Reply to USMNT - The Gregg Berhalter Era

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As far as the players, all this game shows us is the level of US talent playing in the MLS right now.  Other than the goalie, all of the players in this game were competing for a spot on the bench.  The only field player on the roster who conceivably still starts for the full USMNT was Bradley.  I think this is Zardes last camp.  Full credit to him - he's made the most out of what he has, and has had a successful pro career as a result - but he is just never going to be good enough technically for the international level.  
What he offers is speed, which gives you the ability to stretch the back line, but we now have other players with just as much speed and a whole lot more to offer (Tim Weah, for example).

It was a good opportunity to evaluate the coach though.  Regardless of the final score, I liked the way the team played.  It is so nice to see a US team try to keep the ball, and build play from the back.  How many times over the years have we seen a defender pass back to the GK who just boots it as far as he can up the field - regardless of whether he is under any real pressure or not?  By contrast, Steffen was calmly receiving the ball and looking to find a teammate to feet. There was a nice balance between patience and attack.   Their offensive shape was good.  Midfielders were showing for the ball, connecting triangles.

Bradley was defend deep, and counter at speed.  Keep it simple an rely on our traditional strengths.  Good enough to get consistent results against inferior opponents, and pull of the occasional upset (Spain in Confed Cup), but never going to get us to the next level in international competition.

Klinsman was all talk and no actual coaching.  I loved the talk, but the lack of actual coaching showed in the end.  He performed well in the 2014 WC, and deserves credit for that, but overall his tenure was a disappointment.  He promised to change the way we played, and failed to deliver.  Great guy.  Bad coach.

Arena was the embodiment of the US Soccer status quo.  Don't rock the boat.  No need to panic.   No need for radical change or trying anything fancy.   We'll just go back to doing things the way we've always done them and everything will be just fine.  American's are good at coaching (just look at Belichick), and we just need to do things the American way.  Pep who?  "I would love to see one of these hotshot teams from Europe come here and play in our CONCACAF qualifying, to really get a taste of this and see what that’s about."   That was Bruce.  Good by Bruce.

Berhalter seems more or a modern manager, a student of the game.  Very immersed in the tactical details.  I like what I've seen so far.  Will be interesting to see what he does with the full group this summer.  [/quote]

If Berhalter is dumb enough to use Bradley in a game against a better opponent he's going to get cut to ribbons. All he does is stand around in the center of the field and pass the ball. Against a better opponent, he won't even get a chance to touch it. [/quote]

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