Good Fight for the USA

I apologize for the length of this post but I wanted people to see what the USA could really have achieved had the coaching been even slightly better. All in all though, a good run for Team USA.

The first two games of the Round of 16 games had Uruguay and Ghana advancing. Uruguay took on South Korea in a match that was very well fought but saw Diego Forlan's squad advancing to the next round.

In the USA - Ghana game, it was a thriller. Donovan tied up the game in regulation from a Dempsey earned PK. The game would then go into extra time where Ghana's Gyan scored a fabulous goal 3 minutes into the first overtime period. It would also prove to the be the goal that would give Ghana their second straight win over the US in World Cup competition.

So, you may ask, why did the USA lose to Ghana again? Hopefully I can shed some light on this as an amateur Soccer player in the US with overseas experience as well. First off, I blame this result completely on the coaching staff. I haven't liked the job Bob Bradley has done and I really think the US soccer federation needs a strong European coach who has lots of knowledge in the game. Branching off this issue is where the other problems from the game arose. Why the hell was Clark starting????? Edu has been doing very well in previous game and he should have certainly started today. In a tournament like the World Cup, you don't start who you think did well in practice; you start who has been consistent in games, and that was Edu. Second, I have said this before and I will say it again - Edson Buddle IS a much better finisher/ striker than Findley. I don't know how many of you watch MLS soccer but I like to especially watch the strong teams like the Galaxy play. What I have been noticing in that team is that their really are three members of the team who are crucial to the club's success: Donovan, Beckham, and Buddle. Buddle can finish, he has the correct tendencies as a striker and I promise you had Bradley used Buddle more, we would be heading to the quarterfinals.

The third and final mistake Bradley made as a coach today was not starting Feilhaber. If your not going to play Buddle then at least start Feilhaber. The guy has had a fantastic tournament thus far and come-on he was BORN AND RAISED in Brazil. What more could you possibly ask for??? Brooks Peck seems to also feel Bradley needs to get the boot.

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