Bob Bradley has plenty to do in the coming weeks and months, between selecting his 23-man World Cup roster and plotting the course for that team to get ready for the tournament. Those preparations continue tonight with the United States' friendly vs. El Salvador in Tampa.
Bradley spoke on Tuesday about a variety of topics, including the U.S. team's upcoming friendlies and the progress of two of the team's top fullbacks, Jonathan Bornstein and Jonathan Spector.
"Czech Republic and Turkey are good opponents with some similarities with teams that we’ll play, with players that we’ll play against," Bradley said of the national team's opponents for friendlies in May.
"It gives us an opportunity to have two games in the U.S., and then when we get to South Africa we’ll see if there’s another possibility for us.
“Whether it’s closed door, whether its open, how we do that is not clear, but I think the hope for sure is that we’ll be able to get there, have a few days to get acclimatized and then get a good dry run in there before we play England."
Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl is reporting that Australia is an option being considered for the friendly/scrimmage in South Africa. In 2006, the United States played Angola in a pre-World Cup scrimmage in Germany.
Bradley also discussed the recent form of left back Jonathan Bornstein, who he believes has shown steady improvement in recent months.
“It’s been a good stretch there," Bradley said of Bornstein's recent form. "If you look at his career, that first year everything went great, but then sometimes the second year there’s little details that you have to go back and cover. I think he’s matured a lot and he has shown that he gets in difficult games and he competes well.
"Athletically he’s quick, for his size he’s good in the air, so you always know when Jonny’s on the field he’s going to give you everything he has."
Another fullback Bradley discussed is Jonathan Spector. A regular at right back for the national team, Spector has seen a recent successful run at left back for West Ham, a development that adds more versatility to a defender who figures to play a key role for the United States at the World Cup.
"He’s comfortable on both sides," Bradley said. " Obviously one of the things that he’s been able to do when he plays right back is, he’s not so much a guy who delivers crosses by getting very deep, but when he’s a little bit back more he has played some very good balls in, (like) the ball that Clint scored, both against Egypt and Brazil (in the Confederations Cup).
"That’s a little bit different from the other side of the field. I think that’s not as much a factor, but the comfort level is there. When we talked about games that I saw, I saw West Ham play Blackburn. I thought on the field, in terms of his positioning and his passing from the left side, he did well. "He’s still enough of a two-footed player that when he has to play with his left he can.
"It’s great that he’s been playing and its nice that we’ve got the versatility, and then you can add in that we used him in both matches in November as a centerback so I think those things are really helpful."
Bradley hasn't had much free time this year. He ran the U.S. team's January training camp before embarking on a trip to Europe to watch and meet with several of the national team's top players.
"You don’t have that much time before we’re all together in May so it was good to sit and talk," Bradley said. "It was a lot of the veteran players. It was Jay DeMerit, Clint Dempsey, Jonathan Spector, Timmy Howard and Landon, so it was a really good chance to sit with those guys, talk about some of the things we’ve been through together and make sure that we’re ready to go."
Bradley also addressed the possibility of facing Argentina in a friendly in the near future after word surfaced that the South Americans were set to play a series of friendlies in the United States. He stated that he wouldn't mind facing Argentina again, and pointed to the strength of the national team's schedule during the current World Cup cycle.
"Everyone knows that I don’t specifically make the schedule but I’m part of the process, and in the last cycle you look at the games that we’ve been able to play and the type of opponents," Bradley said. "We’ve played Argentina twice in that period of time. Now we’ve played Brazil a good number of times, so these kind of games help us.
"I think the improvement in our team and our growth, our readiness for Confederations Cup and the final round of (World Cup) qualifying had a lot to do with the type of schedule that we’ve played over the last few years."
Agreed on all counts. And I say this wanting him to be successful. I’ve always supported the National Team but we’ve come to a time where it’s not good enough to just show up at the World Cup. A lot of our players are getting better, but the Bornstein and the Wynne’s of the US pool are not technically strong enough.
You know, I will have to agree with you and say I was wrong. Watching it over again the assignments were blown.
