USA 0, Brazil 2: Picking up the Pieces

Thank god this match didn't mean much, because past that, the US has few things to be proud of.  Sure, there were some small victories for the Yanks, such as the performances from Omar Gonzalez, Jonathan Spector, and Brad Guzan, who showed that they should be well in the picture for the next four years.

But Brazil's young, fast, and immensely talented squad reintroduced the "Joga Bonito" style back into the side, and Mano Menezes' side impressed after only one training session. 

The US, after a successful stint at the World Cup, dropped an egg on its home soil.  No player ratings this time.  But the three guys I mentioned earlier all played well enough to earn accolades.

What's coming next?  Steve Goff reports that a October 9 friendly against Poland in Chicago is nearly done, and then three days later the US will probably play Columbia, in Florida or the NYC area.

Bob Bradley to Aston Villa? Validity abounds...

With yesterday's sudden resigning of Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, rumors were sure to abound with hints and whispers of Bob Bradley taking over.  I expected it with the Fulham managerial search, but didn't report on it because it really didn't make sense.  But this one has a bit more validity to it when it comes down to it.  In a statement, Bob Bradley said

"I have said over and over as well that I am always excited about new and different challenges.  Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do."

Villa's AMERICAN owner Randy Lerner you can bet has dialed up Bradley, his representation (if he has any), and the United States Soccer Federation.

Aston Villa also features three Americans on its books (Brad Freidel, Brad Guzan, and Eric Lichaj), and also boasts a wealth of English talent including Three Lions internationals Luke Young, Steve Sidwell, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner, Ashley Young, Emile Heskey, and Steven Warnock.

I'm not sure it would be the best place for Bob Bradley to take over, considering their recent success and the high expectations that will come with that.  Also with Villa's EPL season beginning in just four days against West Ham United, things are going to have to move quite fast.  But Bradley's unwillingness to close the door on the move suggests that this is for real.

If Bradley is set to be unveiled for Villa expect an announcement Wednesday at the earliest.  This will allow Bradley and the USSF to concentrate on the Brazil match and also time for the USSF to lineup some replacements (Jurgen Klinsmann cough).  ESPN and Sky Sports both have Bradley labeled has having the lead for the position, and those are two of the more credible sources out there, not that that is saying much, but its better than MLS Rumors and Tribal Football.

Only time will tell, and so we wait.

USA vs Brazil Preview

Not a typical preview today.  This will be the fourth match-up between the two sides since September 2007, when Brazil won 4-2 in Chicago.  The other two match-ups were at last summers Confederations Cup where the US fell 3-0 in the group stages, but then held Brazil on the ropes for 45 minutes in the final game and succumbed 3-2.  Both teams bring experienced but exciting squads to camp but both only had one training session together.  MLSnet.com reported this as Brazil's first team choice in training:

-------------------------Victor

Rafael-----David Luiz-----Thiago Silva-----Daniel Alves

-----------------Ramires-----Lucas--------

Neymar----------------Ganso------------------Robinho

--------------------------Pato

That's a pretty intimidating front line.  Amazing that this is primarily their second team.  This lineup suggests a redirection in Brazilian football, back to their old "samba" style.  Neymar, Ganso, Rafael, and Pato are part of the youth movement that Brazil is sure to bring back in to the side which featured several aging veterans under former manager Dunga.  But Mano Menezes is instilling a side which is sure to feature more flashy players but who can still get the job done.

As for the United States, I reckon this could be the end/or close to the end of the Bob Bradley era.  One last go in front of the home fans.  At least, that's what I would like to see.  As far as a lineup goes, here is who I believe Bob Bradley will go with.

--------------------------Howard

Cherundolo-----Goodson-----Bocanegra-----Bornstein

-------------------Bradley---------Edu

Donovan----------------------------------------Feilhaber

-------------------Altidore-------Buddle

A dangerous but conservative lineup that gives the US the best chance to do damage against a young Brazilian back four.

Ticket sales have surpassed the 65,000 mark, so the stadium should be rocking and could come close to the capacity of 82,566. 

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Part Four: Applying a Formation

If you've been following along, in parts one-three we: Found the weaknesses, offered solutions to fix the weaknesses, and identified the strengths.  Now we will apply a formation that best suits the United States.

First let's name the starting 11:

GK: Tim Howard
RB: Steve Cherundolo
RCB: Jay DeMerit
LCB: Oguchi Onyewu
LB: Carlos Bocanegra
CDM: Jermaine Jones
CM: Michael Bradley
CM: Maurice Edu
RW: Landon Donovan
CF: Clint Dempsey
ST: Jozy Altidore

Remember, I discussed the possibility of using the "unbalanced" formation in an earlier post.  Several teams used unbalanced formations during the World Cup, including Brazil.  So here is how it would look:

--------------------------Howard

Cherundolo-----DeMerit-----Onyewu-----Bocanegra

---------------------------Jones

--------------Edu----------------------Bradley

--------------Dempsey------------------------Donovan

----------------------------------Altidore

Awkward looking, I know.  But it defends the left flank while providing proper compensation across the board.  Check lists are parts one-three.  This is temporary while Charlie Davies continues to recover in France.  When he comes back, assuming he is as good as he was before, then obviously we switch back to the 4-4-2 that we used to beat Spain and there after.  What say you?