Posts Tagged ‘Bob Bradley’

Midfielder Holden becomes vital cog for U.S.

// May 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Stuart Holden is a key figure in Bob Bradley’s squad after transforming himself into one of the most exciting players in the United States over the past year.

Holden, born in Scotland but raised in Texas from the age of 10, began his professional career in the youth ranks at Sunderland in England.

His spell with the club was cut short when he was attacked outside a bar in Newcastle and suffered a fractured eye socket.

Holden returned to the States without having played a full league game for Sunderland and eventually got a contract with his local team in Major League Soccer (MLS), Houston Dynamo.

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Bradley proves safe and successful pair of hands

// May 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

When Bruce Arena quit after a disappointing United States campaign at the 2006 World Cup, Fabio Capello and Juergen Klinsmann were mentioned as possible replacements.

In the end, the U.S. went for the familiar — the tried and tested Bob Bradley.

Bradley, a studious man with a background in college soccer, was never going to generate the buzz of a big-name foreign coach but he knew the player pool well, knew the U.S. system and has now proved he knows how to get the best out of both.

Qualifying for the World Cup is expected these days for the U.S. but beating European champions Spain on the way to the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year was a pleasant surprise to even the country’s most optimistic fans.

Bradley, 52, already has 30 years of coaching experience, having started at Ohio University at the age of 22.

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U.S. must decide first team to reach potential

// May 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The United States need to establish a first-choice line-up quickly if they are to transform the successes of the past year into a long run at the World Cup.

Victory over European champions Spain in the Confederations Cup last year gave a huge boost to the self-belief of Bob Bradley’s squad and this was followed by the U.S. taking a two-goal lead over Brazil in the final, before losing 3-2.

Qualification for the World Cup finals was achieved with relatively few complications. But the final match of the campaign, a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in October, may yet have an impact on the campaign in South Africa.

Although the result had no bearing on the U.S.’s qualification, the team suffered two serious injuries.

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