Posts Tagged ‘Bob Bradley’

Bradley’s future to be decided

Monday, June 28th, 2010

USA coach Bob Bradley will discuss his future with the US Soccer Federation next month.

Bradley’s team had a mixed FIFA World Cup™ campaign, topping Group C ahead of England but falling at the first knockout hurdle against Ghana.

US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati admitted on Monday he and Bradley would meet in the next two weeks.

“I will sit down with Bob and we will talk about the good and the bad of the tournament and of the four years,” Gulati told the Washington Post.

“That is the appropriate thing. I want to hear his views, express some of mine and see what makes sense. I think he has done a very good job, that is very clear.”

It remains to be seen whether Bradley, whose contract is due to expire in December, will want stay on, with Gulati admitting: “He may want a different challenge – I don’t know.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, usa | No Comments »

Bradley: We could go far

Friday, June 25th, 2010

United States coach Bob Bradley is backing his side to surprise a few people now that they have achieved their first FIFA World Cup™ goal by reaching the knockout stage. Having topped a group that included England, Slovenia and Algeria, the Americans find Ghana standing in the way of a quarter-final place and Bradley expects to reap a dividend from the liberation that reaching the last 16 has brought.

“I think all teams feel the pressure in the first round,” he said on the eve of his side’s last-16 tie. “When you get through that, it is good to be able to go one game at a time and see how far you can go.”

Asked how far he thought that might be, Bradley replied: “If we continue to build on the success we’ve had so far, we can go to the end. That’s the name of the game but that has to be balanced with a concentration on each game. We try hard not to get ahead of ourselves but at same time everyone has this idea that, if everyone puts everything they have into it and things go our way, we could go far.”

Bradley’s bullish comments did not prevent him from voicing his respect for Ghana, who eliminated the United States in 2006 by beating them 2-1 in their final group game. “This particular Ghana team is well put together. Their coach, Milovan Rajevac, has done a good job. The team is organised, it has some talented individuals and great athletic ability. But when you look at their style of play, you see the individuals fit well into the team framework.”

“If we continue to build on the success we’ve had so far, we can go to the end.”

Bob Bradley, United States coach

Both sides have had only three days to prepare for the second round clash, but Bradley expects adrenalin to more than compensate for flagging energy levels. “It has been a short turnaround,” he said. “But at this point there is so much to play for, the players are excited to have the opportunity in the knockout round, the ability to see how far they can go.”

Bradley’s squad are often dismissed as more workmanlike but the coach believes there is sufficient creativity there to underpin his ambitions for the rest of the tournament. “I think our team has an understanding that, in order to be succesful, you have got to take all aspects of football and put them together,” he said.

“We believe working as a team and together but it would be unfair on our team to stop there. We’ve shown we can move the ball quickly and intelligently. We have individuals who have made the special plays you need to go far in a tournament. I have believed that all you need to do is put your work clothes on. You also have to be smart, disciplined and creative in the right moments. These are all important. We try to put a team out that puts all those things together.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, United States, usa | No Comments »

Altidore sits out US practice

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

A US team needing a victory over Algeria on Wednesday to ensure a place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ had last-minute concerns over its strikeforce on Tuesday after striker Jozy Altidore missed practice.

US coach Bob Bradley, already without suspended forward Robbie Findley for the crucial Group C match, said Altidore sat out training because he was feeling poorly. “Jozy just wasn’t feeling well, but he will be fine for tomorrow,” Bradley said.

There was no indication who might start alongside Altidore, who suffered an ankle injury in an earlier FIFA World Cup workout. US options include newcomers Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez plus veterans Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

But there was a sense the US team was energized by coming back twice for draws in their two previous matches. “We felt very good about the pure effort that was put into the second half,” Bradley said. “If we can build on that for this game, it’s a good start for us to win an important match.”

Slovenia lead the group on four points with the North Americans and England level on two points after a pair of draws and Algeria on one point. The North African side can still make the last 16 by defeating the US.

The Americans have never won a FIFA World Cup match in which they have trailed, making a first goal even more critical against the Desert Foxes even though Bradley played down the impact. “The game is 90 minutes. You always have to have an understanding of how to play those 90 minutes, the twists and turns the game can take,” he said before admitting, “Certainly you would like to score first.”

Also lurking in the thoughts of the North Americans are memories of a first-round exit from the 2006 FIFA World Cup at the hands of another African side, Ghana. US captain Carlos Bocanegra, who played in the 2006 side eliminated 2-1 by Ghana in the last group match, knows Wednesday’s result will decide whether their 2010 FIFA World Cup was an improvement or not.

“The game is 90 minutes. You always have to have an understanding of how to play those 90 minutes, the twists and turns the game can take.”

