By RYAN TOLMICH
Once again, it was Michael Bradley that played the role of surgeon for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
In addition to being the USMNT’s main target in the midfield, Bradley provided the assist on the team’s opening goal to help lead the U.S. to a 2-1 comeback win on the road over Germany. Bradley’s strong performance earned him the SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors.
Towards the end of a rough first half, it was a ball from Bradley that changed the complexion of the game. The midfielder’s lofted pass to Mix Diskerud was pinpoint, giving the U.S. an equalizing goal while instilling it with a confidence previously unseen in the match.
From there, Bradley led the way in the second half, taking it to a German side that finally broke with Bobby Wood’s 88th minute game-winner.
Bradley’s impact on the game and ability to play that key pass earned the midfielder SBI USMNT Man of the Match honors ahead of Diskerud, Wood, and John Brooks.
What did you think of Bradley’s performance? Who stood out to you as the USMNT Man of the Match? What other players impressed?
Share your thoughts below.
Makes me sad to watch Bradley play a decent game, then realize that those will be few and far between because of how playing in MLS hurts his form and eliminates any chance of further development. Bradley was so much better when he played in Europe… because. Such a shame. I Look forward to the day when all US soccer fans wake up and demand that MLS be folded so that all promising young playes will be forced to play abroad, far from friends and loved ones, where they will be properly developed. Whose with me?
Whose what is with you?
Playing in MLS has really hurt MB’s development right Jurgen?!!!!!
I played in MLS before it was cool, ya know.
Things I took away from this weeks USMNT games:
1. Klinsmann is clearly a better coach, more than he was this time last year, he’s a little obstinate and sometimes, too sure of himself, but he has progressed and matured as a coach. He still has a tendency to favor players over others, but he is getting better. We needed thidscoach Klinsmann last year at this time.
2. Bradley plays a whole lot better when he is tasked to play a box-to-box midfield role rather than a purely offensive upfront/withdrawn forward type of role. In the WC at Brazil you didn’t see him drop back into the US defensive zone, ever., on purpose. His drop backs to deep midfield were fewer and his pass distribution was not as broad. As a true roaming mid, and not fettered to the front line, he popped up all over to distribute great passes, to a variety of players
3. Has Klinsmann finally given up the idea that Altidore can play a lone center-forward? Let’s hope so.The dual forward, ne, even a three forward formation has paid good dividend against top teams. lets stay there please. Its gives bradley more targets and allows more runs into the box.
4. Let’s play all our friendlies against euro teams in the post season, Low mentioned that he had to get his team away from the pool and on to the pitch after a long season. He was right. The German Team looked gassed at times, walking up the pitch. lax marking and making fewer and fewer runs. When you get tired you lose concentration and the US was fighting (and winning) possession up and down the field. You do not get 30 PASSES and a goal against a fit German team.
5. SPEED KILLS, it also wins soccer games. Klinsmann astutely made three of his subs in the last 15 minutes and two of his fastest players in the second half. fresh young legs against a tired team usually is a good thing. The speed of Zardes in the first half, and Yedlin and Morris in the second half required the German midfield to back track to help cover the back line, giving the US more space to operated and allow Bradley more time and space to distribute accurate passes.
nicely put. agree with most. Jozy should be concerned. Even Clint has to be concerned.
I can’t recall Bradley making the high quality downfield runs he’s made more than a few times the last two games. Taking on defenders, dribbling around to keep control in a tight spot. Not only remarkable for him, but class at a level I don’t think we’ve seen from him before (or, frankly, in his MLS play). His final pass/touch still fails him a bit too often, but he’s also now had a string of high-quality assist also (see: pass to Fabian Johnson in last year’s Turkey game for starters). Can he keep that form through the Gold Cup and beyond? Who knows? But I’m not sure when I’ve last been wowed by a midfield offensive performance from the US before the last two games.
This is a part of his game that was allowed to blossom at TFC. it is something that he would never have been encouraged to do in Italy.
