ISO -- A Finisher

Two games down and two losses. This one didn't have to be. The US lost an early chance to take a lead when Sacha Kljestan missed an open header off a beautiful cross. Other misses followed. Many other misses followed. And then, disaster. Jonathan Bornstein was trying to clear the ball back to Keller, Jimmy Conrad let the ball go by, and a Paraguayan pounced. Unlike the US, this fellow knew what to do with the ball, a frozen keeper and and open net. A 2-1 deficit gave Paraguay the opportunity to play 10 back of the ball and counterattck. Nonetheless, we had more chances. None were converted. (And the Paraguay keeper made a couple of solid saves. Unlike . . . well, see the post below.)

So one more game to go with this collection of guys. Some positives, some negatives (can't anyone score!), some porous defense.

10-0-1

Just a short post -- maybe generate some discussion.

Bob Bradley is 10-0-1 in his first six months at the helm of the USMNT. Thanks to Donovan's sure-footed placement of PKs and Benny Feilhaber's brilliant volley, the US defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Gold Cup final. Unlike what happened at the WC when the US fell behind late in the first half against Ghana, the team didn't quit and played hard and won, coming from behind. The mark of good coaching?

When Bradley was selected, there were some folks who were quite dismayed at the decision. Yet since his selection, we've seen the introduction of many new players into the pool of those from which the team is being created for different games and tournaments. It seems to me that he's taking a very methodological approach to putting together a team that will be better able to compete on a world stage, be it at the Confederations Cup in 09 or the WC a year later.

The team selected to play in the Copa America starting Thursday has several players with fewer than ten caps: Jonathan Bornstein, Jay DeMerit, Ricardo Clark, Justin Mapp, and Feilhaber (plus 11 other relatively inexperienced players). To a certain extent, Bradley's hands were tied by some players' club commitments. But as regards others, he seems to be saying: let's see who is available and able to compete at this level. So maybe the US doesn't get out of group play this time. To me, the goal is a better showing on an international stage in 09 and 10. And relying, as it seems we have for the past couple of WCs, on the same core group of players has not worked.