United States Soccer

Lost tonight to Panama for the first time ever. Also, their first loss in the Gold Cup group stages...EVER.

Is it time for a coaching change?

Where is the outrage? Where is the anger? Why is no one taking it to the streets? Oh, that's right. America doesn't care about soccer. The general public is more concerned with the upcoming labor disputes in the NBA and the NFL, NASCAR, the WSOP and quite frankly, the Westminster Kennel Club Show and Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest.

Originally Posted by Wireman

Lost tonight to Panama for the first time ever. Also, their first loss in the Gold Cup group stages...EVER.

Is it time for a coaching change?

After one of the most successful runs in US soccer history it hurts to see the change and all the growing pains that goes with all the change the national team is going through.

Originally Posted by AverageJoesGym

Where is the outrage? Where is the anger? Why is no one taking it to the streets? Oh, that's right. America doesn't care about soccer. The general public is more concerned with the upcoming labor disputes in the NBA and the NFL, NASCAR, the WSOP and quite frankly, the Westminster Kennel Club Show and Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest.

Some of us do care and if you don't, enjoy your dog show.

I guess I have a few thoughts after last night's debacle...

1) I like Tim Ream but it looks like he's just not ready. He played OK against Canada but they're even more lousy than Panama. Problem is, we are so weak on defense that there's noone I'd like to see brought in instead. For now, keep on playing him and I really think he'll get better.

2) It was interesting to see the USA come out with absolutely zero intensity. It was the exact same thing that happened all last summer with coming out flat and conceding early goals. If the players aren't fired up, at least part of that is on the coach. It's tough to get through more than one World Cup cycle and, for the US, we saw how poorly Bruce Arena fared in his second time around. Most other countries don't go through two cycles with a single coach, either. But...

3) This thing isn't over. Barring an absolute meltdown against Guadeloupe, which is the weakest side in our group, we'll still advance to the knockout stage where anything is possible. They played poor, uninspired soccer last night but I think they've still got the stuff to come out and make it to the final game.

There are a lot of questionable decisions, etc. that seem to come from Bob Bradley. I'm not sure where they go from here. I expect them to win or at least tie against Guadeloupe, but there's no way this team is ready to face Mexico unless something major changes.

Panama? Guadeloupe? No way the United States should lose to those countries in anything except maybe tropical fruit growing.

Originally Posted by Getslow

I guess I have a few thoughts after last night's debacle...

1) I like Tim Ream but it looks like he's just not ready. He played OK against Canada but they're even more lousy than Panama. Problem is, we are so weak on defense that there's noone I'd like to see brought in instead. For now, keep on playing him and I really think he'll get better.

2) It was interesting to see the USA come out with absolutely zero intensity. It was the exact same thing that happened all last summer with coming out flat and conceding early goals. If the players aren't fired up, at least part of that is on the coach. It's tough to get through more than one World Cup cycle and, for the US, we saw how poorly Bruce Arena fared in his second time around. Most other countries don't go through two cycles with a single coach, either. But...

3) This thing isn't over. Barring an absolute meltdown against Guadeloupe, which is the weakest side in our group, we'll still advance to the knockout stage where anything is possible. They played poor, uninspired soccer last night but I think they've still got the stuff to come out and make it to the final game.

They need to find a Left Back and let Ream play w/ Bocanegra in the center. Ream needs experience at this level, and his ability to pass and link play between the defense and the midfield. Granted I don't know much about soccer, but every other country I've watched play has been link up passes much better than the US. They get nothing out of Bocanegra going forward at left back, and even less from their young striking duo. Altidore has had 3 years to prove that he could develop, and he hasn't . Put Dempsey up top off the shoulder of Agudelo or, if you must, Altidore. The two together can't hack it yet.

Clint Dempseym, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan are the only world class players the U.S. has at the moment. Altidore hasn't been impressive for a long time and Agudelo has a ways to go before he is ready to be a star.

There are several folks saying on Twitter that Bob Bradley's job may hinge on tonight's game. In other words, if the U.S. loses, he may be toast.

Originally Posted by Wireman

There are several folks saying on Twitter that Bob Bradley's job may hinge on tonight's game. In other words, if the U.S. loses, he may be toast.

He's gotta be, right? You can't just lose to Guadaloupe and keep your job.

Originally Posted by Zoot Soup

He's gotta be, right? You can't just lose to Guadaloupe and keep your job.

The great debate now becomes: do we cheer for Guadaloupe tonight?

Problem is, who replaces him? Wasn't there a push to get Jurgen Klinsmann?

Originally Posted by Zoot Soup

Problem is, who replaces him? Wasn't there a push to get Jurgen Klinsmann?

I'm not sure who replaces him but I'd like to see someone who can evaluate talent a little better and who makes better in-game decisions/adjustments.

The problem with getting rid of Bradley is that US Soccer Federation is just as much at fault as Bradley is. As much as I love playing Spain, Argentina and the like, how is Bradley supposed to adequately evaluate talent when in every single international break, he's forced to play a "hold the back and try to defend" game plan? Sitting back with 6 in the box then counterattacking is not a good strategy to be known for, but it's what we're forced into with these matches. For every game against Spain, there should be two more against a weaker South American or European side, heck, even a friendly against a CONCACAF nation.

Knowing what little I know, and despite the fact that coaching the U.S. national team should be a desirable job for coaches from around the world, the USSF has some serious growing up to do about the way they handle things for us to progress further. As the federation continues to schedule "money" games instead of games that could be used to evaluate the current player pool and are unwilling to relinquish national team control to a coach, we're not going to get a lot out of a coach.

Its ok guys were American, were supposed to suck at soccer!

Originally Posted by Wireman

Clint Dempseym, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan are the only world class players the U.S. has at the moment. Altidore hasn't been impressive for a long time and Agudelo has a ways to go before he is ready to be a star.

I don't follow soccer but I find it quite depressing that a country the size of the US has only three world class soccer players. How is this possible?

Originally Posted by NEERFAN

I don't follow soccer but I find it quite depressing that a country the size of the US has only three world class soccer players. How is this possible?

They're all in the NFL, NBA and MLB.

Originally Posted by AverageJoesGym

They're all in the NFL, NBA and MLB.

I agree that many of our top athletes take a different path, but with all the youth soccer leagues, Major League Soccer and even minor leagues - the United States has talent, IMO.

As for last night's game, it was another pathetic display. The U.S. could've and should've scored 3-4 goals. They were very, very fortunate on the other end, as well. Guadeloupe hit the crossbar early and had 2-3 other golden opportunities.

The Americans play Jamaica on Sunday and unless something dramatically changes, I'm afraid it will be a disappointing day.

Originally Posted by Wireman

I agree that many of our top athletes take a different path, but with all the youth soccer leagues, Major League Soccer and even minor leagues - the United States has talent, IMO.

It is a totally different socio-economic background that our soccer guys are compared to most of our elite caliber athletes. Not that all of our guys are privileged growing up, but soccer is seen more as a white suburbia sport. Could you image if guys like Revis, LeBron, Paul, etc. grew up playing this sport? I have no doubt we would dominate.