Michael Bradley: The Future of US Soccer

What do all the great teams have in common? A midfielder that can just dominate the game. Xavi, Kaka, Lampard, Ballack, Fabergas, take your pick, all are dominant midfielders. They are the glue of any team. But the US has never had that dominant center mid like those guys. But in 2014, they might, and his name is Michael Bradley.

This kid is just all upside. He's 22, he's tenacious, he's excellent at timing his runs forward, and he can finish. He also can make great recovery runs getting back on D. He can go box-to-box with the best of them. This kid will be the star of the 2014 World Cup team. He clearly has greatness in his future.

He plays over in the Bundesliga for Borussia Mönchengladbach and is playing very well. Odd, a US guy having success in Europe while he's young enough to be groomed. Hopefully he'll sign with a premier league squad in his near future to further improve his game, but Bundesliga is a good fit for Bradley. But at age 22, the fact he's over in Europe speaks volumes to this guys potential and talent.

Bradley is workhouse, his skill set is raw, and needs a little bit of grooming, but the talent is there. The area he needs to improve most is his smarts, sometimes he's over aggressive and gets silly fouls and stupid cards. But this WC saw no bookings for Bradley, so he's already making strides in this area.

Michael Bradley will be the star center mid that the US so desperately needs to compete with the likes of Germany, Brazil, Spain, and all those guys. Because a dominant, game controlling center mid goes a long way.

A look Back at the USA World Cup Run

Well, the run is done, no more World Cup for team USA until 2014, not counting qualifying which starts in 2012. But either way, the 2010 World Cup is over for team USA, and even though it was a success, a bitter taste is left in everyone's mouth.

First off, the US met expectations. They got out of group play like they were supposed to. They made it interesting, but they did it. Tying England was a huge victory for the US, and the comeback verse Slovenia will go down as one of the best comebacks in world cup history, (if a certain ref didn't blow it, it'd be even bigger.) And the thrilling win over Algeria will go down as one of the top games in US history. There is a lot of positive in this World Cup for team USA; Donavon and Clint shined, Bradley looks like a future star, and the US won it's group for the first time in 80 years.

And yet, US fans are left bitter and disappointed. Why? Because there was potential for an even greater World Cup. The US had the most favorable draw to the semis imaginable, and it lost in the first game to Ghana, ranked 32nd and missing star Michael Essien. Not only did they lose, but they conceded early goals. First 5 minutes of the match then the first 3 minutes of extra time. It was a heartbreaking and disappointing defeat for the Americans.

What makes this loss even more upsetting is that this is the best the team will be for a while. Sure Davies was out and Gooch struggled, but in 4 years, things will be way different. Boca, Howard, and Cherundolo are now 30+, Donavon, Dempsey, and Onyewu will be 30+ in 4 years. This was the best US team in a long time, if not of all time. But they failed to meet their potential.

Overall, the 2010 World Cup was a success in the same way that passing a test is a success. Sure you passed, but you didn't get that A you were shooitin for and probably should have gotten. We'll see what happens in four years...

National Pride, or Lack Thereof.

I got a bone to pick with you people. It's a matter of national pride here. So the United States was in this thing called the World Cup, right? Pretty big deal. But since it's soccer, many of you folks flat out don't care. Granted none of you will actually read this, but I'm still calling you out. I can handle people not caring, I know, soccer is boring to those that don't love it or have played it. I'm not forcing you to watch it, nor am I asking you to. But what I am asking, is that you at least pretend like you have national pride. Whatever happened to being proud of being an American? What happened supporting your nation in athletic competition? It disgusts me some of the things I've read on Facebook and Twitter, and you people should show some national pride.

Okay, so you don't like soccer, fine. But when you people start ragging on the people that do, I got issues. Reading statuses (stati?) that say things like "Now that the US is out, you can all stop pretending to like soccer," "I'm tired of all these World Cup statuses, the US sucks get over it," and "Sweet US is out, we can all stop pretending to care." just piss me off. Okay I get it, you hate soccer, but what about America? If you don't like soccer, either leave the issue alone or say "Too bad the US is out..." something along those lines is acceptable. I've had many a people tell me "Oh who cares about US soccer" and to those I always respond, you should. This is global competition, not the MLS. This is our country's players, the least you could do is support their efforts. Some people don't care for the Olympics, but they don't celebrate when the US doesn't win the gold. Why celebrate our exit of the world cup, it makes me sick.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but it does dishearten me to see people happy that the US is out of the World Cup. I can understand you not giving a damn about soccer or US soccer, but calling out those who do when your country's team loses is below the belt. You can not watch it for all I care, but all I ask is that you root for them. You hope they go far, for national pride. I guess that's too much to ask these days...

