But he is absolutely killing me with this paragraph about the US Team as they meander aimlessly into the World Cup:
[US Coach Bob Bradley's] job is made somewhat harder by the relatively consistent level of ability at his disposal. Apart from a handful of standouts like Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and his son Michael Bradley, there is little to differentiate the other players.
1. Dempsey did little to prove himself if we are talking about consistency. Throughout qualifying, he was a petulant child, unwilling to accept the role that Bradley had given him. For about 99% of the soccer players in America, playing the right midfield wing would have been a dream come true. For Dempsey, it was a burden. He wanted to be a striker, and protested his role like a dick--dribbling into trouble, not recovering on defense after his own turnovers, and just in general, sulking on the pitch. Time and time again, he was rewarded by Coach Bradley. Dempsey was pushed to a striking position late in games, where he performed well. I like Dempsey as a striker, but only because he's proven himself a liability at the right midfield spot. I would say that Stuart Holden had won that spot outright, if it were for his broken fibula (thanks for that, Netherlands!)
2. I have no idea what Michael Bradley has done, beyond being the coach's son, to earn this kind of "locked in" status as a starter. He's almost always a step too slow; his passes are more often than not based on luck rather than skill. I've watched him play at the International level as much as anyone has. I have yet to see what makes the attacking midfield role his, beyond a dearth of options.
The simple fact of the matter is, 3 months away from the World Cup, the US roster is in a dangerous state of flux. And Martin Rogers is lying when he says that the players he mentions have played themselves onto the pitch. Only Donovan and Howard have. I'd argue for Stuart Holden, if he hadn't gotten his fibula cracked. I'd argue for Benny Feilhaber, if he weren't coming off injury. I will argue for Jozy Altidore, simply because there isn't a better option up top. Jonathan Spector has proven to be the best wing defender the US has. The formerly German Jermaine Jones could step in and prove to be very important, if he's given an opportunity.
For a US soccer fan, it is a scary thing to admit--but 3 months away from the World Cup, and I'd say 6 to 8 of the positions are up for grabs. And Michael Bradley's position is certainly one of them.
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