Also, with apologies to Giovinco, Bradley is the leader expected to take the team on his shoulders and carry it to victory at TFC, a role he is beginning to relish for the USMNT.
TFC, not JK so much, deserves a measure of credit for both of those.
Thanks for the insight. It definitely is a new development in his game this year that has added a whole new dimension for him.
tempted to give it to Wood…sweet sweet turn and fire
That was a stunning shot.
I know there are a lot of Michael Bradley detractors (haters) around here. Where are you now? Did he shut you up these last two games? Is that enough to silence you once and for all?
I’m sure you wish he were Mexican don’t you troll?
No GED, no talking to me.
Buddy, that line isn’t any good. I expect better from my personal troll. There are plenty of other people who comment on everything I post on here so you’ll have to step up your game.
I saw this multiple times:
Bradley dribbles down the field… and passes it directly to a German player.
Bradley gets the ball in the box… and blows another chance.
Bradley standing in the middle of the field… and watches another German player dribble right by him.
It is ridiculous how Americans love Michael Bradley when he is such a crap player. Whenever the US wins, people automatically think it’s because of Bradley. So many US players are now way more skilled than Michael Bradley, it’s ridiculous. Please take your goggles off. One thing I love about watching broadcasts in other languages is how much they trash Bradley for having such terrible touch and defensive skills. He played for my team Roma and sucked so hard but Americans though he was lille the star of the team. Michael Bradley is a mediocre MLS player at best. There are tons of other US central midfielders better than him.
And whenever we lose, it’s Jr’s fault.
At least there’s consistency among the fringes.
Who has better technical skill than Bradley? AJ? Probably. FJ/Dempsey? Maybe. Anyone else?
Now, tell me who is better tactically than Bradley? No one (Beckerman is probably the closest).
I’m sorry he didn’t tear up Serie A for “your team,” but he is certainly the best US midfielder and probably best all-around player on the team.
I’d love to hear your response. Honestly, you have intrigued me.
MB bossed the midfield. His positioning was a sight to behold, always at the right spot to receive and make a pass. I know it was only a friendly but all credit to JK and the boys.
MOTM runner up should be JURGEN KLINSMANN. When he scheduled NED and GER a few months ago, many of us (except those who will claim they didn’t, with 20/20 hindsight) worried that this week we might pay for our weaknesses, and feared we would be found out. JK got the squad ready beforehand, selected some hungry talent up top to make their cases, made in-game adjustments and subs that changed the game….what more can you ask of a manager in a friendly away tour?
No, coaches.managers are never MOTM.
Coaches get to tell players what they want and select which players get to play. Beyond that, it is up to the players to perform.
As important as having a plan and selecting players able to carry out that plan are, once the game starts most plans are not followed simply because the other team has some say about how things will go. It is the players who must react to that, not the coaches. (Well in friendlies with lots of subs, the coach can have a second chance to get his selections right so a coach who recognizes his own failure can improve.)
I know these are friendlies and all, especially against teams that are primarily at them end of their domestic seasons and not at all at 100%, but the idea that a US team that isn’t even at it’s “100%” can march into Holland and Germany and come away with such legitimate results (no questionable PKs, no bunker ball) is simply awesome. Simply awesome.
Yeah, can we wrap him in bubble wrap and popcorn until July?
Who doesn’t like that fresh Bradley smell straight out of the box!
nice
No complaints here.
Bradley continuing to prove he’s capable of playing the #10 role. No one else is capable of his distribution in the final third.
Just thinking back to the people that proclaimed JK knew nothing about the game and Bradley was incapable of playing in this role. Too funny.
Yeah I remember around the last World Cup a lot people were saying Bradley should be moved back to his “natural position” in the #6 role.
And why were people saying that? Oh yea, because he was bad in that position during the World Cup. He has obviously improved since then.
Incorrect.
He was in a bad run of form and injured. Let’s not recreate reality – because Bradley continues to display, under JK’s direction, why that argument is false.