Bob Bradley, United States coach

“We obviously had a bad outing in 2006. We weren’t happy with how things worked out,” Bocanegra said on Tuesday. “We have a great chance to get a win and advance to the second round. It’s important for us because we had that disappointment in ‘06. It’s not extra motivation, but it’s in the back of our minds.”

Also in their thoughts will be the score of the Slovenia-England match being played at the same time. The Americans have the edge on England in terms of goals scored which can also come into the equation as to who qualifies. “It’s important to know, especially as you get into the second half,” Bradley said. “We will be into that and certainly factor in that information as we go out to try and win the game.”

The US and Algerian teams were not allowed to practice at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday in order to preserve the quality of the pitch for Wednesday’s match, with Spain and Chile set to practice and play there in the two following days.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Latest News, United States, usa | No Comments »

Little and large ready for battle

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Slovenia, the smallest nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, can clinch a second-round berth and deliver a stunning blow to the tournament’s largest nation if they beat the USA on Friday.

The match in Johannesburg pits the FIFA World Cup’s largest and smallest nations in terms of population and land area, and it is Slovenia, with about two million people, that can reach the last 16 by downing the USA, which has about 300 million people.

After a 1-1 opening draw with England on Saturday, the Americans find themselves needing a victory to overtake Slovenia, who were 1-0 winners over Algeria in the other Group C opener.

USA coach Bob Bradley believes the Slovenia game might be “more of a chess match” compared to the fast and physical pace of the match against England. “They are a hard-working team,” said Bradley. “They are organized. They have an ability to sit back a little more and still get you on the counter.”

“They are organized. They have an ability to sit back a little more and still get you on the counter.”

Bob Bradley, USA coach

“It’s going to be very difficult as the tournament goes on and the results get more crucial,” added USA defender Oguchi Onyewu.

Medically, there was good news for the Americans on Monday as goalkeeper Tim Howard was diagnosed with bruised ribs and although he was set to undergo further evaluation on Monday, Bradley expects him to be ready to face Slovenia.

Bradley was pleased at how the USA team, with seven players making their first FIFA World Cup appearance, held strong after falling behind 1-0 to England just four minutes in, something he credited to the character of his team. “The mentality of the group is strong,” he said. “We have been hardened along the way and we believe that we can play against tough teams, top teams. We know the mentality of how 90 minutes works.”

Meanwhile, USA defender Steve Cherundolo has received numerous well-wishing e-mails from pleased US supporters back home. “The general public is proud of our performance and that’s something this team can be proud about and build on,” he said. “At the end of the day, results matter more than anything. No matter how you play, nobody wants a loser.”

Tags: , ,
Posted in Latest News, Slovenia, United States, usa | No Comments »

Altidore, Onyewu fit to face England

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Jozy Altidore, USA’s top scorer in qualifying, and Oguchi Onyewu, a key defender sidelined by a left knee injury, are fit again and ready to face England in a FIFA World Cup™ showdown on Saturday.

Whether or not they have regained the stamina to play a full 90 minutes if asked is something that might not be shown until the Americans and England meet at Rustenburg, although Onyewu vows he can handle the challenge. “I’m up to facing England,” Onyewu said. “I feel fine and ready to start the tournament. I’m physically fit. I’ve done all the (workouts) with the team. There is no issue in terms of me playing a full 90.”

US coach Bob Bradley said Onyewu and all his team-mates can handle playing 90 minutes, crediting tough workouts since last month’s start of training camp. “Our fitness program has every one of our players able to play an entire game,” Bradley said. “Overall fitness is quite good. Some players that were a little behind, the work continues to move them in the right direction.”

Altidore, 20, returned to full training with the team Tuesday, a week after suffering a right ankle sprain. “I feel great. The ankle feels fine,” Altidore said. “It’s a little sore but I had no issues participating in all the exercises. I’m happy to be part of the group again.”

“Our fitness program has every one of our players able to play an entire game. Overall fitness is quite good.”

USA coach Bob Bradley

Bradley said it was only a minor setback for Altidore, who has been doing fitness exercises while out of practice sessions. “It cost him a couple days but from the beginning we knew this was very minor,” Bradley said. “He’s available for whatever role we choose Saturday.”

Onyewu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon last October and missed seven months before returning last month. Bradley has used him progressively less in three tune-up matches, never more than 65 minutes. “I would love to be able to see if I could have played a full 90,” he said. “A lot of our defenders haven’t played a full 90. Bob was trying to disperse the time among the players.”

