Bob Bradley has far too many critics. Some people who believe the US is a big time program and
should be led by the likes of Guus Hiddink, just do not get the realities of dysfunctional US
Soccer Federation who blew the hiring of Jurgen Klinsmann for the simple fact that they are control
freaks and do not take well to any type of criticism.
For all of the praise that Bob Bradley has gotten and deserved for his win in Switzerland
(breaking a 5 game European losing streak), 2007 Gold Cup champions, wins against Egypt and Spain,
and 2009 Confederation Cup runners-up, he has gotten condemned for unimaginative performances
against El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup Qualifying.
This past week it was officially announced that Vincenzo Bernardo had opted out of his contract
with Italian Serie A club Napoli and is now a free agent. For some weeks there has been speculation
that the New Jersey native, who joined Napoli's primavera squad in 2006, would be coming to Major
League Soccer; however, no MLS side has publically expressed a strong interest in signing the small
but talented Italian-American midfielder/striker.
As Landon Donovan's national team career ticks on, previous records continue to fall. With the
all-time goal scoring title firmly his, a cap on Saturday night will give him the overall lead in
World Cup qualifiers with 32.
At the moment Donovan is currently tied with Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope, and Claudio Reyna at 31
qualifying appearances and barring unforeseen circumstances will make the record his own on
Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.
Which is good because I interviewed Landon Donovan on the weekend.
More on that in a bit.
I asked Donovan, who is likely to take sole possession of the all-time U.S. Men's National Team
World Cup qualifying appearance record when he plays against El Salvador in Rio Tinto Stadium
Saturday (he's currently tied at 32 games with Kasey Keller, Eddie Pope, and Claudio Reyna), about
the importance of the game:
"It's a massive, massive game," he said.
Our postgame podcast will be taped in a few hours. Guests will be Richard Farley of Inside the
Six and World Soccer Reader, along with Jamie Trecker of FOX Sports.
What I plan to address on the pod.
- Officiating at Azteca. Honduras lost on a pk.
- Bob Bradley's job performance: I rate him highly given the USSF's constraints, but I am certain
my guests will differ.
By Carl Carpenter
This summer I had the chance to interview two players, Claudio Reyna and Salomon Kalou, after Steve
Nash's second annual celebrity soccer match. Proceeds from the event went towards the Steve Nash
Foundation and the Claudio Reyna Foundation. The set-up is a free, 8-a-side match featuring NBA
players and professional soccer players.