Show some national pride people, I'm tired of so many people not supporting the country, whether it's the troops or our nation's teams, the least you can do is support them, they've earned that much at least.

USA's 2010 World Cup

For the United States, the 2010 Fifa World Cup has come to a disappointing close. Coming in, this is where most of us would have put the US, losing in the round of 16, except to Germany, not to Ghana. Getting to this point is a success, but the loss to Ghana is upsetting, especially considering we had the easiest road to the semifinals possible. The loss to the 32nd ranked team in the world is cut and dry a disappointment, no ifs ands or buts about it. But despite the loss, this WC has been a success for the good ol Stars and Stripes.

It was an exciting World Cup, my least favorite part about it is the fact that my team, the US, usually plays so few games, but they gave me and everyone their moneys worth with four of the most exciting games of soccer I have ever watched. It's time for the Bearded Fellow to give out his Quad-Annual (that's once every four years, not four times a year.) World Cup Awards: USA Edition.

Most Valuable Player: Landon Donavon.
The best player in US soccer history finally decided to earn that title in the stage that mattered most; the World Cup. He did it all for the US; good runs, good passes, and great finishes, Landon led this team to it's group win with his impressive top-shelfer to start things against Slovenia to his clean up goal in the 91st to give the US the 1-0 win it needed to advance. He's 27, so one more isn't out of the question, but he probably will not be at his top form.
Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey

Most Surprising: Maurice Edu.
This one is a tough one to hand out, but I gotta give it Edu for the way he played in his three appearances. He had a "goal" against Slovenia and played very solid in the midfield alongside Michael Bradley. He gets the surprise award because he was coming off of a serious knee injury, many questioned whether he was going to make the 23-man team. Made it he did, and he was the best of the three mids that played in that spot (Ricardo Clark and Jose Torres.) He was very good on the ball, making good decisions and good passes.
Honorable Mention: Michael Bradley

The "Where the hell were you???" Award: Jozy Altidore
With the exception of a few plays where he showed his strength on the ball, Jozy was completely non-existent. He made one good play, the header that led to Bradley's goal against Slovenia, and that was it from Jozy. The guy who led the US in scoring during qualifying, barely even sniffed the net during the World Cup. He was a complete no show. Luckily for US soccer fans, the kid is 20, he'll be around for a few more of these. He'll be back an improved and more experienced striker, one the US desperately needs.
Honorable Mention: The entire US defense except Bocanegra and Cherundolo

Least Valuable Player(s) Award: The Entire Defense except Bocanegra and Cherundolo.
I have to throw in the except here, because these two guys were solid. Carlos made one, albeit crucial, mistake against Ghana, but other than that he was a solid and consistent back. Cherundolo was most successful pushing forward and generating chances with his excellent crosses. But other than those two, the rest of the backs, including defensive mids Ricardo Clark and Jose Torres, were terrible. They were exposed early and often, slow on their close outs, and often slow to react on plays. The D cost them against Slovenia and Ghana, no question about it. In four years, it could be a completely new set of four, and I wouldn't be shocked.
Honorable Mention: Ricardo Clark

Most Promising Award: Michael Bradley.
This kid has star written all over him. He already plays in Europe, he's 22, and he is a force in the midfield for the US. Every team needs that center mid that can control the game, score goals, and recover and defend. Maybe that mid is Bradley. He showed promise of being a dominant mid in the 2010 World Cup. He excelled with his ability to go box-to-box. He made good recoveries on D and made great plays and runs on offense, including his run that led to the equalizer against Slovenia. Michael Bradley is a star in the making.
Honorable Mention: Maurice Edu

Brain McBride Award: Clint Dempsey.
This award goes out to the guy that showed the most grit and determination out on the pitch, also doesn't hurt if you start bleeding somewhere on your face, much like good ol McBride in 06. Dempsey got bowed not once, but twice in the face, and was on the pitch every minute of this World Cup. He played with heart and determination out there, he even got rewarded with a goal, thanks to Robert Green. But Clint played his usual brand of hard-nosed soccer, whether he was at mid or up on the attack. He even drew a penalty against Ghana after nutmegging John Mensah. Do work Clint, you earned this prestigious award.
Honorable Mention: Michael Bradley.

