JOHANNESBURG – U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati admitted the Americans’ World Cup performance did not meet his expectations, putting the status of head coach Bob Bradley in doubt.
Bradley, who will meet with Gulati over the next few days, faces the prospect of being relieved of the post he has held since December 2006 if he is unable to convince Gulati he is the right man for the job.
Gulati described the USA’s World Cup campaign as a “missed opportunity” after the Americans lost 2-1 to Ghana in extra time of last Saturday’s round-of-16 clash.
“The team is capable of more,” Gulati said. “I think the players know it. I think Bob knows it. At that level, we are disappointed we didn’t get to play another 90 minutes, at least.
“It is also a missed opportunity to stay in the American public’s eyes for another four, five, six days, maybe 10 days, when interest is at an all-time high.”
After he speaks to Bradley, Gulati will decide whether to hand Bradley the reins for another four years or to seek other options. The 52-year-old Bradley is under contract until December, although a decision on a long-term plan is likely to be decided well before then.
If Bradley departs, a high-profile European coach would likely be on U.S. Soccer’s shopping list. Former Germany boss Juergen Klinsmann, who came close to taking the USA job after the 2006 World Cup, would be a top candidate.
“We have a four-year contract [with Bradley], the end of the contract is the end of the year,” Gulati said. “I am not saying we are going to wait six months to make a decision. I would never, ever, ever allow that to happen. I want to sit down with Bob. That is the appropriate thing. I want to hear his views, express some of mine and see what makes sense.”
The initial goal for the U.S. was to get past the group stage, something the Americans managed to achieve thanks to Landon Donovan’s dramatic late winner against Algeria. However, the defeat to Ghana came as a bitter blow, especially with a potentially winnable matchup with Uruguay as the reward for victory.
Some of Bradley’s decisions, such as the choice to start Ricardo Clark in place of Maurice Edu in central midfield against Ghana, have come under scrutiny and criticism back home. Whether it is Bradley or another coach who takes the USA forward, the squad will be drastically different for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
For starters, the entire American defense could be ripped up. Goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Carlos Bocanegra are both considering retirement from the national team. Fellow defenders Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu and Steve Cherundolo will likely be past their best.
“I will have to go away and have a long think about it,” said Howard, when asked about his national team future. “Four years is a long time and I really don’t know what the future holds for me.”
Brad Guzan is a more than acceptable replacement between the posts. The understudy to former American No. 1 keeper Brad Friedel at Aston Villa in the English Premier League, Guzan is a high-class goalkeeper who is growing in stature. He should be ready to step into the first-choice role soon.
Bocanegra has been a proud servant to his country. The U.S. captain played his second World Cup here in South Africa, but it will almost certainly be his last.
“I would be pretty old in four years,” said Bocanegra, 31. “It is kind of hard to think that I would still be around, so I don’t know what happens next. It might be a case of where I just say it to the coach.
“But I don’t think I would ever completely rule myself out. If they were in a situation and they really needed someone, I don’t think I would ever say no.”
Cherundolo, the USA’s right back in all four games here, is already 31 and will likely have moved on by 2014. Jonathan Bornstein’s left-back spot could be challenged with a string of emerging players pushing for a place.
The backline is the area that has the greatest potential for change. A defensive four of Mexican-American left back Edgar Castillo, Los Angeles Galaxy youngsters Omar Gonzalez and Sean Franklin and New England Revolution right back Kevin Alston would be no surprise, especially if Gonzalez, Franklin and Alston head to bigger clubs in Europe.
A lot could happen over the next four years, yet there is a fair chance that a 32-year-old Landon Donovan and a 31-year-old Clint Dempsey could be the oldest players in the starting lineup, assuming they’re healthy and in form. Michael Bradley would be hitting his peak in central midfield, where he could be accompanied by a new face – Mikkel Diskerud, a tough and feisty Norwegian with an American passport and national team eligibility.
Up front, four more years of strength and experience should have established Jozy Altidore as a force to be reckoned. American fans will hope Charlie Davies quickly gets back to his best and cements a place in the team, too.
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