What this article doesn't say, is the last couple of opponents are strong World Cup teams... Brasil, Argentina, & Paraguay would be a handful for anyteams, let alone the US.... saying that,, the US needs to find the net more, and get ready for the Gold Cup..It would help if Altidore could open back his scoring account..

Paolo, were you at the Brazil match? The 0-2 score is not a good representation of how badly the U.S. were beaten that night. Brazil hit the woodwork SIX times and three to four tremendous saves by the U.S. keepers kept the U.S. in this match. Whatmore is that Brazil brought half their young talent that made us look horrible. U.S.A soccer has a long way to go still.

It's time for some new strikers. Altidore just can't get the job done. He's tried but it's just not working. It's time for him to go.

Paulo you want USA play with not important opponent and stay in a low level, You can improve if your coach has no experience in pro level.They kept him for "sentimental" reason and was cheap (by the way he makes at least 3 times more than the successful women national team coach w h y ???) Until USA keep Bradley nothing will change.

I'm not feeling too bad about it all. I'd rather see Bradley experiment with structures & new players early in this World Cup cycle than win meaningless friendlies. If it were WC - 2, then I'd sweat it.

All of the above comments are right. The competition this past year is stronger than that of 1998. Nevertheless, the USA still has a long way to go to develop an effective style and successful national team. We definitely need good strikers, and Altidore isn't even close. I like Bob Bradley, but it is time for a new coach. Many teams that are doing well change coaches, even after a short spell. Bradley has been around for about four years now. We need someone who can choose talented players. And while friendlies may seem meaningless, they are the best way to develop and maintain the team. There are always "real" competitions going on, not just the WC every four years. But it's not about winning the friendlies, it's about playing well.

USA also needs to work on their defense. In the Argentina game they relied too heavily on the goalie to save them the entire two halves. It was almost like they were standing still. (yes, I know it was cold) If he had not done such a great job it would not have even been close, let alone a 1-1 tie. If the D actually stopped the ball outside of the 18 or even up near the 30 or 40, then the offense would have had a shorter trip to the goal box and less need for a full field developement of the offense, or just a punt out from the box.

If there are no changes, nothing will change.

Congratulations Bradley. You have managed to completely destroy what has taken 10 years to develop. It is painful to watch US Soccer return to the days of Steve Samson - another coach without Pro-Experience. We don't need a coach who understands US Soccer - we need a coach who can compete on the International level and leave "boot ball" behind.

C'mon folks MLS Bob is the greatest thing since sliced bread according to the folks at USSF/MLS/SUM, Team Bradley is headed to new record-breaking frontiers apparently, what a joyous legacy for Flynn and Gulati. Hahahahaha . . . ok, now the drugs have really started to kick in . . . maybe one they they will figure out that the house-cleaning starts with the Bradleys, Flynn and Gulati and that the USMNT's interests must be primary to those of MLS/SUM.

>David Huff, must've been your "cup-a-tea" Good way to start your comment! As for the house cleaning, at one time I did have faith in Flynn (an old friend from WC '94 days) and even Sunny (or should it be "overcast") Sunil, also a pre-WC USA amigo. But as they say, a little bit of power corrupts, and as for cleaning house, it starts soon when Sunil terms out (who is in the wings looking to postulate himself as the next US Soccer prez?) and as for Flynn's longevity -must take a look see at his contract and I think he's served longer than my amigo Hank who completely organized Soccer House in Chicago - one of the better federation Secretary Generals - So, "what to do, what to do???) We're virtually at the mercy of the federation and until there are some changes, we're stuck with Banality Bradley and his progeny, the US soccer scene will continue to falter and wallow in the lower levels of international soccer.... we have the talent, the machine to catch up, but what is sorely lacking is the driver with experience. Can we afford another 13 years of soccer despair???

