If any of you out there (if there is any) ever questioned my self proclaimed likeness to the omnipotent one of the Star Wars Episodes, hopefully I have taken a step to answering those questions. Previously posted, I called out the head coach of the US Men's National Soccer Team Bob Bradley. I questioned his roster and game strategy moves. Even making reference to the fact that he may have lost his mind. Well, after his team's performance Wed. night against Trinidad & Tabago, it appears he may be taking his medication.
With Altidore and Ching playing up front, and an interesting twist added to the 4-4-2 at midfield, the US exploded against T&T in their World Cup Qualifying match in Nashville last night winning 3-0. Missing from the line-up, Pearce and Kljestan. The only other player that I said in my previous post that had no business playing was Michael Bradley. Which his performance supported my claim that dude blows a fat cock.
The twist at center midfield was stacking Bradley and Mastroeni, with Bradley playing up front as an attacking midfielder and Mastroeni playing back in defense. This, strategically, worked very well. However, with Mastroeni's age, this may be more effective with Adu or Edu playing up front and Bradley playing back. This may take away some of the temptations for Bradley to take distant shots and miss poorly. I mean, there was a time last night where he drilled Donovan with a shot that would have been 15 yds wide if it had not hit something.
John Harkes stated that Donovan and Beasley had been playing together for so long that they had great feel of what each other was going to do. Well, anyone who watched the U-21 World Cup would know that Adu and Altidore are developing the same type chemistry. This is why it is impairitive that Adu gets on the field. But for some reason, Bradley won't play Adu over his son.
The 19-year old Altidore was responsible for all 3 American goals, with Donovan helping out with all 3 assists. This gives Altidore 4 goals in 120 minutes of action in World Cup qualifying, making him the youngest player to ever score a goal and a hat trick in WC qualifying in US history. I would hope this would secure him a spot in the starting line-up because dude is one of the few pure finishers that the US squad has. His second goal is proof positive of this as he side stepped a defender, putting him flat on his back, and blasted a shot past Ince.
The American's next game is June 3rd against Costa Rica. Let's see what Bradley has in store for us... More genius or more insanity.... there is a fine line.
Bradley Sr. is hitting his coaching stride. There is unbridled evil genius behind those beady little eyes, and he is just learning that accepting his darkside is the key to success on the field.
ReplyDeleteAltidore is a ruthless striker gaining confidence. As long as his supporting cast can continue to feed him opportunities he will become automatic in his finishes.
Our respectful disagreement is on Bradley, Jr. The wide angle of TV soccer viewing can be misleading: Only when they zoom for action shots of Bradley can you see that he has easily the quickest feet and reaction times of anyone on the team. Fast, no, but the dude is lightning quick in change of direction. Some of his decisions are a bit ambitious (including shot selection), but there is a sense of European Football Creativity in them that I have always believed the rest of the American side lacks at times. Finally, have to admit I like that he is a little nasty and dirty. It gets him in trouble at times but a bit of his Dad's evil on the field can be a good thing.