The Bearded Fellow Award: Oguchi Onyewu
This award goes out to the man with the best facial hair. When you have more hair on your face than your head, you're usually a lock to win this award. He could have made it look a little neater, but the beard was impressive. Keep growin it Gooch
Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey.

The US will have a solid squad in 4 years, but for some reason I doubt it will be as good as this year's squad. There are a handful guys that are questions for the next World Cup in four years, and they are important guys, (Dempsey 28, Donoavon 27, Howard 31, Bocanegra 31, Cherundolo 31, Onyewu 28.) This team's exit is disappointing, but they made this country proud. Hopefully, positive comes out of this run for the game of soccer in this country... One can only hope.

Tim Howard: Underrated.

Where would the US be without it's keeper Tim Howard. Would Donavon have scored? Would England have only managed one? No. Tim Howard has been amazing for the US in their World Cup campaign and all other international match-ups. I want to write a brief post on my feelings about good ol' Timmy.

First off, I want to say that he is the most underrated keeper in the entire world. He doesn't get the credit he deserves, playing for Everton and the US, but Tim is one of the top 5 keepers in the world. Yes, I know many would quickly refute that, but he's got the skill, athleticism, and the leadership of a top keeper. He's not at the level of the big 3, Julio Caesar, Iker, and Buffon, but I'd throw him right after them. Petr Cech is still got him, but that won't be for much longer. Howard is right there at 4 or 5 in my book, but no one gives him the credit he deserves.

Tim is the leader of this squad, yes Boca has the fancy yellow armband, but Tim Howard is the voice of that team. He is always barking out orders to his teammates. He's an on-field coach. Boca's got the armband, but Howard is the captain.

I expect Tim Howard to leave our beloved USA to the Semis, and if he's back in 2014, (for those that don't know, he's 31) he will have that captain armband he deserves.

It's fitting that the most-valuable player and the leader of this underrated US team, is as well, grossly underrated.

Drama on the Pitch

It took 91 minutes, but the United States eventually got that 1-0 lead and win it needed to advance and win the group. We all know the run up, Dempsey robbed on a bad call, the US dominating the chances but not scoring, then a Tim Howard throw, which I'm sure would impress Payton Manning, found the feet of Donavon; Donavon to Jozy, Jozy to Dempsey, Dempsey denied, and Landon follows up with the rebound goal. I'm not trying to downplay the goal, trust me I was going nuts, quietly nuts, but nuts nonetheless. But we all know how it happened and what it did, but do we know what it meant? Do we truly know how big it was?

One person that doesn't is a man by the name of Pat Caputo. Normally, I would never bring up another journalist in this blog, but I have a bit of a bone to pick with Mr. Caputo. Caputo said, nay ranted, about how little this game meant, only because we played Algeria. He was angry that people, although I have yet to hear one soul make this one besides him, were comparing it to the US Olympic hockey win against Canada at Canada this year. Let me break this down Breaded Style...

Hockey is great yes, but this win is bigger. Under every normal circumstance I'd say the US hockey was bigger, but these weren't normal circumstances. Question, if the hockey team lost that game, would they have been out? No. Would the soccer team? Yes. Did the hockey score in the last seconds to win that? No. Soccer? Yes. Ya get my point here? The timing and what was at stake makes this win bigger. Okay sure, it was Algeria, but to win under pressure when everything is on the line, that is always impressive in my book.

Also, let's factor in that everyone in that stadium was rooting against the US, with a select few of course. Everyone else wanted the African nation to win that match. So the hostility was there. Also add in the two major blown calls that almost kept the US from advancing, and then you got yourself one hell of an accomplishment.