Oooops, I forgot to send a little note to Sheryl Mcneil: re Steve Sampson, in his defense he did serve an "apprenticeship" when Bora Milutinovic hired him, Sigi Schmid and Ralph Perez to be his WC USA NT Assistant Coaches. He is VERY soccer knowledgeable, but I must admit that I was genuinely surprised when he was named MNT Coach; also, the players he was left with posed a certain stumbling block and were not very friendly to him - lots of egos played into the situation. BTW I've also known him, Schmid and Perez since 1971. As for not needing "a coach who understands US Soccer," I think that this is a very important factor to consider, proof in the pudding is the Bora experimenmt: he knew international competition, but really did not know US Soccer, this is why he hired the "Three Amigos: Perez, Sampson, and Schmid." Memory serves me well, the US team performed much better in WC USA 1994 than ever before.... or since?

First off, while I agree that Altidore isn't getting it done, the fact remains that whomever Bunker Bob asks to go one v three up top isn't likely going to be able to do very much with little or no support. This fascination with a packed midfield and playing a Lone Ranger up top resulted in our taking all of THREE shots against Colombia last fall in that scoreless tie, this is a matter of our coach selecting a team and playing without attackers... and surprise surprise guess what happens when you commit little to the attack... you find you rarely score!! It also seems clear that our defense has been aging and needs to be rebuilt with a younger cast of characters. DeMerit just had two matches and was far from steady nearly giving Argentina a gift with his turnover by the edge of his box followed by coming very close to pulling his man down in the box, if the Argentinian player had decided to flop I expect that the Referee would have given the PK... this just isn't good enough. Our options at LB still seem to be Bocanegra who has no wheels or Bornstein who seems often to have no frontal lobe... this festering wound has been with us now for the last FEW YEARS, and Sponge Bob seems just fine with it as is...which is yet another reason why I'm NOT fine with Bradley staying on as coach. Hey am I the only person who wonders why Bornstein can take down two players for game changing PK's and virtually assist on El Salvador's goal in a WC qualifier and still routinely be asked back in to play at LB even as he plays a different position for his club side and Edgar Castillo gets all of 30 minutes playing at midfield in a lost cause against Denmark over a year ago and then is completely off the radar for the next year and a half? WTF Bob... we need other options at LB. That said both Lichaj and Chandler look to be promising candidates to replace Cherundolo at RB, but so long as we avoid playing a possession style in favor of direct long ball to a triple teamed striker we will have little chance of scoring and if you fail to score on a regular basis expect to get used to losing on a regular basis! (ICE)

It's well past time for a new coach! Someone who can get us back to world class play again. US vs. Brazil after the World Cup looked like schoolboy soccer and it hasn't improved.

Altidore-not good enough Bornstein-has never been good enough DeMerit-cooked(not good enough) Edu-not good enough(lost the ball repeatedly vs Paraguay) brings nothing to the table. If you have skill and are creative you seldom get to play and if you do see the field you must perform flawlessly or you will never see the field again. We build the entire team around a player who is a reserve on his club team. In the meantime we place one of our few offensive threats on the flank and then seldom play him the ball.

It's frustrating to watch the US team play, not just lately, but for the last few years. We're not the most talented team in the world, but we do have some talent. Bradley squanders what we do have. We could actually have an excellent offensive ball control team in time for the next World Cup with the likes of Donovan, Dempsey, Torres, Gil, Chandler, Ream, maybe Agudelo. Altidor has developed (actually not developed) into what we don't need, but what Bradley seems to like. Tough to watch.

It is disheartening to watch the USMNT dwindle down to a glorified “94 era MLS club. That is exactly the kind of coach bob Bradley is. Preferential treatment of players (ie. M. Bradley, r. clark, altidore and others) reminds me of corrupt organized crime syndicate. The entire formation revolves around M. Bradley, the least talented midfielder we have (besides kljestan). We are going NO WHERE folks. To prove my point you need to look no further than NCAA men’s basketball. Coaches that have strong talent and make it to the big tournament every year, but can’t get out of the first round are canned/fired. Not given a 4 year extension. We are in the CONCACAF. We should make the world cup every year. We have the talent to do that. But only making it out of group play and loosing in next round is NOT progress. Bradley is not the coach of the future….he is a coach stuck in the past!

