NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

BOOOOO!!!!!!!
Bob Bradley's contract as U.S. soccer coach extended through 2014
Is the U.S. really that unattractive a job that we couldn't get anyone better?

Blame Bradley!

Look, I didn't want to be right about Bob Bradley. I was hoping that he'd prove me wrong and that I would be forced to delete my blog in shame as Herculez Gomez was carried off the field in triumph in their stunning upset of Brazil in the final. But, alas, it wasn't meant to be, as Ghana took advantage of a flat-footed, overmatched Ricardo Clark and a weak tired backline to defeat our Yanks.

Of course I can't pin this all on Bradley because ... oh wait, yes I can! His selections for each match were absolutely inexplicable. Sure, he "got" us through the first round but that feat is much more a reflection of England playing poorly and Slovenia and Algeria being flawed teams. His starter selections in all four matches were inexplicable. Ricardo Clark was responsible for the only goal England scored, so he gets the start in the knockout round? Maurice Edu scored the winning (if not counted) goal against Slovenia and he rides the bench.

In every game the U.S. had to recover from the starting line-up and Bradley had to try to reshuffle and reorganize. He was successful (somewhat) against Slovenia and Algeria. He wasn't against Ghana, when it was do or die. The substitution of Clark after only 30 minutes told me everything I needed to know. As he left the field, Bradley didn't deride his lack of defense or his clumsy ball handling, he embraced him and told him he was sorry. Well, I'm sorry too. I'm sorry that you chose camaraderie over common sense. Edu should have been starting in his place.

Everytime Edu entered the game the pace changed and we looked improved through the midfield. Bradley looked more composed on the ball and the defense on our thin backline was relieved. And let's talk about that backline. Why did you take Oneywu if you were going to ultimately decide he wasn't ready for the competition? Why not bring him into the Ghana game as a sub? Oh wait, I already know the answer because you had to waste a sub to rescue Clark from drowning and then had to remove not-so-Herculez Gomez. Seriously, how can a I guy that had barely a sniff of the national team be the go-to striker in the most important game of our World Cup? Don't talk to me about Charlie Davies. Talk to me about Brian Ching. All the experience you left at home with him. Talk to me about Edson Buddle. Wasn't he "in form" as well?

We're all left with a lot of questions. And yet I'm proud of our boys. Dempsey and Donovan and Howard and the rest of them. They woke up a nation and demanded attention. Did they change the sporting landscape? No. But for a minute soccer was not second-class in this country. Soccer was King of America.

Ultimately, the blame must fall to Bradley. Because his inability to develop the talent, to choose the talent or to construct a line-up that features that talent was what led to our defeat. And if you are a coach that can't develop. select and optimize talent, then you aren't really a coach at all.

2010 World Cup: USA USA USA USA USA

U.S. advances thanks to an injury-time goal from Landon Donovan!!!!! U.S. wins Group C based on goals scored. England finishes second. I enjoyed typing that, so let me do it again: England finishes second to the U.S.

2010 World Cup: U.S. beat Slovs 2-2?

Thanks to a perplexing and terrible decision. The U.S. needs a win going into its last match with Algeria.

2010 World Cup: The Gift

Thank you, Mr. Green.

U.S. impresses vs. Aussies

Second-half subs lift U.S.

Introducing Team USA

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard.

TYH analysis: Perhaps the only (slight) surprise of this group is the order. It appears based on the match versus the Czechs that Brad Guzan has the edge on Marcus Hahnemann for the number 2 spot. How can a guy who can’t beat out 39-year-old (although admittedly still solid) keeper on his club team edge out a guy who has won his club’s No.1 and never relinquished it all season, posting seven clean sheets?

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu , Jonathan Spector.

TYH analysis: Heath Pearce’s dreadful performance on Tuesday made Bradley’s decision to cut him a no-brainer. Based on the original 30 selected, this was always going to be the group that was selected. Goodson’s ability in the area on corners really won him a spot because as a defender he’s just average.

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, Jose F. Torres.

TYH analysis: To be honest, I’m surprised that Bradley cut Sasha Kljestan loose but not because I think he deserved to be on the squad (he absolutely did not) but considering the number of chances he was given, I assumed that he and Bradley had a relationship. This is a strong group. The U.S. has had a consistently strong and deep midfield (the problem is that is where there depth begins and ends). I like the late addition of an experience Beasley, although he should be a late-game sub, not a starter.

Forwards: Jozy Altidore,Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, Herculez Gomez

TYH analysis: So, will Edson and Herculez (once upon a time average MLSers) emerge as legitimate goalscorers? It’s a gamble. But I think Bradley went with best available, in-form players. I have one difference of opinion with this group, however. What exactly did Robbie Findlay do to earn a spot on this team? Does he have naked pictures of Bradley or something? The choice should have been Brian Ching rather than Findley. EdJo made a valiant attempt at a comeback but it just wasn’t enough.