Michael Bradley the glue as U.S. earns huge point in draw with Mexico

Michael Bradley and Carlos Vela scored the goals as the United States and Mexico fought to a draw at the Azteca.

The United States national went into a building where they’ve never won a game in World Cup qualifying and…still didn’t win. But a 1-1 draw against Mexico and the point that comes with it is more than good enough for an American squad with low expectations coming into the match.

Positives

For the better part of an hour, the American plan to flood the midfield and slow down the Mexican attack worked fairly well. After Michael Bradley’s stunning early goal, the U.S. looked to be about as comfortable…

Continue reading

Arena must get U.S. balance right for crucial WC qualifiers vs. T&T, Mexico

U.S. U-20 coach Tab Ramos laments their exit to Venezuela, but staunchly affirms the side’s immense talent for the future.

It’s a no-brainer that Christian Pulisic should start every time. But the right supporting cast will be key.

When Bruce Arena took the job as head coach of the United States men’s national team again, he had a pressing problem. The squad, languishing in last place after the first two Hexagonal round qualifiers, desperately needed points in their games against Honduras and Panama. A win and a draw later, the panic about reaching the 2018 World Cup has decreased if not entirely subsided.

Arena, however, finds himself with a new problem: Who should start in the midfield and forward spots?

The manager…

Continue reading

Toronto FC’s impressive winning streak a testament to talent, deep roster

Max Bretos recaps the best of Saturday’s MLS action, including Toronto FC’s club-record winning streak.

There is plenty to admire about Toronto FC’s six-game winning streak.

The Reds have won at home and on the road. They have proved to be adaptable, using multiple formations along the way. Toronto has logged plenty of frequent flyer miles in the process, having endured a cross-continent trip to Seattle; all while cramming the six wins into an absurd 22-day span.

As for how TFC have been able to string together this many victories, it has certainly helped that Toronto didn’t have a seven-plus-game…

Continue reading

Michael Bradley: MLS scheduling makes ‘you shake your head a little bit’

Tosaint Ricketts’ header proved the winner as Toronto outlasted Minnesota in a back-and-forth goal frenzy. Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley says Major League Soccer needs to improve its scheduling and travel policies.
He made the comments on Saturday after Toronto’s fifth game in 15 days, a stretch that included trips to Seattle and Columbus.
“The league has to find a better way to handle some of the logistics,” Bradley said after Toronto’s 3-2 victory over Minnesota United. “Two weeks in a row, we play on Wednesday night and we’re the first game on Saturday afternoon.
“When you see this stuff happen…

Continue reading

District Court dismisses class action against Bradley, Dempsey, Yedlin

ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman believes Christian Pulisic made a ‘massive statement’ with the fight he showed against Panama.

Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey were two of the players named in the class action lawsuit.
A class action lawsuit filed by three youth clubs against the MLS Players Union, as well as players Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, and DeAndre Yedlin has been dismissed by order of the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.
In dismissing the suit, the court ruled that it lacked personal jurisdiction over the MLSPU and specific jurisdiction over the players involved.
A third motion, asking for a change of venue to the U.S. District Court Massachusetts District, was rendered…

Continue reading

Bruce Arena’s simplified approach is just what the U.S. need right now

Julie Stewart-Binks and Kasey Keller recap the United States’ dominant victory over Honduras in World Cup Qualifying.

Let’s not overthink this as a certain tan, beach-loving, khaki-wearing German might. Let’s not summon every stat showing whether a player’s movement off the ball is instinctual or inadvertent. Let’s not bring in the sports psychologist to determine the exact location of a player’s comfort zone and how the hell he can get out of there.

Let us not debate how the U.S.’s 6-0 beatdown of an absolutely abysmal Honduras side will change the way people think about the sport in this country. Instead, let’s…

Continue reading

Bradley says U.S. team ready to reboot World Cup qualifying vs. Honduras

Tim Howard is amazed with Clint Dempsey’s recovery and happy to once again play under Bruce Arena.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – U.S. men’s national team captain Michael Bradley is looking at Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Honduras as “the beginning of our chance to put things right and get ourselves back in a good position.”
The U.S. currently sits at the bottom of its final round qualifying group, behind Trinidad & Tobago on goal difference.
The Americans dropped the first two qualifiers in the Hexagonal – 2-1 against Mexico and a 4-0 shellacking at the hands of Costa Rica – for the first time since…

Continue reading

Nagbe impresses, but US struggle to goalless draw in Arena’s return

A couple shots went just wide, but the U.S. couldn’t find the back of the net against Serbia in their first match of 2017.

FC’s Ian Darke and Taylor Twellman share their takeaways from the draw between the U.S. and Serbia as well as their standout performers.

U.S. head coach Bruce Arena was pleased with his side’s performance against Serbia despite the match ending scoreless.
Bruce Arena’s return to the sidelines with the U.S. Men’s National Team came in the form of a friendly against Serbia at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. With the stakes just a bit higher than in a usual January camp friendly, the Americans ended the day with a slightly dispiriting goalless draw.

United States

Serbia

0

0

FT

Game Details

Live football odds with bet365. Bet Now »

Highlights

GameCast

Lineups and Stats

Positives
A wave of enthusiasm swept in with Bruce Arena, as the one-time USMNT boss returned to the job after Jurgen Klinsmann’s dismissal, and there was at least some evidence of it on the field in San…

Continue reading

Bradley says blame for U.S. team stumbles is on everyone’s shoulders

Michael Bradley admits the USMNT form has slipped but refuses to pass blame to anyone specifically.
United States captain Michael Bradley said the blame for the national team’s slow start to the Hex phase of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying is on everyone’s shoulders.
Bradley, 29, believes that everyone on the team has let “too many things slip” in their first two matches of the Hex — a home loss to Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, and an away thrashing at the hands of Costa Rica that ultimately cost manager Jurgen Klinsmann his job. 
He told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview: “I think the best way…

Continue reading

Sacha Kljestan ready to fill U.S. attacking midfielder role

Sacha Kljestan tells ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman that Jesse Marsch told him he had to play like an MVP to help the Red Bulls.
New York Red Bulls’ Sacha Kljestan said he is ready to step up his game to be the creative, attack-minded midfielder that United States coach Bruce Arena is seeking.
Arena, who replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as manager this past November, said his priority is in finding a playmaker who can consistently create scoring chances.
Kljestan, 31, told ESPN FC’s Taylor Twellman that Arena has already encouraged him to fill that role.
“He said: ‘Just like you play with the Red Bulls, come in and do…

Continue reading

SIGN INTO YOUR ACCOUNT CREATE NEW ACCOUNT

 
×
CREATE ACCOUNT ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT?
 
×
FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?
AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
×

Go up