Sorry Pat, but this win means so much, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. The US wins the group for the first time since 1930. Last time I checked, that's a really long time. The sport was almost dead in the 70's and 80's, it was saved by a goalie that never saw the pitch in a WC game(read the article, link at the end). And now, the popularity is rising, and thanks to this game, people believe that the US can actually compete. I don't care if you hate soccer, if you don't see the significance in this win, then you are an ignorant buffoon (directed at all, not just Pat.)

This win, and this WC run could spark a huge growth in interest for the game of soccer. As weird as it sounds, the Fifa franchise has really helped laying the ground work for building interest. The MLS is getting better, and more US players are competing at international levels. Factor in all of this, and you can see that popularity for soccer is rising. There are those who still deny it, but soccer is pretty damn popular here in the states now. Had the US lost, all those on the fringe fans, would just say, "Oh the US sucks, who cares?" But now, they're sayin "Hey... we could make a decent run here, these guys are pretty good." I don't care if it was just Algeria, this win has monumental significance for the sport stateside.

Official prediction: Because the US won the group, we now have a favorable bracket to play with. No Germany, no Argentina, instead we get Ghana and the winner of Uruguay and South Korea. Reaching the semis is very doable, and I believe the Yanks will do it. No, not a type, the US will reach the semis. Beyond that, doubtful, but reaching the semis is one hell of an achievement for such a "lousy squad."

Thanks to Mike for posting this, and check out this piece, long but very good.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5308513/ce/us/david-vanole-esophagus-saved-us-soccer?cc=5901&ver=us

Bud Selig: Incompetence at it's Finest

Oh Bud Selig... You are an absolute joke, and ya have been for many years. The man is a bumbling buffoon and an incompetent commissioner. The man is clueless, and he needs to go. But I'm not just saying it because of the Armando situation, although that's the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm saying it because it's true, and his track record speaks for itself.

First off, addressing the issue at hand, Selig should over rule it. He can overturn the call, and then say "This is a one time thing. I'm only doing it because it's a perfect game, the last out of the game, and would have no affect on the overall outcome of the game." Bam, simple as that. That statement leaves no doors open for other managers going, "Well this ump blew the call..." He can make it so that it only applies in this situation, a perfect game ruined by an umpire. Thadeus McCotter said in a letter he wrote to Selig, that "only the truth will uphold and honor the integrity of the game; and the truth is that this game was perfect," addressing the issue of "preserving the integrity of the game." I couldn't agree more. I personally don't see the big deal about reversing this call. Jim Joyce wants it, Galarraga wants it, the fans want it, and many others have voiced their opinions on it. Including a former Cubs pitcher who had a perfect game lost on the 27th hitter on some controversy, Milt Pappas (lost his perfect game on a walk after the umpire called two straight close pitches balls. The batter later said after 1-2 I was giving up the AB.) He said about Selig's decision, "What an idiot. How the hell can [Selig] not do that? What is it, the integrity of the game? I can't believe that, after the umpire even admitted what he did," Pappas told Willie Weinbaum of ESPN's Enterprise Unit. "[Joyce] ruined the kid's perfect game and said so. Unbelievable. It's too bad." Obviously I got that quote from an article, and here it is: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5248118">

This isn't the only reason I hate Selig, like I said, it's just the straw that broke the camel's back. But where to begin... Well first off, he ignored steroids. He probably said to himself, "Hey, these guys are hitting home runs, fans are showin up, I'm makin money, I can dig it." But as soon as Congress came in, here comes Bud on his high horse, talking about how big a problem it is for the game. Are you telling me that you, not once, knew or heard anything about all the juicing going on in the 90's Bud? Are you kidding me? It was common knowledge amongst players, managers, and even general managers that a substantial amount of players were on roids, so you're telling me the commissioner was clueless? Not buying it, sorry.

And how about the all-star fiasco? He calls a game because the teams run out of pitchers, but then follows it up with the dumbest idea ever. In order to avoid the tie, he decides that home field advantage for the World Series hinges on guys that probably won't be on the team playing in it. And he thinks that's good for the game? If he's so big on tradition and the integrity of the game, how come he came up with that brilliant idea? I mean seriously, all-star games are supposed to be fun for the players, coaches and fans all involved, not actually have an impact. Absolutely absurd...