The point I was trying to make was that every time I see him play there is something critical that comes up and bites him in the ass. Remember the NON “own goal” against Italy in the Confederations Cup? It was blown for offsides or something… however, he still played the ball the way he did.
I just think having him on the field could create issues up against some of the slick players at the World Cup. Walcott would torch him (but then lose the ball anyway), Joe Cole could dance around him, he would hold his own against Beckham, and if Glenn Johnson is bombing in from the right as well, he’s toast.
I also think Algeria is going to give our whole team fits with their technical skill on the ball.
USA wins 3-1 tonight…
Why wasn’t Bradley questioned on his roster choices and cuts?
I couldn’t agree with you more. Go back and watch the confederation cup matches. Bornstein gets turned inside out over and over again. He is slightly better defensively than marvel wynne, but is essentially the exact same make and model ( inability to defend but can run fast to make up for it). Bornstein is also very bad in possession. Watch a game and see how many times he loses possession by putting in a horrible cross or puts in a good cross when no one on the field is in a position to take advantage of it.
He is definitely not a good player for us and is probably the weakest of the starting eleven besides maybe jozy (hopefully not because of his recent playing time). I am just not convinced Bornstein is the answer.
It appears from the comments that Spector was marking Rooney and Valencia at the same time.
Great video of US-CRC, and I am not a Bornstein fan, but I think you’re wrong about blaming Bornstein for the second CRC goal. If you watch the video, as the throw-in comes, he had to stay back to “mark” the other player (the one who didn’t get a touch, but was making a run closer to Bornstein) — when it became clear that the eventual goalscorer gets the ball, Bornstein was unable to stop him. The “correct” defending assignment would’ve been for the centerback to take that man, and for the right back to take the guy that the CB was marking. The right back was ABSOLUTELY ball-watching, and the defensive assgignments did not shift as they should have. Blaming Bornstein for the goal is not right.
THAT is a GREAT question, and a really good idea.
How about it, Ives?
I think the point is that Spector will play right back for us and Bornstein is good enough to play on the left, not that Bornstein is necessarily a better choice on the left. If we put Spector at LB then who plays RB? Is that person a better option than Spector at RB and Bornstein at LB?
I think the more accurate criticism could be that other players aren’t getting as much of a chance to surpass Bornstein at LB.
Right on–it’s so obvious I don’t know what it will take for Bradley to get it. Maybe when Bornstein gets burned by Lennon or Walcott or anyone playing on the right side for England (except Beckham). And Bradley’s notion that you lose something with Spector on the left instead of the right cannot be used as an argument for Bornstein–its not like Bornstein is this attacking threat who plays great balls out of the back. Spector on the left is better in every way except he’s not as fast. But if we are looking for fast outside backs Marvell Wynne should start.
I do have to give Bob credit for having the US play some tough teams over the past few years. They have scheduled top teams consistently and I think he’s right that they’ve improved because of it.
A Mathis jersey is more than okay.
Yep – I’ve actually followed Bornstein and been a fan of his since his rookie year at Chivas. Sure he sometimes merits criticism, but seems like a lot of people on here just try hard to find and single out any mistakes he ever makes. Nobody says he’s world class, but he’s certainly a very solid option at LB for us
Eff the Nat’l Team….get the CBA figured out.
No Simek BB…Jerk
So because Bornstein put in a header to claim top place in a TIE game at home to Costa Rica, he’s your hero?
Why don’t you go back and look at the game to see how he was caught ball watching on the second Costa Rica goal…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krnTfNmw3io
How about this defending?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyo6T8N_8LY
He’s not good enough, period. I’m sure he’s a nice guy and can run fast, but it’s time the US team stopped being the team that ran fast. He can’t cross, he makes stupid errors in big games.
For starters, the President of US Soccer Federation doesn’t even get a penny in salary and it’s a voluntary position.
Secondly, I simply meant that compared to other soccer fanatic nations, US has a smaller budget. Did I mention anywhere that USMNT is poor and penniless?
