Bradley's Back for USA, but Colombia's James Steals the Show

Published on 11-Oct-2018 by Axel Krรผger

Soccer    Soccer Daily Update

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Bradley's Back for USA, but Colombia's James Steals the Show

In the midst of USA Soccer trying to re-invent itself by nurturing a kiddie corps, who saw this coming?

Michael Bradley, all of 31 years old, was last seen wetting the bed along with his teammates in Trinidad & Tobago, which was just possibly the most devastating loss in the history of the USMNT.

But there he was, roaming midfield in the Americans' friendly with Colombia tonight:

 

Dude actually acquitted himself rather well. That's what getting the proverbial new lease on life can do for a person.

It's fair to say Bradley got his shot because a rather promisting crew of young midfielders were nursing aches and pains:

  • Christian Pulisic, who virtually every other nation wishes he was their citizen,
  • Weston McKennie, who still needs to raise his game to be a reliable international, and
  • Tyler Adams, who has a 19-yer-old body and already a 31-year-old football mind.

 

Bradley did his bit, too, in a 2-4 loss to Colombia that was a fair indication of where the USA stands at the moment.

The highlights don't show it, but it was his pass down the left side to Antonee Robinson that led to the Americans' first goal via Kellyn Acosta:

 

But it was Colombia's James Rodríguez who stole the show, highlighting the night with this splendid bender in the 36th minute:

 

Price of admission, right there.

Incredibly, the USA is still under direction of an interim coach, Dave Sarachan. They've gone a par-for-the-course 3-3-3 with him at the helm.

Everyone expects the new dude to be Columbus Crew manager Gregg Berhalter, which leaves those with a European perspective shaking their heads.

 

How does a nation with the resources of America consider someone who's coaching what's essentially a Tier 2 club team for an international position?

 

Of course, USA Soccer tried the latter when they hired Jürgen Klinsmann.

Dude took a look at the state of its development program and immediately alienated the brass by being forthright about their World Cup chances and telling young American players to train in Europe.

And now? Those in high places have changed, and what are they doing?

 

Telling young American players to train in Europe.

Seems like USA Soccer is getting there, in spite of itself.