Bud Selig loves to just put his head in the sand and pretend everything is fine with the game. He tried to hide and avoid the steroid issue as well as the replay issue, which he botched. He gave in for home-runs, but that was it. My friend Sully said it best, "If you have replay, why limit it?" Good question, Mr. Selig you wanna answer that one? I didn't think so. (Even if somehow he read this, he wouldn't have an answer.) But it's really sad that it took something like this for him to even consider implementing a replay system, but that is the one positive of this whole disaster; old man Selig will finally let technology play apart in the game.

So, Mr. Bud Selig, if you really and truly want to hold the integrity of the game and do what's best for baseball, you will overturn the call, and then step down as commissioner. Please and thank you.

Perfect Game? What should have been for Armando Galarraga

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I have to throw my two cents in on this issue. I also wanted to wait and see if Bud Selig would do anything about it. Also had I wrote this when it happened, I would be berating Jim Joyce, but since the blown call, he's been nothing but classy and handled it like a man.

We all know what happened on the eve of June the 2nd, 2010, was a travesty, a crying shame, and just very unfortunate for all parties involved. Every pitcher dreams of throwing a perfect game, and Armando Galarraga (of all pitchers) was one out away from accomplishing it. And we've all seen it a thousand times, but here it is again,

Props to Mike Bennett for gettin the video, and for posting it to Facebook.


"Why Jim? Why is he safe Jim?" Like always, Rod says the obvious, but in his defense, that's all any of us could say. Why? Do you know what he was doing? That's a perfect game, you give him the call! Throw in a multitude of obscenities, and you have the reaction of every Tiger fan. I was livid. I was cursing Jim Joyce, calling him many things I cannot repeat. But can you blame me? Or any Tiger fan? It was, correction is, the first Tiger perfect game in the 110 years of Tiger baseball. It's a damn shame that it won't be remembered as such.

I would like to point out that I am very impressed at the way Armando, Jim Joyce, Jim Leyland, and the Tiger players handled everything. Lord knows I, and many others, would have gone off on Joyce for blowing a perfect game with the last out. Leyland came out and supported his player, like any good manager would. Armando kept his cool, that was what was impressive. And even post-game, he said Joyce apologized and he gave him a hug. Let this be a lesson to every young athlete out there in sportsmanship. In the end, it's just a game, albeit important and we all get caught up in the moment, but the most important thing about playing sports is having fun.

But the man I am most impressed with is Jim Joyce. How many umps and refs do you know admit that they screwed up? None. Even when the evidence is there, and they are probably shown it post-game, never has anyone admitted it. Granted, no blown call has ever been this huge, no official that I can remember has admitted to making a bad call. As soon as he saw the replay, he apologized to Armando, Leyland, and to the public, the fans. Not only did he admit the mistake, but he acknowledged the magnitude of his mistake. I commend him for doing so, kudos Jim Joyce, but sorry you still got it wrong. It was a close play, but it wasn't bang-bang, so you shoulda got it right bud, sorry. Especially considering the situation, you should always give the pitcher the call if it's about to be a perfect game. Come on Jim, 21 years of umpiring, and you blew the biggest call of your career. But, you owned up to it, so I can forgive you... eventually.

But the man that will not escape this situation redeeming himself and his reputation is Bud Selig, the most incompetent man in all of sports. The man is a bumbling buffoon. He had a chance to make the fans happy, save a piece of Jim Joyce's rep, and give Armando the historic achievement he deserves. I don't want to hear "well this is unprecedented! There's no precedence to overturn it!" Make the precedence! Precedence doesn't fall out of the sky, it's made at some point. It would not have "opened the floodgates to appeals to Bud to overturn calls." This was for a perfect game, not some random game with a bad call deciding the outcome. Besides if other teams complained, wanting a call changed, why can't you just say no? That would stop the supposed "floodgates." This is a perfect game, he admitted it was the wrong call, but won't fix it. Why? Because the man is an idiot. But I'm saving the rest of what I have to say about him in my next post, I have more I need to say about him.

So fans, I think it's time we forgave Jim Joyce, if you haven't already. And at least replay will probably come out of this play, so in the end, it's a blessing in disguise. It just wasn't handled right in the end... good job as always Selig.