I also remember people trying to piggyback Bradley’s comments that he preferred to play a deeper role. Unfortunately, with any good team, you sometimes play out of your comfort zone if it’s for the betterment of the team. Bradley clearly has bought in at this point, people like you should do the same.
Where did I say I don’t think he should play there today? I was simply pointing out the error of revisionist history you guys are doing. The fact that Bradley is better there today doesn’t change the fact that he wasn’t great there back then. Don’t make light of Bradley’s words. He said himself at the time that he didn’t like playing there and that it wasn’t his preferred position. Oh and you call it that “he had a bad run of form”, that’s ok, you can call it whatever you want, but we are basically saying the same thing, which is that Bradley was not good during the World Cup.
Yes, I can call it that because it was exactly that: a bad run of form and injuries.
If you didn’t watch the build up to the World Cup I could understand your response but I know you to be a fairly astute fan and doubt that to be the case.
I’ve addressed Bradley’s comments about his role. I can not provide you further reasoning of why his comments are irrelevant from a team standpoint if you don’t understand it.
However to clarify, providing responses like: Oh yea, because he was bad in that position during the World Cup. indicates you share that opinion, otherwise why repeat an assessment obviously ignores reality.
Seems reality and revisionism have blurred from your perspective. I encourage you to find the archives in the build up to the World Cup on SBI. That all but confirms people on both sides of the debate highlighting Bradley’s poor run of form, and injuries.
…but don’t let me get in the way of you finding the usual narrative that JK has does something wrong or didn’t do something soon enough.
and don’t let any of us point out what actually happened from Klinsmann today regarding MB’s role, which was what? that’s right, move him back next to Beckerman so he’s facing the field, which paid off. nice move Klinsmann
No point in continuing this. Clearly you think Bradley was good in the World Cup, or at least are excusing his form, and I think he was bad. We aren’t going to change each others minds.
Interesting, considering he was advancing the ball regularly into the final third, just as he did against Holland.
This isn’t a FIFA video game. Players aren’t standing around stationary in a 10 yard radius. Roles, and responsibilities can deviate when not defending.
Crazy concept, I know, for us lesser knowledgeable fans that are obviously more knowledgeable than actual managers.
just giving Klinsmann the credit he deserves Old School, no video games included. actually just saw an interview with Stu Holden talking about MBs deployment there. look dude, I don’t want it to get personal here, but Klinsmann does deserve credit for the move, that’s my point, that’s it.
@beachbum:
I give as good as I get. No reason to sugarcoat anything or clarify things aren’t intended to be personal.
I regularly disagree with you and that’s perfectly fine. No apologies needed as I will also not be offering any.
-1
you overgive and look to shout down others to intimidate. I’m giving Klinsmann credit and not intimidated, and hope you get the chance to hear Holden.
please have the last word
I know that lots of people thought Bradley had a bad WC, I was not one of them. He had the highest pass completion percentage on the team, he had the most passes received and made, he was always available for teammates to relieve pressure, he covered more ground than any other player in the WC, mostly getting back to help the defense and to be available for teammates. There was nothing bad about his performance in the WC. What he did not do was provide a lot of offensive impact and that was a shortcoming, but hardly a bad effort.
Please Old School this was a nice win so don’t spoil it by saying ‘continues to develop under JKs direction”
MB always had the ability to run the show like this but he cannot play along with JJ in the midfield.
He developed and continues to develop under one man…his father, who is the only person he listens too when it comes to soccer.
If you’re going to correct me, at least read correctly what I typed.
Display and develop are not the same thing.
But you did say ‘under JKs direction’ which means he gets directives from JK and follows them.
And I am here to tell you that you are wrong.
MB is the consumate professional who holds that team together and produces in spite of JK. The kid has zero respect for Klinsmann so dial it down a little bit on this one.
Never said “develop” or even insinuated as such.
You’re doubling down on a straw man’s argument no one made and throwing around non-sense speculative garbage like Bradley doesn’t respect Klinsmann while calling him the consummate professional.
When you’re ready to make sense, let us know. Please re-read this post before responding to avoid further errors.
