I wish people would stop playing fantasy coach. The USA win had little to do with coaching tactics. What KLinsman seems better at than Bradley is choosing better players to play in postions that they seem to be comfortable in. the USA di not revert to anything but a sound system for their talent level. They were actually athletically superior to Italy and were saved by the fact that Pirlo played the whole game. The USA would have lost if any other midfielder had played instead. If it was Dempseys job to cover Pirlo (which he decided was not necessary to do ) then it was Pirlos job to track Dempsey. We all know that Pirlo has not played defense in years ,so Dempsey was left to roam free. Guess who scored?
I think you’re probably right. I, for one, LIKE that he’s German and uses dual nationals. Not only was Klinsmann my first soccer hero growing up, but I think he’s doing the right things to take the baton from Bob Bradley and take us through the next leg. And as for the “keep America American” nonsense, that’s what America is. Klinsmann lives here by choice, has an American wife and American kids, and knows the American system inside out. He’s hardly some foreign mercenary manager. And as for the players, they’re as American as they want to be. If you choose to represent us out of some affinity or identification, I’m pleased to have you with us. I’m of German descent and I identify with both my German heritage and my American upbringing, so I’m actually proud to see a multi-ethnic team of promising players representing our colors.
Good comments from Klinsmann who seemed to reject the Alexi Lalas conclusion that the team reverted to the old form of bunker, punt and chase to get a win. Yes, circumstances dictated a defending posture in the second half, but Klinsmann reiterated that they would continue to develop a possession attack.
At USSoccer web site, Caleb Porter talks tactics after USA win over Mexico,
Caleb Porter says, we didn’t want to play ‘Lalas’ ball’, because that’s not what we want to do, that’s not how we want to play.
The hang up for some is that he’s German… or that he uses duals… or they want attacking 4-3-3 football every single game, regardless of opponent or venue.
The criticism is one thing if the results and play are poor, but there was none of that in the win at Italy. The criticism now is amateur.
Donovan skipping out of national team games, showing up late. He wouldn’t even speak out publicly in favor of Bradley when asked about his future. You don’t remember all the articles about it?
Remember, Bradley even dropped Donovan from the starting lineup.
Thats exactly wher I have him as the CAM/support striker to Jozy. Have Jones hang back more as a DCM, and Bradley moved closer to Dempsey as the #8. It’s hard to show that here on paper.
Diskerud has shown that he is stronger ont he ball compared to Torres and has the same distribution skills, and I rate the Belgian league higher than the Mexican league. I also rate Corona pretty high, but I think he is better at RF than as a #10.
We played the ball out of the back far better, and once we had the lead, we actually forced Italy to chase us around at times. Think back to our lead at the Azteca during qualifying. We looked like we were going to lose as soon as we were leading! Same with the Brazil game at the Fed Cup. Bob was never able to teach or grasp that the best defense is possession. Admittedly, Italy had the lion’s share late, but there was enough time with us in control of the ball that we were able to hold on.
Bradley Jr. has definitely become a much more well rounded DCM. 6 months in Italy and his skills have improved ten fold. Bring a few of the U-23 players in like Adu, Gyau, Agudelo, Diskerud, and Corona, and this team will definitely be exciting to watch. I would like to see this formation and starting 11 against Brasil
Howard
Chandler, Onyewu, Boca, Johnson
—–Bradley——Jones——-
———–Dempsey——–
Donovan—–Altidore——Adu
Subs: Boyd, Shea, Whitbread, Dolo, Diskerud, Agudelo, Gyau.
BB’s teams never beat Italy – Klinsmann did it with the USMNT on this first attempt. I know it was an ugly game, but beating Italy in Italy is not easy.
Actually it’s well known that some players did not like Bradley. In fact, Donovan and Dempsey pretty much threw him the middle finger near the end of his career.
If you cannot tell the difference between the play on Wednesday and how the team played under Bradley than I’m sorry but you shouldn’t be commenting on football as if you have some idea of what you’re talking about.
Yeah like how the US was able to hold there own in the first 60 minute going probably 50/50 split in possession. Yep Bob did all that. He was grooming these player so that Klinsi can get all the credit.
Actually, Doc, a lot of players did not like playing for Bob in light of Jr.’s seeming favoritism. I’m not saying I agree with that position, just saying that it wasn’t as rosey as you’re suggesting.