Onyewu, 28, has not played 90 minutes in a match since last October. He saw action once for AC Milan before the injury, which came in the final US qualifier, a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica at Washington. “You can see him starting to come along,” US defender Jay DeMerit said. “I don’t think he or anyone was under any illusions that he would come in and be perfect to where he was last summer. When you have horrific injuries like that, you need to re-learn a lot of the key things that make you a player.”

Onyewu says he is ready if things get physical against such forwards as Wayne Rooney and similar-sized Peter Crouch as England pushes for a first FIFA World Cup crown since 1966. “I’ve played against big, strong players before,” Onyewu said. “If they want to start banging in there, I can.”

The Americans hope to at least match a 2002 run into the final eight and duplicate last year’s successful Confederations Cup run in South Africa, when they snapped Spain’s 35-match win streak and led Brazil 2-0 before dropping the final. “This Saturday is the World Cup,” Onyewu said. “It’s a completely different monster.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, usa | No Comments »

Bradley talks Rio loss, US win

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

USA coach Bob Bradley insists he is sorry to see England captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ ahead of next week’s meeting between the sides in Rustenberg.

The Americans warmed up for the meeting with Fabio Capello’s side by beating Australia 3-1 today. Two goals from Edson Buddle – the first for his country – sealed the victory, which suggested the US could ask questions of the Three Lions’ defence. But Bradley has taken no satisfaction from the absence of Ferdinand, who will miss the tournament with a knee ligament injury suffered in training yesterday.

“Whenever you get close to a World Cup and see players pick up late injuries and miss out, then I think all players, all coaches, everyone in the game, feels bad when that happens. When a player like Rio Ferdinand goes down injured, when there is a question mark against Didier Drogba e.t.c, these are things you don’t want to see.”

Bradley was happy with his side’s final warm-up match, but admits there are still areas to work on. ”In all ways it was an absolute final tune-up,” he said. ”We are pleased with the lead-up to the England game.

“Our understanding on the field is good, our fitness is good and we are getting sharper and sharper.”

USA coach Bob Bradley

“These matches are always tricky with a week to go, but the competitiveness of the match was exactly what we needed. Overall our understanding on the field is good, our fitness is good and we are getting sharper and sharper.

“In terms of improving still, I think the co-ordination of the defence at times can improve and also the ability, when we get advantages, to connect quickly and make something out of them.”

Bradley was pleased with Buddle’s contribution but would not confirm whether the Los Angeles Galaxy player would start against England.

“No decisions will be made yet on starting line-ups, but Edson continues to get more comfortable within the group,” he said. “You saw the things that have highlighted his MLS season so far, taking chances well, good finishing.”

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, United States, usa | No Comments »

Much to ponder for Bradley

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

USA coach Bob Bradley saw his side beaten 4-2 by the Czech Republic and admitted he had some tough decisions to make as he sat down to select his final 23-man squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup™ finals in South Africa.

The USA face group rivals England in their opening match of the tournament in Rustenberg on 12 June with Bradley set to name his squad six days earlier than FIFA’s required 1 June deadline in order “to start the team-building process”. He may wish he had given himself more room to manoeuver after a team missing many first-choice starters and filled with squad hopefuls for the most part failed their auditions against the Czechs in front of 36,218 fans at Rentschler Field in Connecticut.

“It’s a night when you can only imagine the emotions players are going through, but we’re at a point where tough decisions have to be made,” Bradley said. “I have so many things flying through my head right now. I’ve already said live on TV that Gooch (Oguchi Onyewu) played 90 minutes when we subbed him in the 65th minute, so you can imagine where I’m at. At times it was a little bit crazy and I think in the process of trying to put so much into it we at times left ourselves wide open.”

“We’re at a point where tough decisions have to be made. I have so many things flying through my head right now.”

Bob Bradley, USA coach

The USA had taken the lead in the 17th minute after Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu fired home a cross from Bolton’s Stuart Holden that had been missed by Czech keeper Petr Cech. Defensive frailties allowed the visitors back into the game just before half time when Brad Guzan was caught out of position on a Jaroslav Plasil free-kick from the right, as centre-back Tomas Sivok rose above a static Onyewu to head home.

Bradley made five changes at half-time but could not shore up the defence sufficiently, and the Czechs went in front in the 58th minute through Jan Polak. American sub Hercules Gomez levelled seven minutes later before more shoddy defending allowed Martin Fenin to fire home from seven yards out. Tomas Necid fired home the Czrch’s fourth goal in the 92nd minute.

The USA squad are set to visit President Obama in the White House on Thursday, the day after the final 23-man squad is named, before playing Turkey in Philadelphia on Saturday in their farewell game.

source : www.fifa.com

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, United States, usa | No Comments »

Bradley leaves Davies, Adu out

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

There were few surprises in the United States’ 30-man preliminary squad for this summer’s 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Five English Premier League players are included, while Villarreal’s Jozy Altidore spent part of the season at Hull and Los Angeles Galaxy’s Landon Donovan was on loan at Everton prior to the Major League Soccer campaign.