I still remember back in late 90’s or early this decade, USMNT players and US Soccer federation couldn’t agree on new terms for player appearnance fees and bonuses for playing on the national team. Ives can confirm this but there were many articles saying that they were in danger of going on a strike, mainly because the national players at the time wanted to make sure that future generation of players did not go through what they had to go through in terms of appearance fees and etc.
Who cares? Those are single games. Demerit overall has still played a solid season for Watford. Same for Spector. Bocanegra has had a down year, but he plays out of position at LB and in a pretty good league. Bradley has had an up and down year but he also plays in a strong league and is a regular at the age of 22. Altidore scored a goal in his previous league game before that. I think form should be judged on a series of games that span over several weeks not just one game.
Bradley plays every game, picking one to highlight is silly.
Bob knows Spector isnt fit for LB becasue he is easy to beat when you run at him.
form is not what you do in a single game…
What do you consider a small budget? USSF was willing to pay Klinnsmann a decent salary to come here, the main reason that stopped those dicussions wasn’t the money but he wanted total control of the youth setup and stuff like that.
The USSF makes good money, enough to pick up the salaries of a few players that make around $120,000 a year in MLS. But I don’t see any reason for them to, they shouldn’t get in between the MLS labor issues.
FCD got better w/o him… Cooper is more skillful, but is less productive and hasnt helped the players around him like the bull in the china shop does (not a fan of Casey, but he serves a purpose; Ching is done on the national level)
Cooper does stink. But who on an MLS team, outside Landon Donovan will make an impact of any kind? Robbie Rogers? Borstein? My point is that they should not be considered in the starting eleven and therefore can be replaced by anyone in Europe.
where is this info? I got my tickets on Monday thanks to a Union season-tix holder presale. Is it just word of mouth?
agreed, i wasnt a big fan a year or so ago but he is our best left defender (Spector included, Spectors lack of speed I just dont like on the left side)
I generally agree with your comments. I think he’s the perfect assistant manager. He understands how to communicate to the players- the one thing I always hear them say in interviews is “Bob lets you know exactly what you need to do to earn a spot on the team.” But where I think he is lacking is in tactical awareness, game management, and specific talent evaluation. What I mean is- yes all of these guys at this level have skill, and are good. But what skills do you need from each position? Who can best give you those skills? I think he gets caught up in “Sacha has general football skill and has preformed in the past” and can’t to “he brings nothing to the table that I can’t already get from others- let’s look at someone with better possession of the ball”
lol @ logic
no, if players strike, they cannot play in any FIFA recognized professional league, since MLS owns their contractual rights.
Kenny Cooper is a million times better than Conor Casey or Brian Ching!
You have got to be kidding me about Bornstein! He is trying to set up Bornstein as his left back and play down Spector. Bradley is blinded by his allegence to “his guys” the very thing that got his predecessor canned.
Bob listen to me, Bornstein can’t cut it yet at this level! Have you not seen enough? He is good enough to make the squad sure but that is all. You have given this kid every chance to fail and he has repeatedly when he plays top level talent. This is not the Gold Cup we are talking about this is the WORLD CUP!
Let me get this straight, you are telling me that a guy who has been consistently starting at left back in the Prem – the world’s most competitive league is not a better option than a guy starting at an MLS club who hasn’t even had a serious European offer?
This guy better pull his head out of his lower extremeties before it is too late.
You think sporting my old Clint Mathis USMNT jersey is still okay, or is it time to buy a new one? 😀
Why? Bornstein was the only guy who looked like he even belonged on the field against Honduras, except for Goodson, and if not for Bornstein putting home a clutch, nice header against CR, we would have finished 2nd in CONCACAF qualifying.
It bothers me when guys make baseless criticisms of players.
hate to say but the bigger problem now is not injuries or lack of depth but the poor form of many first team players. But for Donovan and Howard, there were nothing but less-than-stellar performances, particularly by USA defenders, in the last week in Europe. Let’s just look at likely starters:
* Demerit gave up an injury time PK that cost Watford two points.
* Spector was schooled by Man U winger Valencia, who beat Spector to put in two crosses for Rooney goals.
* Bocanegra, already in and out of the Rennes lineup, had a horrid game and was subbed at half.