Klinsmann is a great coach and an extremely smart person. His presentation at the US Youth Soccer conference in Boston outlined his approach and philosophy. Under that context, you can see the influence he has on the team.
I am not sure that Bob Bradley could have called Arsene Wenger and asked him to take Brek Shea into training as a personal favor.
Doc, nobody is saying anything anything negative about Bradley. While there are certainly Bob haters on this site, the general consensus is that he helped this team accomplish an incredible amount over the years, but that he had reached his ceiling and it was time for a change. As fans we are just trying to stay optimistic about Klinsy. And this one game is one really good reason to hope that things are moving in the right direction.
No wonder men like to play for him. He is thoughtful, purposeful, intentional, positive, etc., while pushing just the right amount to get the maximum effort from his players.
Good plan Coach, good execution USMNT. Keep working, we got the crosshairs on Scotland and Brazil next. Antigua/Barbuda should be a cakewalk by the time we get there.
Great reminder that this victory came with only a few days of prep, and with players key to Klinnsman’s initial plans suddenly unavailable due to injuries. Great coaching.
I wish people would stop playing fantasy coach. The USA win had little to do with coaching tactics. What KLinsman seems better at than Bradley is choosing better players to play in postions that they seem to be comfortable in. the USA di not revert to anything but a sound system for their talent level. They were actually athletically superior to Italy and were saved by the fact that Pirlo played the whole game. The USA would have lost if any other midfielder had played instead. If it was Dempseys job to cover Pirlo (which he decided was not necessary to do ) then it was Pirlos job to track Dempsey. We all know that Pirlo has not played defense in years ,so Dempsey was left to roam free. Guess who scored?
I think you’re probably right. I, for one, LIKE that he’s German and uses dual nationals. Not only was Klinsmann my first soccer hero growing up, but I think he’s doing the right things to take the baton from Bob Bradley and take us through the next leg. And as for the “keep America American” nonsense, that’s what America is. Klinsmann lives here by choice, has an American wife and American kids, and knows the American system inside out. He’s hardly some foreign mercenary manager. And as for the players, they’re as American as they want to be. If you choose to represent us out of some affinity or identification, I’m pleased to have you with us. I’m of German descent and I identify with both my German heritage and my American upbringing, so I’m actually proud to see a multi-ethnic team of promising players representing our colors.
Laughable is insistence of BB supporters that they can’t see a difference between a BB and Klinsmann-coached squad.
Kind of proves the point that some don;t quite get what it takes to move a team to the next level; and some, do.
THIS!!!
Well put, Ricky. Thank you.
most economies in the world are in worse shape than the US’.
especially in the EU
Good comments from Klinsmann who seemed to reject the Alexi Lalas conclusion that the team reverted to the old form of bunker, punt and chase to get a win. Yes, circumstances dictated a defending posture in the second half, but Klinsmann reiterated that they would continue to develop a possession attack.
At USSoccer web site, Caleb Porter talks tactics after USA win over Mexico,
Caleb Porter says, we didn’t want to play ‘Lalas’ ball’, because that’s not what we want to do, that’s not how we want to play.
Serie A has empty seats too. Italian economy is in worse shape than the US.
The hang up for some is that he’s German… or that he uses duals… or they want attacking 4-3-3 football every single game, regardless of opponent or venue.
The criticism is one thing if the results and play are poor, but there was none of that in the win at Italy. The criticism now is amateur.
Well, I doubt he would have put JB in the Gold Cup final.
Well put. Agreed emphatically.
Actually, he beat Italy.
I remember you having some pretty ridiculous things to say in one of the recent Klinsmann threads, as well. What’s your hang up with the guy?
What are you basing the middle finger comment on?
Hmm, I don’t remember it. Regarding him skipping out of national team games… apparently not sure much has changed… perhaps he hates Klinsy too.
Donovan skipping out of national team games, showing up late. He wouldn’t even speak out publicly in favor of Bradley when asked about his future. You don’t remember all the articles about it?
Remember, Bradley even dropped Donovan from the starting lineup.
who wants to watch the US team when you can watch Serie A every week
what would have happened under Bradley was probably epic bunkering followed by a 2 goal loss, even if we scored first.
Gotcha, yeah I agree. Edu put in a strong case to have that spot over Jones though.
lol what?? where are you getting this info from
I think the Scotland game is before the Brasil game. Anyone want to put out a starting line-up for the U.S. against Scotland?
