How Bob Bradley cost the United States the Confederations Cup (with an assist from Jorge Larrionda)

First off, let me say full credit to the Brazilians for putting on a footballing clinic against a gassed American side in the 2nd half. There's a reason this squad is the 5-time World Cup Champions, because they are stacked full of talent on the pitch and on the bench.

However, this is not a post about Brazil's great play snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, but rather Bob Bradley's mind snatching defeat from the jaws of victory or at the very least extra time. Consider that even the WALL STREET JOURNAL was live blogging this match on their website: American soccer had hit the big time... this was a PRIME OPPORTUNITY to quite the naysayers and send off the US with the confidence of a nation united behind them into the remaining Qualifiers and (hopefully) World Cup. This is when you want to bring your A-game, and if this was Bob Bradley's mental A-game, then he is not the manager the United States needs.

The Second Half

After the Americans got off to a rousing start with a 2-0 halftime lead, the warning signs popped up immediately, with an immediate reply from the Nation of Samba to make it a 2-1 game. The US, again led by courageous players full of desire and determination, fought to regain a footing in the match and did so for a little while, but consistent Brazilian pressure came forward, led by stellar play from the fullbacks, who started dominating the match. With rapidly tiring players and more and more pressure from the Selecao, the time for action was HERE! Right around the 60' mark. Did Bob Bradley rise to the challenge? Absolutely not... instead, he waits until AFTER THE EQUALIZER.... after WATCHING HIS TEAM spend 15 agonizing minutes diving after balls to clear, facing constant pressure, and getting numerous Tim Howard bailouts... WATCHING HIS TEAM CRY OUT FOR TACTICAL ASSISTANCE, only to get?
...
...
Nothing. No adjustment until it's too late.
Amazing.

The Larrionda Assist

I am going to now make a bold claim, one which may be valid, but we'll never know unless someone gains the ability to read Bob Bradley's mind (which as I am typing that statement, sounds like a pretty boring ability given that I don't know how much is really going on in there):

Had Michael Bradley been available for this match, the US would have held on to win.

You were probably wondering at the beginning of this, "Who is Jorge Larrionda, and how did he impact the Final?" It's simple really - Larrionda sent off Bradley for a challenge in the 86th minute of the Spain match, inexplicably and inexcuseably. Review the replay for yourself, don't take my word for it; there WAS NO foul on the play. NOT EVEN A YELLOW CARD... NOTHING. But yet, for the second time, a US player earns a direct red for a yellow-at-best offense under Larrionda's watch. Remember the US-Italy World Cup match back in 2006? How soccer fans around the country were up in arms over a direct red issued to Pablo Mastroeni? Yeah, same guy ... stunning coincidence when you think about it. So Larrionda's part is now explained.

Why Does it Matter?

"The US still has to play" I agree with you 100%, and if you look at the title of this article you'll see it says "How BOB BRADLEY lost the US the Confed. Cup (with an assist to Larrionda)" instead of the other way around. Here is where reading Bradley's mind comes into play. I have to believe (simply due to player quality) that Bradley would have been much quicker to bring on Benny Feilhaber as a substutite (removing a Forward to drop into a 4-2-3-1 variant of a 4-5-1 with Bradley and Feilhaber working as Defensive Midfielders. I have to believe it, because it makes sense; because Feilhaber had shown to be a positive player in the tournament thus far; because Feilhaber is a FAR BETTER PLAYER than Sacha Kljestan will EVER BE. The logic is obvious: Of course Bradley is hesistant to bring on Kljestan, he's terrible, has been terrible all tournament, and will do nothing to help the team by coming on, even if Jozy has had an ineffective game.

Yet, despite this forcefulness in my tone, I do not believe it. I do not believe it because Bob Bradley has consistently shown that he is incapable of reading the match and reacting appropriately. Bob Bradley's mind said "step to the touchline and clap a few times to support your players" rather than the obvious "give the midfield support." With the U.S. going into a defensive shell out of necessity from the Brazilian surge, how could it ever make sense to REMAIN IN A 4-4-2 trying to stem the tide?! Surely as a paid football manager you must know this. Bob Bradley, clearly, did not, and stuck with his guns until it was too late. The deflated US side accepted but shrugged at the entrances of Kljestan and Bornstein following the tying goal, and was too gassed to stop the inevitable third and match-winning goal from Brazil.

