[NJReds]

I'm not crazy about this, either. Not sure there were a lot of options, though. Big Bill has to find some young talent on the backline. He's got time and security to do so.

[MWM]

Sure, coaching in an actual game isn't as big an issue (although desicions such as to start Ricardo Clarke can have a major impact on a game). The issue is in the training of the team over the next 4 years. It's about the style of play, the skills that are developed. The coaching decision is much more about the years between cups than it is about the cup itself.

[bucksfan2]

Sure, coaching in an actual game isn't as big an issue (although desicions such as to start Ricardo Clarke can have a major impact on a game). The issue is in the training of the team over the next 4 years. It's about the style of play, the skills that are developed. The coaching decision is much more about the years between cups than it is about the cup itself.

Could you imagine Drew Stubbs and Chris Johnson as strikers? D Wade, John Wall, and Carl Crawfod as middle fielders, LeBron James, Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis as defenders?

I agree that it is about the 4 years of development and developing skill that leads to a successful World Cup. But lets not ignore the fact that America's best athletes don't play soccer. Lets not ignore that Bradley played Findlay in the WC because he felt the team needed top line speed. You can get the greatest tactician as a coach but it really wont matter unless the level of player keeps getting better. IMO the American talent pool is getting better and I want to see what Bradley can do with that talent.

[Hoosier Red]

Could you imagine Drew Stubbs and Chris Johnson as strikers? D Wade, John Wall, and Carl Crawfod as middle fielders, LeBron James, Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis as defenders?

I agree that it is about the 4 years of development and developing skill that leads to a successful World Cup. But lets not ignore the fact that America's best athletes don't play soccer. Lets not ignore that Bradley played Findlay in the WC because he felt the team needed top line speed. You can get the greatest tactician as a coach but it really wont matter unless the level of player keeps getting better. IMO the American talent pool is getting better and I want to see what Bradley can do with that talent.

The physical skills of the United States teams are superior to most of the foreign squads. It's the technical skills they lack.

When the United States was playing well in the confederations cup it was because they were physically faster than many of their Spanish counterparts and they could in fact run forever.

What has gotten them in trouble are when teams are able to do things much faster because the technical abilities are so superior. Think of Kurt Warner throwing to a spot on the field where he knows the receiver will be. The United States is comparatively like a high school football team that has the receiver turn around after 5 yards, wait and then the quarterback throws it.

Now maybe if LeBron and Calvin Johnson and Darrell Revis all played soccer, their physical skills would be even more impressive, and because they were even more physically superior to their opponents the lack of technical skill wouldn't matter. But it's not that the United States players are less missing anything athletically to Ghana or England, it's the technical skill because our 6 and 7 year old Landon Donovans are being coached by the parent who has the most weekends free.