* Michael Bradley flubbed scoring chances and got the lowest rating of any player on the field from Kicker (5).
* Altidore was a 2nd half sub and could do little in that time.
They represent five starters vs. Spain and Brazil in the Confed Cup. (Four others — Dempsey, Davies, Clark and Onyewu were out injured). I hope they can return to the good form they had shown for their clubs in previous games.
Wear red. US fans have been trying to get everyone to wear red.
Vomiting about his Bornstein comments…
Yep – My little guy and I are there! Section 102 (midfield).
What about a WHITE-OUT ala Penn State?
Oh, I was simply pointing out a concern that if there really is a strike for a prolonged time, and USMNT needs to bring in players together for a camp (for the purpose of keeping players in shape), how much is in their contingency budget to pay the players in the camp, along with other expenses.
dude, cooper stinks, but the rest of your argument yea, maybe. Johnson is still inconsistent so I would rather see findley get a chance, but who says we need any of them, all are guys are so versitaile but injuries do happen, so say we go with your idea and take no one from MLS other than the two you named who else goes.
You do realize that this is not a FIFA date right? Besides he hasn’t named a roster for the netherlands, or any of the other games so just wait and see.
7:00 PM ET on ESPN Classic and Galavision
I think if their is a strike the national team guys will stay in a camp which would be good for them sort of. But I still don’t think in anyway it helps them for this world cup, unless someone else gets injured, training day in and day out isn’t like playing a real game. My thoughts are, I just have a hard time believing their will be a strike, because of the financial implications it will leave for guys, that just can’t afford it. I think out of this camp 5 guys make it, borenstein, marshall, gooodson, ching and wild card Findley. I don’t see robbie making it he is to inconsistant, and I think a snub could do wonders for him, sasha, and freddy, guys who have been in and out of the picture but they have not matured enough to not take plays off, to not sulk, and to go out their and get the job done.
what?
Anyone else buy the tickets to USA vs Turkey at Philly on May 29th this morning?
Hey what channel/time is the game on, thanks.
If the MLS strikes, the players should be SOL! But who are we seriously going to miss from the starting eleven? The bench could and should be made up of the guys who play in the ‘minor’ leagues of Europe and/or don’t get p.t. Are the U.S worse off with Johnson and Cooper than Finley and Casey/Ching? I think not. Same goes in the midfield. Maybe not in the back.
no they can’t they are still under contract, they can play wherever if the league folds and they are released from their contracts or they individually buy their contracts out. Its like portsmouth the players their no they are getting sold next year and the rest of the season is worth nothing, they can’t just up and go somewhere becuase they are under contract.
If that happens, USMNT will do something to keep the players in shape. But USMNT has such a small budget. I am not sure if there’s enough money in the budget to pay the players and etc.
I’ll say this for bradley, and I have been critical of him in the past, but he is an excellent manager in the department of communicating with his players and forming team chemistry. I can’t speak intelligently about other managers and what they do or don’t do, but I like a manager that makes visits to his foreign based players to make sure things are clear and n the same page. Yes, I think we lack tactical sophistication at times, but we are always organized and hard to break down, which is good coaching. I’m happy with the job BB has done generally. I he the future? No. But he has performed to his ability.
What about Castillo? Is he going to get a chance? I hate the fact that he already knows what he has in Bornstein and yet won’t use the option to get to know others. No sacha please….he is done.
IF MLS strikes I think the players are allowed to play where ever they want until the strike is resolved. I would imagine some MLS players would play in the USL/NASL league but I don’t know about the national team prospects. There isn’t another league good enough in North America except Mexico for them to spend time in and the question would be why would Mexican clubs want to help out the USMNT and the many of the potential MLS players that are in MLS don’t have the skills Mexican clubs want. So I don’t know what happens, they might be screwed. But it looks like only 4 or 5 players at most will be from MLS on the team, so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
If MLS stikes, can Bradley hold the players that are in Tampa together and schedule additional friendlies to keep this contingent sharper for the World Cup?
Hope we get to the knockout stages. Boy do I hope…