Zlatan says he needs to ditch his father and become a man. 😉
So if it doesn’t work the 1st or the 2nd time, we should scrap it.
Luke, nope, not saying that at all. Klinsmann deserves credit for sticking with it and now seeing the results from Bradley.
Where he should get negative credit is deciding to put Bradley in that position so close to the World Cup. He started it in the Mexico game which was only a few games before the World Cup. That is a lot different than the large amount of games in over a calendar year that Bradley has now been able to play in that position.
Basically I think Klinsmann should have started this after the World Cup, not right before it. He caused Bradley to have a bad World Cup and caused Bradley to take lots of criticism.
played back side by side with Beckerman as the holding mid, not in the advanced role seen earlier and tried by Klinsmann to which you appear to refer, but from his more natural position from which he always has gotten forward. good on Klinsmann making that adjustment back to MB’s strength I’d say. Let’s give credit for the correct things I’d also say
beachbum,
Mikey’s best position is box to box midfielder. Given that you could argue that he doesn’t really have a position.
Mikey’s best quality has always been his relentless intensity allied with that great engine he possesses.
Going to Italy did not so much improve his skills ( he already had those) as it improved his discipline, his mentality, which was always his greatest weakness. His first year with the USMNT I kept waiting for the flurry of red cards that I was sure he would earn.
JK is just acting on what BB always knew, that to get the best out of the kid, you eventually had to build a team around him.
I think BB saw JJ , at his peak , a great box to box type in the BL, as a mentor for Mikey. Unfortunately, since they are both basically the same type of player it can be hard to have the two on the field at the same time since both like to be in charge.
In the World Cup I felt that the US was JJ’s team. Now, however, JJ will still be around but this is really Mikey’s team.
Mikey probably represent’s JK’s best coaching/development job as there seems to be little in the way of personal warmth between the two and Mikey is now performing in a role most of you did not think him capable of .
hey GW, thanks for the toughtful reply, but to the contrary, I’ve always liked MB in this role today and he’s bossed midfield before like this for the USMNT even. have to also credit Beckerman and again, Klinsmann for adjusting to MBs strengths and not forcing his weaknesses too high up the pitch. another credit has to go to the USMNT high pressure which creates the space for MB and others higher up the pitch and catches Ds scrambling and giving more space, and the youthful runs and exuberant youthful speed keeping their backline back to create more space for targeting passes
beachbum,
There is a lot of talk from other quarters about how Mikey should have been doing this before but I think it obviously was a building process for the reasons you pointed out.
I first thought he could be this sort of player when I saw a few of his games for BMG.
This team now has a number of younger , speedy players who are pressuring and playing at a tempo that I don’t think the USMNT was capable of, as a team, until just recently.
You saw how Germany’s pressure decreased as they subbed on older, slower warhorses like Podolski and Khedira.
Yedlin, Wood, Morris, Zardes and so on spread the field and give Mikey the kind of targets that he likes to find. Overall, the team has more competent youth and speed than I can ever remember. And now they are developing confidence. That makes them hard for anyone to handle.
they replace the speed threat up top and danger LD represented for so long, and make some nice runs too, and since Dolo left Yedlin is the best wingback getting forward we’ve had imo. on the high press, might be a little different execution with only 3 subs in the Gold Cup but we’ll see, you know? maybe more in spurts.
and MB likes to see the field in front of him and he’s a natural worker defensively so Klinsmann giving him back that comfort is key I think and nice to see
Old School, you and people like you are too funny. You have to live in the moment man. Like I said to Luke, lets take Bradley in the World Cup for example. He was played in that advanced role and he was bad. It was a bad decision by Klinsmann at that time considering other options he could have used. Now here we are today and Bradley has been much better. He has clearly improved. Klinsmann is correct to play him there. But for you guys to point at a game today and use it as a “hah I told you so” moment for decisions made a year ago at the world cup is just silly.