What To Do?

One can only hope that the US Soccer brass is not blinded by the dream final appearance to attribute it to the work of Bob Bradley. Let's hope their eyes are watching the upcoming World Cup qualifiers at Azteca and down the line. If such mistakes continue, there is no choice but for a change to be made. If such mental collapses continue, Bob Bradley cannot manage the United States at the World Cup.


Clearly, this was the effort of 11 players on the pitch giving it their all, showing the grit and determination of the true American player, that brought them to the lofty heights of an international cup Final such as the Confederations Cup. An outfit of determined players that needed just a little pick me up, 30 minutes from time and a win against Brazil in a 2-1 game, who were let down by their manager far more than the collective supporters of the side could ever be in witnessing this sad defeat.

The Truimphant Return!

Football fans, your day has come! I've returned to school full time and that means I can use my now-stable internet to bring you more great Matchday LIVE! Coverage! We're going to be getting back into live audio broadcasts by the end of the month, just in time to pick up the EPL and other European league seasons in full swing!

Be sure to stay tuned to Matchday LIVE! as we return to bringing you all of the big news and notes and live audio coverage from around the world in football! We thank you for your previous visits and patronage and hope to continue to hear from you all!

Regards and all the best,

The Matchday LIVE! Staff

Return of Matchday LIVE!

Fans, we'd like to thank all of you who have bookmarked, favorited, dugg, etc., Matchday LIVE! We've been away for awhile due a number of factors including school and family/personal requirements, but we want to let you know that by no means is the site and it's mission of providing quality football content dead.

Be sure to check back in the coming weeks for new material, hopefully including live audio for some of the biggest MLS matches, as the American soccer season heats up. Of course, you can still expect the same great updates, news, notes, reports, and thoughts you've come to expect from Matchday LIVE!

We hope our opening few months have earned us your interest and respect, and we hope that you'll come back and check us out again as we work even harder over the summer -- and what a busy summer of football it shall be. Euro 2008, the MLS season, Transfer Windows open...we won't miss a beat so you don't miss a beat. Thanks for your patronage, and we hope to see you again soon!

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MLS Week 4 Preview

MLS Action heats up this week, with everyone in action around the league. Things got kicked off last night, Thursday, when Columbus picked up a big road win at perennial contenders DC United by the final score of 2-1. An own goal by Gonzalo Peralta in the 43rd minute decided that match in favor of the Crew. Elsewhere, there are 6 matches remaining on the weekend. Four will take place Saturday, and the remaining two will be contested on Sunday, each with a special matinee game.

Saturday's matches feature the "Battle of I-95," as the depleted but confident New England Revolution head to the Meadowland to meet rivals Red Bull New York. Expect this one to be the matchup of the weekend, as tensions always rise when these two fierce adversaries meet on the pitch. First kickoff of the weekend, however, belongs to TFC, as Toronto FC gets it's home campaign underway at BMO Field against Real Salt Lake. This one is a guaranteed sellout, as the rowdy Toronto fans will be out in droves for the home opener. Check the TV listings if you want any hope of catching that match. Look to the west for the final two matches of the day. You won't have to go far to catch Colorado vs. San Jose though, that's the MLS Saturday Game of the Week on Fox Soccer Channel, and it kicks off at 9:30 Eastern time. Finally, defending MLS Champs Houston Dynamo visit David Beckham and the LA Galaxy in California for the final matchup of the night. LA is still trying to right the ship under new manager Ruud Gullit, while Houston is having problems of their own, slumping to an 0-1-2 (2 pts) start to the year.

Sunday's matinee is a 3 PM clash with two of the best in the MLS right now, as Kansas City travels to Bridgeview and Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire. These two teams both sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference, behind Columbus, and one would think something's got to give. The final match of the weekend forces the Home Depot Center crew to turn the colors around, as Chivas USA hosts FC Dallas Sunday night, less than 24 hours after LA's Home match. As always, be sure to check out the matches or check out Matchday LIVE! for post-weekend recaps and analysis!

