Bob Bradley's conundrum heading into World Cup camp
by Steve Davis on May 14, 2010 3:31 PM EDT
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PrintYou're Bob Bradley. You have about two weeks in camp to establish a base of supreme fitness before a World Cup. Otherwise, you have two basic goals for the important camp in Princeton, N.J.:
1. To fine-tune the team. To polish and polish and leave no detail unattended.
2. To make the final roster selections. There are 30 players in camp. You probably know 20 or 21 who are definitely in your plans. But there are about 10 competing for the last two or three spots.
So, which is your top priority? Seems to me Bradley has a real choice to make here. In those two upcoming friendlies, does he play the guys that we all, essentially, know will form the core of the team? Or does he lean toward playing more of the bubble guys for further evaluation?
I wrote more about it for SI.com. Enjoy.
Oh, and stop pretending you are Bob Bradley. We got laws, you know?
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Play the starters
Without hesitation.
The choice between Robbie Rogers and Sacha Kljestan is fun for all of us to debate on message boards nationwide, and just going to a World Cup is going to be a great story for them to tell their grandkids someday. But if neither one is likely to see action in South Africa, or even make an 18-man gameday roster, then giving them significant playing time in the friendlies isn’t going to do anyone much good.
Landon and Jozy haven’t kicked the ball to each other in an actual match for many months. Dempsey and Buddle have probably never played on the same side together. Building chemistry among the starters is what needs to happen.
+1
Use the subs and fringe players as they will be used in SA, off the bench to provide a spark. There is no reason to start a player or give big minutes to a player who might not make the trip. Use training camp to evaluate them and maybe give them a shot in the second half of one of the games.
I'm not Happy About Rogers and Klejstan
Bobby Convey is in way better form than both of those tools right now and he has far more international experience than they do. BB should have brought Convey to the 30 man camp.
Rogers hasn’t done squat since looking like a “young rising talent” in MLS in 2008.
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by johnjahafanclub on May 16, 2010 2:02 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah agree with others
Play players in the roles that they will play in SA and see how they respond. Also important, though, would be to try out a half with Dempsey or Donovan up top. So I think the positioning of our starters is something that will be important and interesting.
Along those lines a little, I want to ask another question to anyone out there. Do you think Bob Bradley asks Clint Dempsey where he prefers to play? Because if Dempsey prefers playing up top, then I don’t see why he wouldn’t do it. Anyways, just wondering if anyone has heard where Dempsey prefers to play.
by I need more Esteban on May 17, 2010 2:45 PM EDT reply actions
I talked to Bradley ...
… about Dempsey four months back during the January training camp. That would have been a great question to ask. We mostly talked about how he plays the very same role for club and country, outside midfielder tucked slightly inside. Same basic roles and responsibilities. Generally, I don’t managers at this level ask players where they prefer. It’s really about where they fit. And having known Clint for a long time, I really don’t think he cares too much. … Again, wish I’d asked that specifically, though.
Not to repeat or state the obvious but:
As a soccer player, I know that developing chemistry is absolutely essential.
Bradley must have the starters develop chemistry in an actual game situation that will be realistic to the one in SA.
Play the starters
I think Bob should play the guys who will be playing next month. You can mix and match as needed to try and find your depth and your 2nd striker. But don’t tinker with the midfield and back four too much. I don’t mind sitting out the guys who have done this before like Donavon and Tim Howard for a few of these friendlies. Use your subs wisely so everyone stays healthy. :)