Same for Bobby Wood. He has been great these two games. He looks to have improved which is great. But for people to say “hah, see all you haters” is also ridiculous. A good game today doesn’t erase a bad game a few months ago. The logic some of you guys use is ridiculous at times. Bobby Wood had some bad games in the past and was criticized, deservedly so. Today he has a good game and he should be praised for his efforts.
You have to live in the moment man.
Incorrect. I live in reality
I’m consistent about my praise, observations and comments. Hence, the reason I get randomly called out despite not even commenting in an article thread for having those very types of praise, observation (notably by you).
I’m sure you and the rest of your merry men will continue to find reasons to avoid giving credit, but if you think people should avoiding pointing out your absurdity, you are mistaken.
You feel I make absurd comments and I feel you make absurd comments.
Yes you are consistent alright: Spin anything and everything into a Klinsmann compliment. Attack anything and everything critical of Klinsmann no matter how much good sense it makes.
At least I am flexible and open-minded. I have no problem complimenting Klinsmann when I feel he gets something right, and I do give him his due every so often.
At least I am flexible and open-minded
Riiiiight.
Old School
I am responding to your post to me from above. For what it is worth I worked for US Soccer for 15 years, coached MB on a national team. I can tell you for a fact that he doesn’t respect JK but a know it all like you has all the answers.
I am responding to your post to me from above. For what it is worth I worked for US Soccer for 15 years, coached MB on a national team. I can tell you for a fact that he doesn’t respect JK but a know it all like you has all the answers.
Whatever you say, Sepp.
Good night Old School.
.” A good game today doesn’t erase a bad game a few months ago”
Are you crazy? Sure it does. The idea is to improve..
You are correct in: The idea is to improve.
You are incorrect in: Are you crazy? Sure it does. (in reference to a good game today erasing a bad game in the past)
Those two things are separate from each other. If I play a horrible game 2 months ago and my team loses because of it, but then I play a great game today and my team wins because of it, guess what, that game two months ago still happened. We still lost that game because I was horrible. That moment is time still existed and we all still remember it.
UBG,
An you claim to be concerned with reality? Whatever you say.
GW, I take that response as you conceding my point and having nothing to rebut with. Instead of your pointless response a simple, “yea I see your point” would have sufficed.
You would be wrong.
You don’t have a point so there is nothing to concede.
April 2, 2014, Michael Bradley played this exact position as well if not better against Mexico. His being good in an attacking role is not new at all.
Klinsmann is “correct” to play him there? It was his idea was it not? Correct or not, it has been his conviction, from which he hasn’t strayed.
For my eyes, as a defensive midfielder MB seems complacent, comfortable. As an attacking midfielder he plays with more fire. He needs to be further up the field.
Lets remember that the Mexico game was just one game. That was the first time Bradley was played there by Klinsmann. Lets also remember that the “great game” against Mexico was actually just one great half, because Mexico dominated the second half of that game and tied the score. The game finished a draw.
Klinsmann jumped the gun from seeing just one performance. In the long run (I mean for today) it seems to be working out, but it DEFINITELY DID NOT work out in the short-term, which happened to me at a pretty big event, the World Cup. Bradley’s performance was heavily criticized. Klinsmann hung him out to dry there, and Bradley’s own comments seem to back that up. I’m talking about when he said that he felt that wasn’t his best position and preferred to play deeper.
Look, UBG, you can’t win with these guys. If someone plays badly it’s because they suck and US soccer is terrible. And if he plays well it’s because of JK the genius.
And they aren’t happy because the US won today, they’re happy because they can come here and stick to people who questioned their hero. He’s a JK fan, not a US fan.
+100
I’ve never seen people develop such love for a manager. Usually its the players that are praised/loved/hated not a manager (with college football/basketball being the exception).
Then why is there so much hate for JK around here? I have a feeling that most of the JK praise is simply to balance out the ridiculous amount of vitriol spewed in his direction incessantly.
I’d appreciate if an admitted xenophobe not speak for me or about my support of the US.
When did I admit to being a xenophobe? Oh that’s right I didn’t – people who disagree with me have to resort to lying about me. Pretty sad.
I was gonna say something to you, but I forgot.