The State of US Soccer - Bob Bradley and the Copa America

By: Sam Story

It’s all happening so quickly!

At least that has to be the thought for US Soccer fans recently. After an impressive display at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last week, the US men’s soccer team is out, yet again, to keep the win streak alive under the tutelage of new manager Bob Bradley.

Next stop: Copa America

The tournament, consisting of 10 South American countries and two invitees, is the top continental soccer tournament in South America. Do I even need to say that the US and Mexico were lucky enough to “get the call?” I’ve tried to convince myself the tournament committee wanted to add two good teams, not just two countries who despise each other on the soccer pitch.

More important, though, is what has become of US soccer. It really has been an up-and-down ride the past 15 years or so, and incredibly frustrating for those who have followed or attempted to follow it. Let’s rewind it a bit, shall we?

1998 World Cup: US get destroyed. 1 goal in 3 games. 3 straight defeats. And people thought we were heading the right way?

2002 World Cup: Bring in new manager Bruce Arena and bear the fruits of former players’ labor. US stun Portugal 3-2, draw South Korea 1-1 and are trashed by Poland 3-1. It was good enough, as the US - on 4 points - moves on to the knockout stage.

Who is waiting? Mexico. 2-0 to the good guys and the US is in the quarterfinals.

From there it was Michael Ballack -the Chelsea star and German hero - sending the US out on a beautiful header.

2006 World Cup: Let’s just not speak of how the US scored only once. Italy had an own goal. It was bad, bad, bad.

Move ahead to now… Bruce Arena fired. Bob Bradley hired. And the US hasn’t been beaten since he took over.

It’s safe to say the US is heading in the right direction as Bradley made the wise decision to add as many Premiership (England’s top league) players to his side. Not that big of a deal, you might think. But do you think a player gets better training and coaching in the MLS or in the top league in England - or any major European league, for that matter? No wonder Bradley and Co. are doing so well.

No one said it would be easy though, especially with Bradley putting all of his eggs in the Gold Cup basket. The roster for the Copa America consists of considerably more youngsters and some of the US stars are not playing. But don’t let it fool you - the US is in good hands as long as Bradley is the manager. The real problems are…

Wagner Love, Robinho, Alex, Gabriel Heinze, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Lio Messi…You get the point.

It won’t be an easy haul, but it should be exciting.

It begins at 7:45 CT tonight as the US takes on Argentina.

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Sam Story is a freelance sportswriter.

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