Chelsea Collapses to Heskey at the Bridge

A stunning cross to the head of Emile Heskey in the 92nd minute resulted in a goal for Wigan Athletic that shook up the Premier League title race. Latics fought valiantly at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea but it was Michael Essien 10 minutes into the 2nd half that seemingly eased tensions all around the London ground with a solid blast from 20 yards out. It was not to be for the Blues, however, as Heskey latched on to a cross deep into stoppage time sniping a crucial point for Wigan's survival hopes.

Avram Grant fielded a rare side full of the typical reserves in anticipation of the trip to Everton on Thursday, with Makelele, Drogba, Carvalho, and Wright-Phillips all on the sidelines. Frank Lampard was expected to play, but was a late scratch due to a family situation that came up in pre-game warmups. Chelsea looked on edge as a result, not gelling like the normal Blues first team and Nicolas Anelka could only generate 2 modest chances that were well kept out by Chris Kirkland and the Wigan defense.

Joe Cole's introduction in the second half sparked life into the side, and a bout of sustained pressure finally saw the home side finish off with Essien's rocket into the bottom left corner of the net past the diving Kirkland. There was never really a chance to put it away though, and the players and crowd mostly seemed comfortable in accepting a 1-0 win.

Chelsea paid for their lack of intensity late on as Wigan continued to introduce creative players, with Jason Koumas, Antoine Sibierski, and Marlon King all introduced in the 2nd half. Finally, in the 92nd minute, the lone stroke of needed creativity was found, as a long cross from the left found Emile Heskey slashing through the box, and he did the rest, slicing a diving header past Petr Cech to gain Wigan the crucial point and returning Manchester United to a 5 point title cushion.

BOX SCORE

Chelsea       1 - 1  Wigan Athletic
   Essien 55            Heskey 90+2

Confirmed: Amado Guevara signs with TFC

Toronto FC got a huge boost today when they signed Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara. The former Red Bulls/Metrostars and Chivas USA player, as well as an ex-MLS MVP (2004), may even be available for the match tomorrow when Toronto travels to the Home Depot Center to meet David Beckham and the LA Galaxy. Toronto is looking for not only it's first point of the season (0-2-0 so far), but also it's first relevant goal of the year (their only tally on the season came in the 89th minute of a 4-0 game at DC United).

Guevara brings proven experience as a midfield general against MLS-level competition with his years with the MetroStars/Red Bull New York and Chivas USA and should prove an excellent added bit of creativity (36 career assists) in the midfield behind TFC strikers Danny Dichio and Jeff Cunningham. He is no slouch in the scoring department himself, either, having netted 32 goals in his 107 MLS appearances.

Sources: Toronto FC Roster & ESPNSoccerNet.com

Twice Near Death, Bayern Manages Miracle(s)

A Bayern Munich side far from their best play of the season made not 1, but 2 stunning comebacks in Spain against UEFA Cup Quarterfinal opponents Getafe to advance to the Semifinals of the 2nd highest competition in European Cup football. An early red card to Getafe should have provided all the enthusiasm the Bavarians needed, but instead they came out flat, giving up a goal just before the stroke of halftime to go down 1-2 on aggregate.

Still, they needed only one goal to save them thanks to away goals, but they never looked much like scoring. Truth be told, it was Getafe who should have put the tie away with a golden, wide-open opportunity missed midway through the 2nd half. However, just when the Germans looked to suffer a shocking upset to the Spanish side, a flick of the ball from Luca Toni back to Ribéry salvaged the contest and levelled the match - in the 89th minute no less.

Down a man and having conceded a shock leveler at the death, Getafe seemed down and out. They quickly changed their luck and outlook on progression through the competition with a 3 minute flurry of activity that saw the Spaniards net 2 goals in the first 3 minutes of extra time to take a 3-1 lead on the night (4-2 overall). The raucous fans at the Alberto Perez Coliseum sensed victory within their grasp, and the German outfit continued to look ineffective.