So many negative comments here it is hard to think you guys have a clue. The US 94 WC team was lucky and no where as good as the 2002 team. Any idiot claimning M. Bradley has not earned and kept his position by playing well 16 goals in the one season he was played as an attacking midfielder in the Eredivisie and 10 in the Bundlesliga while playing defensively of a weak team are clear marks of ability. Bob Bradley can only select players who are available and since the retirement of Brian McBride, there have been no strikers of great quality to choose from. Altidore, Aguedelo, Davies have potential, who would you put in their place Buddle, Cooper, Findley, Gomez, Wondo? there is little evidence they would do better and more that they would not. Oh, I forgot those US strikers who are scoring goals in the Champions League, why doesn't Bob select them? The negative ninnies posting here make me sick. I can only surmise they feel like Bob or US Soccer did them wrong personnaly.

The negative comments are justified. Most of us have the ability to see the possibilities for the US team because there is some quality, creative talent available to the US team. We are all encouraged by not only having players like Donovan and Dempsey, but also some exciting youngsters like Tim Chandler, Tim Ream, Juan Agudelo, Luis Gil, Jose Torres and more. The shame of it is that you've got the Bradleys standing in the way of those talents shining. Understood that Michael Bradley has done well in the Eredivisie, Bundesliga and Premier League. Those are all physical, goons win leagues. The lone team in those leagues trying to play soccer the way it's supposed to be played, Arsenal, gets maimed by the goons year in and year out. Michael Bradley fits that physical, goon mode. His father reveres that lowest common denominator style. While our best may not quite match Barcelona, Spain, Argentina and Arsenal, we do have players that have the talent to play an effective, creative, attractive brand of football. Instead, we're stuck with the Bradleys.

Who says friendlies are meaningless and it is good enough to play well in them even if don't win? Argentina came here to win - they played very well - do you think they are satisfied? Vince Lombardi said it right - winning is not everything, it is the only thing! Whether we play friendlies or "foelies" we must have the same attitude about it! Altidore has, and has had potential from the beginning but it has not come to fruition, neither in the big game nor in the club game - he does not deserve to be in the lineup

Dear Dennis, Dennis, you seem to me to be a soccer fan from the old school. Like the "94 ERA. So to you, the current USMNT is successful. You are happy to be mediocre in the world standing. Perhaps our current world ranking of 19th seems like a great success to you. Our success in the Confederations Cup was a fluke. Winning our group in the World Cup recently while only winning one game, is nothing to write home about. We owe any success to the talent of the players and not any genius of bob bradley. The truth is, bradleys shotty style of play and lack of understanding of formations, talent, and the international game hinder the USMNT from greater success. As far as the michael bradley arguemtn. You go ahead and claim that he is the best midfielder we have. His german league club, Moenchengladbach, is in last place. Aston Villa, who he is on loan to, is fighting not to get relegated. So if he is so good, why does he play for last place teams? Is all of Europe and the "big clubs" missing out on his taletn? The answer is NO! bradley is a mediocre player and not the best we have. I guess you tell us next that ricardo clark is our second best player. M bradley was ushered into the lineup when Bob bradley took over the USMNT. He is only playing becaus of the nepotism of his father. Dennis I seriosly doubt your understanding and knowledge of the game of soccer as the world plays it not bob bradley. The fact that you support bradley and the poor success he has had, is eveidence of your ignorance. Your support and claims abot Michael Bradley are the icing on the cake though. You site goals he has for his week european clubs as evidence he is a great midfielder but he lacks any real talent to play internatinoally or for a big or bigger club. Continue to support BB but will be sailing on a sinking ship!

@Dennis Mueller, your indefensible defense of Team Bradley simply makes me want to vomit, are you a stooge of MLS/SUM henchmen Flynn and Gulati who sent you here? A disgusting display of support for a program bulit on nepotism and cronyism that cries to be dismantled.

Dennis Mueller Bradley! Is that your last name? Because that is what it sounds like. Thank God that you are the lonely one percent versus 99% of true American fans that have the desire to see US Soccer to thrive and to be proud of. Your relative Bradley does not, he is a sellfish nepotist dirt bag. I am the CEO of my company and I'd fire anyone one of my managers blinded by nepotism, not able to see the company's interest. And where do you come from and having the balls to trying to refrain our "freedom of speach"?

Must excuse some of my spelling errors, wrote my comments in haste, I have only time to read not to write comments.