The squad will meet up in Princeton on 15 May and play friendlies with Czech Republic in Connecticut on 25 May and Turkey in Philadelphia on 29 May prior to the final 23-man squad being submitted to FIFA by the 1 June deadline.

“We are very excited to get this group together to begin our pre-World Cup training camp as we continue to prepare for the challenge of the World Cup.”

USA coach Bob Bradley

Coach Bob Bradley has named a squad of three goalkeepers – all based in the Premier League – nine defenders, 12 midfielders and six forwards. Charlie Davies has not been named. The Sochaux striker was injured in a fatal car crash last October and returned to training only last month. Freddy Adu, once a child prodigy linked with the world’s best clubs, has also missed out.

DaMarcus Beasley, who today announced he will be leaving Rangers, is one of two players selected from the Scottish champions, along with Maurice Edu.

Bradley said on USsoccer.com: “Throughout the past three years a number of players have contributed to our journey toward South Africa and we appreciate all of their efforts. We are very excited to get this group together to begin our pre-World Cup training camp as we continue to prepare for the challenge of the World Cup.”

The United States were drawn in Group C alongside Algeria, Slovenia and England, their opponents in their first game in Rustenburg on 12 June. It will be the USA’s sixth successive FIFA World Cup finals appearance.

Squad: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves); Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham); DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jose Torres (Pachuca); Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

*Please note that squad lists only become official after they have been submitted to and announced by FIFA.

source : www.fifa.com

Tags: ,
Posted in Latest News, United States, usa | No Comments »

Ching offers boost to Bradley

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Brian ChingUSA striker Brian Ching has given national team boss Bob Bradley a boost by returning to training following a hamstring injury.

2010 FIFA World Cup™ hopeful Ching, with 10 goals in 43 internationals, had been injured during the Houston Dynamo’s opening home game of the new Major League Soccer season on 1 April and had been told by doctors he would be out for up to six weeks.

With the United States having to submit their preliminary 30-man squad to FIFA on 11 May, Ching, 31, had been on the clock to prove his fitness to Bradley, whose striking options have also been hampered by long-term injury to Sochaux striker Charlie Davies.

“I’m recovering pretty well. Hopefully, I can continue at this rate and I’ll be back sooner than I expected.”

Brian Ching on his health status

Ching, though, returned to training with the Dynamo this week, kicking a ball for the first time and declaring himself happy with his progress.

“I’m still limited,” Ching told the Houston Chronicle. “I still cannot swing my left leg with too much force right now.

“We’re two weeks out. If you said I’d be running and doing all this when I first hurt it I would have been sceptical. I’m recovering pretty well. Hopefully, I can continue at this rate and I’ll be back sooner than I expected,” he said.

source : www.fifa.com

Tags: , ,
Posted in Latest News, usa | No Comments »

USA’s late winner edges El Salvador

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Despite missing its European-based players USA secured a 2-1 comeback against El Salvador on Wednesday with goals from Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan.

Ching scored with a diving header in the 74th minute and Kljestan put away the winner in 90th-minute injury time to lift the Americans to the victory over El Salvador. Ching, a second half substitute, scored the equalizer from seven yards out after a cross from Heath Pearce that Salvadoran goalkeeper Miguel Montes misplayed. Rudy Corrales’ 59th-minute strike had put El Salvador ahead, after a scoreless first half in chilly, rainy conditions at Raymond James stadium.

Ching, Kljestan and Pearce were among just a handful of players in the USA squad who appear to have a good chance of being selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Ching was in the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad but didn’t take the field.

“I thought there were a lot of positives,” USA coach Bob Bradley said. “Some good efforts. Some positive things on the field.”

All but one of the Americans on the pitch plays in Major League Soccer, with the European-based starters absent as they were for a 3-1 loss to Honduras on 23 January. For next Wednesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, the team should more closely resemble the team that helped the United States book their place in a sixth straight FIFA World Cup.

That will be the last match before coach Bob Bradley names his 23-man squad for South Africa. The players are to gather in mid-May and have friendlies against the Czech Republic (25 May) and Turkey (29 May) at Philadelphia before departing for South Africa.

The Americans, who were ousted in the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, launch their campaign on 12 June against England. Six days later they play Slovenia, before they close the first round against Algeria.

source : www.fifa.com

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Latest News, usa | No Comments »

« Older Entries
World Cup | News | Schedule | Nations | Stadiums | South Africa | Contact Us
copyright © 2010 www.worldcup2010world.com