The remainder of the 1st extra period went by without issue for Getafe, as did the first 10 minutes of the 2nd period. Five minutes from victory, however, Keeper Pato dropped a seemingly routine catch allowing Italian striker Luca Toni to tap in, bringing the match to 3-2. A chainsaw would have been needed to cut through the tension in the stadium, and the Germans proved it in the dying seconds as Luca Toni picked up a brace with a header off a Sosa cross leveling the match at 3-3 and giving Munich the away goals lead. A dagger was pierced through the hearts of the Spanish fans in attendance only a few seconds later as the final whistle was blown, and the German giants escaped to face Zenit St. Petersburg in the semifinals.

FINAL BOX

Getafe            3 - 3     Bayern Munich
  Contra 44                   Ribéry 89
  Casquero 1 Ex.              Toni 25 Ex.
  Braulio  3 Ex.              Toni 30 Ex.

Halftime Report: Liverpool 1 - 0 Arsenal

A disgusted Arsene Wenger has just left the Emirates Stadium pitch seeing his team face a 1-0 deficit on Peter Crouch's 42nd minute goal. He has every reason to be livid thanks to poor efforts on both ends of the field, with Arsenal missing a host of opportunities to strike (Nicolas Bendtner in particular hammering a free ball straight at the goalkeeper from 12 yards out), and a defensive lapse leading to the Crouch finish.

Wenger has pulled everything out of his bag of tricks trying to get this team back in form, but it's evident that he acknowledges that the Champions League has to become the priority, being that it is the only competition in which the Gunners are performing well at the moment. A disappointing 1-4-1 run in league play has seen the London side drop to 3rd in the EPL table, and they face a tough test in Liverpool again Tuesday night at Anfield in the return leg of a semifinal which Wenger's men trail on away goals (1-1 result at the Emirates in the middle of last week). Players such as Justin Hoyte are making rare appearances in the Arsenal starting 11 today as Wenger rests the big guns for the 3rd (and more vital given Arsenal's terrible league form) meeting with the Reds in 8 days.

UPDATE: Arsenal have struck back on 54 minutes, and clearly Arsene Wenger feels there's something to be said about the Gunners' challenge for the league title as Emmanuel Adebayor is set to come on and provide a spark to the Arsenal attack!

UPDATE 2: FINAL SCORE... LIVERPOOL 1-1 ARSENAL. Arsenal strikes back on 54 minutes, but introductions of big name players (Arsenal: Adebayor, Hleb; Liverpool: Voronin, Torres) could not entice a winner out of either side. Arsenal slumps to 1-5-1 in it's last 7 league matches with a second 1-1 decision with Liverpool in the week. The two sides will meet again in 3 days at Anfield to decide who advances to the semifinals of the Champions League (Liverpool ahead on away goals 1-1).

Tides Turning on Revolution

Any joy that Steve Nicol and his New England Revolution team experienced in dismantling the defending MLS Cup Champions Houston Dynamo 3-0 in First Kick weekend has surely been eradicated in what has become a tough week for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

Despite the dominating performance, New England's front lines took a big hit. Starting XI mainstays Taylor Twellman (knee surgery) and Steve Rolston (dislocated shoulder) have been lost to extended injuries (Twellman for 6-8 weeks, Rolston for 4-6). In addition the team now faces a game without Jeff Larentowicz after he was shown a direct red card just a few moments ago (7 minutes into their match with Chicago) with the team already down 0-1 on an early Chad Barrett goal (4'). Another story to watch will most certainly be Khano Smith's morale with the club, as he was taken off after 12 minutes by manager Nicol in favor of a more defensive formation.

Since then, things have gone from bad to worse for the Revs. Horrible defending allowing a T. Frankowski goal (22'), a questionable PK award to Justin Mapp by the official (converted by C. Blanco - 37'), and more poor play at the back line resulting in another Frankowski strike (39') sees the Revolution on the wrong side of a 0-4 scoreline and looking more and more like a team in disarray.

MLS Team Previews: Toronto, DC United

Matchday LIVE! continues our 7-part series of MLS Team Previews to get you in the know for the American soccer season which kicked off this past weekend. Today we look at two more Eastern Conference clubs, Toronto FC and DC United. Enjoy! (Click on the pictures for full view)

Toronto FC


DC United