New Leaf

The U.S. Soccer federation just recently made a change that many in the soccer world thought was one year too long.  That change was the hiring of the new U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsman.  The announcement of the German legend was not a surprise to many of us as this was the third attempt by the USSF to lure him in. 

I think that this change was warranted.  I have never really been a Bob Bradley hater.  He was hired as an interim coach after a horrid World Cup by Bruce Arena in 2006.  His organized serious approach was exactly what the national team needed after a horrible run in Germany. 

In my eyes, he only had one flaw that would plague him during his tenure as national team coach.  Before being called on to fill the void for the national team, Bradley coached a young Chivas USA team.  Before that he coached the New York Metro Stars.  Between these two teams the there were three players that brought me and many other U.S. fans the same reaction when seeing their names on the final roster for friendlies, World Cup Qualifying and World Cup Final games.  Those names were Sacha Kljestan, Ricardo Clark and the notorious....................JOHNATHAN BORNSTEIN!!!!! 

I'm a coach and I know you could get attached to some players, especially when you feel that you had some part in their development as a player.  This paternal feeling, unfortunately, was the flaw of Bob Bradley that I was speaking of.  There were too many instances when we saw these three players called up for important games and tournaments when there were others who were more deserving of a spot.  Let me explain, I'll save the best (worst) for last. 

Sacha Kljestan:  Drafted by Bob Bradley.  Sure he became the first U.S. player to score a hatrick after his first international goal since 1934.  I was there for that game against a Sweden team that did not look threatening at all.  Unfortunately this hatrick would keep him on BB's radar for the next few years.  The majority of his playing time with the national team he would be ineffective.  He would be a waste of space. 

Ricardo Clark:  Drafted by Bob Bradley.  He is a midfielder.  He makes unnecessary fouls in the midfield.  He turns over the ball in the midfield.  Case in point:  U.S. vs. Ghana 2010 WC. Turned over the ball which led to the first Ghana goal, which lead to the elimination of the U.S. from the World Cup. 

Johnathan Bornstein: Drafted by Bob Bradley.  One time I was at a Southern California Cosco and I saw a skinny little guy chowing a chicken bake.  It was Johnny B.  I meant him and wished him luck on the upcoming U.S - Mexico game.  At that time I thought that the chicken bake-eating boy from Los Alamitos was a strong prospect to become a U.S. national team defender.  His first game, which I also attended, was a dream start.  He scored his first goal.  The speedy defender had promise.  However, as he kept getting called up and getting starts, his reputation was building.  It was a reputation of getting caught flat footed.  There were too many times when a forward would go at him and get right around him.  Pretty soon teams were intentionally going down his side.  As a player, when the other team is picking your side of the field to attack there is a problem.  The biggest and most recent example of this was in the 2011 Gold Cup final between U.S. and Mexico.

Bob Bradley was criticized for his in-game management during his tenure with the national team.  The straw that broke the camel’s back was the last Gold Cup final.  The U.S. was up against Mexico 2-0 which is a score that Mexicans learned to hate over the last 12 years.  His left back Steve Cherundolo who in my mind was the player of the tournament for the U.S. got injured.  Instead of putting a slower but more experienced Johnathan (Spector), he put in his adopted son Johnathan Bornstein.  As previously mentioned, the Mexicans went at little Johnny like a pack of wolves and chewed him up and spat him back out.  His thinking was that Bornstein’s speed was more important than Spector's experience.  He was wrong. 

What would Klinsman have done in this situation?  I'll tell you.  He would have put in the more experienced and more physical player over the speedy counter attacker left back.  You see, Klinsman is German.  The Germans don't mess around.  They are notorious for going far in tournaments.  They do whatever it takes to advance.  It's not always pretty but it is effective.  I believe he would have had one forward and played a defensive game, defend to the death.  

Good luck to you Mr. Klinsman! I hope you do well.  You have the playing and coaching experience.  You are the right man for the job.