USA Today ran a pretty dense Q & A with newly appointed interim (grrrr...) USMNT head coach Bob Bradely this morning. All in all, he comes off like a pretty bright fellow and there are several noteworthy highlights - see, for instance, what he has to say about playing his son, his relationship with Bruce Arena, etc. - so take the time to read it if you got it.
But my two personal favorites come here (and this is Bradley talking):
"In 2002, our team had a freshness, a confidence, we got a great result in the first game (3-2 upset of Portugal). That's really important. If you're not together all the time, you build momentum during a World Cup. So that first game against Portugal absolutely was a spark. Sometimes, that's all it takes."
For what it's worth, I put a lot of stock in the passage in bold - not to mention its reverse.
But the million-dollar question of Bradley's uncertain tenure comes here:
"Most friendlies give coaches a chance to experiment with new players and tactics. As an interim coach hoping to be the permanent coach, is it more imperative to win those games?"
"The first responsibility is always to win and have the team look good. Of course, there are so many variables there. The idea of introducing young players into the team, the availability of players, it can go on and on. There are things that are out of my control. The ability to take whatever group is in camp and make sure the work in that camp is really good and when we have that opportunity that we take advantage of it."
Now, in a sense, Bradley ducked the question - and as well as any Bush White House flak that predates Scott McClellan and Tony Snow. But the way he answers will say a lot to me - and, hopefully, to USSF officials - about what Bradley would be like as a coach, specifically the extent to which he'll take chances. It's my hope he defies the strictures of his circumstances and pushes hard to introduce new players into the line-up; I'm hoping he begins by showing a willingness to build the team as opposed to playing for results by calling in veteran players. I'd like to think that would make a better impression with the right people.
We'll have the first answer to this question shortly. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: I just caught wind of Bob Bradley's first-ever list of call-ups to the national team training camp. In spite of the near absence of Europe-based players - who will, admittedly, be busy with club duties - I like what I see, specifically: Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Parkhurst, Dasan Robinson, Kyle Beckerman, Brian Mullan, Alecko Eskandarian, Kenny Cooper and Nate Jaqua.
The rest are OK, too.
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