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Reader comment on:
Bradley Must Bolster Arena's Model for Success

Submitted by Peter Poole, Jun 26, 2007 15:50

Although I think that most of your comments are quite astute, I see a more marked difference, and less continuance of the Arena era than you stated. The U.S. has some limitations that can only change through player evolution, rather than particular coaching, and it is definitely more satisfying seeing 19 to 23 year olds playing it somewhat safe while growing into their game than seeing the same old faces whose games matured awhile back at roughly the same level. I also see a higher pace to the game under Bradley, and probably youth has something to do with that. I was afaraid that the US would lose pace in the midfield without (son) Bradley, who has a high work rate. That happened, but young Clark was the remedy in the second half.

I have a sense that we now have some players who can develop the creativity with time and experience. You seem to agree that the problems run front to back, not just in the (very important) mid-field, as you pointed out. At the front, we lack strong finishers, and unlike the other positions, I don't think experience can overcome that.

A final note of minor disagreement. As someone who refereed for many years, I see the penalty box foul on Ching more as one that is very difficult NOT to call. Granted, it would never deserve giving a card - those are the easiest, but the attacking player's own quick move put him into position to successfully continue the attack, and it is hard to see how he could have done so, given the defender's contact. The Bradley call is easier - to me either a yellow or red card. That late in the game, especially a semi-final, Bradley will have to learn not to make such a needless tackle from behind with really no shot at the ball - a good lesson for him.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I applaud Mr. Gardner for not being afraid to tell it like it is. It seems far too man of... [MORE]

nebulachapin

Jun 27, 2007 14:29

...since the bruce era is the s reportage on the sport here. The differences in the Bradley approach are sizeable... [MORE]

Erik

Jun 27, 2007 13:46

Gooch and rico clark can't play. They are just out there to hit somebody. No soccer IQ at all. They... [MORE]

Paul nowakowski

Jun 29, 2007 13:58

I have to disagree. Bradley is implementing a much more exciting brand of soccer. The team is playing well on... [MORE]

Jon

Jun 27, 2007 13:43

Misses by Beasley, Dempsey, and the rest of the strikers show us that we are still way behind in the... [MORE]

Vernon S Waligora

Jun 26, 2007 21:24

I'm not certain Paul is correct when he assigns Bradley as an Arena clone...given that Beasley was miscast in Germany... [MORE]

skip

Jun 26, 2007 20:42

I felt the assessment of the lack of creativity was a little harsh. When you consider the retreads that Arena... [MORE]

Ian

Jun 26, 2007 20:19

The key comment in the column is that the changes are easier to advocate than to achieve. Give Bradley credit... [MORE]

sdflash

Jun 26, 2007 18:59

Bruce Arena's model for success didn't take him as far as it could. He deviated from the model by playing... [MORE]

Roman Kent

Jun 26, 2007 18:50

The first half was extremely difficult to watch inasmuch as I don't understand Spanish and had to just sit and... [MORE]

Chuck Kennedy

Jun 26, 2007 17:52

I don't know what game Paul was watching?!? Calling Bocanegra's performance in the Gold Cup final "Sub-par" is unfounded. I... [MORE]

Cecil Zeringue

Jun 26, 2007 17:44

I agree with the bulk of Paul's article. The one part that I don't is "Bradley inherited many of the... [MORE]

Michael

Jun 26, 2007 17:25

Thankfully I'm not the only one who sees the inadequacies of Guch. He has the potential to be that central... [MORE]

Chuck G

Jun 26, 2007 17:10

Although I think that most of your comments are quite astute, I see a more marked difference, and less continuance...

Peter Poole

Jun 26, 2007 15:50

While I agree that the midfield IS to cautious and considers holding the ball more important than advancing it, I... [MORE]

Jim Blake

Jun 26, 2007 20:55

couldnt agree with this guy more about their midfield and their style its just plain and without creativity, especially against... [MORE]

cliff

Jun 26, 2007 12:29

I think Bradley is on a good path with the team. He is developing the young players and getting them... [MORE]

Eric

Jun 27, 2007 09:27

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