Earlier this evening, USMNT coach Bob Bradley was a guest on Charlie Stillitano & Giorgio Chinaglia's soccer show on Sirius Radio. He didn't take calls from listeners but he patiently answered Stillitano's softball questions. (I think Charlie is Michael Bradley's godfather).
Bradley goes out of his way not to praise his son, and he said all of the midfielders who played did a fine job. I think we would all admit that the coach's kid would have really helped in the final. Not only would he have provided fresh legs, but he's probably one of the top four players on the team right now.
Regarding why he didn't go straight to a 4-5-1 after yielding the first goal at the start of the second half, Bradley mentioned that he thought the presence of two forwards would keep the Brasilian back line honest. He also stressed that he would not go into addressing personnel issues, but made vague reference that some players were perhaps not fit, not in form or not up to the task (bench was thin).