Thats exactly wher I have him as the CAM/support striker to Jozy. Have Jones hang back more as a DCM, and Bradley moved closer to Dempsey as the #8. It’s hard to show that here on paper.
That is a solid group but you want Demps in the staggered forward role, not MF. He has proven (both with Fulham and USMNT) that is where he thrives.
Diskerud has shown that he is stronger ont he ball compared to Torres and has the same distribution skills, and I rate the Belgian league higher than the Mexican league. I also rate Corona pretty high, but I think he is better at RF than as a #10.
We played the ball out of the back far better, and once we had the lead, we actually forced Italy to chase us around at times. Think back to our lead at the Azteca during qualifying. We looked like we were going to lose as soon as we were leading! Same with the Brazil game at the Fed Cup. Bob was never able to teach or grasp that the best defense is possession. Admittedly, Italy had the lion’s share late, but there was enough time with us in control of the ball that we were able to hold on.
Bradley Jr. has definitely become a much more well rounded DCM. 6 months in Italy and his skills have improved ten fold. Bring a few of the U-23 players in like Adu, Gyau, Agudelo, Diskerud, and Corona, and this team will definitely be exciting to watch. I would like to see this formation and starting 11 against Brasil
Howard
Chandler, Onyewu, Boca, Johnson
—–Bradley——Jones——-
———–Dempsey——–
Donovan—–Altidore——Adu
Subs: Boyd, Shea, Whitbread, Dolo, Diskerud, Agudelo, Gyau.
He’s a more subtle player than he was this time last year.
If this really was all of Mikey’s touches and not just the positive ones than damn, he had a really good game.
BB’s teams never beat Italy – Klinsmann did it with the USMNT on this first attempt. I know it was an ugly game, but beating Italy in Italy is not easy.
Just curious and pardon me for my ignorance but you have any evidence of that?
Actually it’s well known that some players did not like Bradley. In fact, Donovan and Dempsey pretty much threw him the middle finger near the end of his career.
If you cannot tell the difference between the play on Wednesday and how the team played under Bradley than I’m sorry but you shouldn’t be commenting on football as if you have some idea of what you’re talking about.
Attendance in Seria A is not that great either…typically empty seats except for the big games.
Yeah like how the US was able to hold there own in the first 60 minute going probably 50/50 split in possession. Yep Bob did all that. He was grooming these player so that Klinsi can get all the credit.
Actually, Doc, a lot of players did not like playing for Bob in light of Jr.’s seeming favoritism. I’m not saying I agree with that position, just saying that it wasn’t as rosey as you’re suggesting.
Bradley is not the coach anymore, get over it.
Klinsmann is a great coach and an extremely smart person. His presentation at the US Youth Soccer conference in Boston outlined his approach and philosophy. Under that context, you can see the influence he has on the team.
I am not sure that Bob Bradley could have called Arsene Wenger and asked him to take Brek Shea into training as a personal favor.
The sequence beginning at 3:56 I think sums it up best.
Awesome. I think what makes Mikey such a great player is his incredible focus and awareness.
Doc, nobody is saying anything anything negative about Bradley. While there are certainly Bob haters on this site, the general consensus is that he helped this team accomplish an incredible amount over the years, but that he had reached his ceiling and it was time for a change. As fans we are just trying to stay optimistic about Klinsy. And this one game is one really good reason to hope that things are moving in the right direction.
Was really hoping somebody would make a Michael Bradley vs. Italy video and the internets came through:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5MjF59i0EE
Love how he does all the little things right. At 2:04 he looks around to see if he has space, and of course the drag back at 4:50.
You do realize that the players loved playing for Bob Bradley, too, right?
Great coaching? That’s just downright laughable.
He didn’t do anything in this game that Bob Bradley hadn’t done in the previous six years.
Just guessing, they are broke.
No wonder men like to play for him. He is thoughtful, purposeful, intentional, positive, etc., while pushing just the right amount to get the maximum effort from his players.
Good plan Coach, good execution USMNT. Keep working, we got the crosshairs on Scotland and Brazil next. Antigua/Barbuda should be a cakewalk by the time we get there.
Why was the stadium so empty for the game?
Great reminder that this victory came with only a few days of prep, and with players key to Klinnsman’s initial plans suddenly unavailable due to injuries. Great coaching.