CONCACAF Gold Cup
Bob Bradley’s future as United States head coach was plunged into doubt after his team suffered a monumental collapse to lose the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against hated rival Mexico.
The Americans took a 2-0 lead in the first half and looked to be on course to lift the trophy before Mexico launched a dramatic turnaround to win 4-2 at the Rose Bowl and book its place in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Mexico is a fast and skillful team, full of legs and youth and running and imagination. Their current FIFA world ranking of 28th is nonsense. They are justifiably at least 10 places ahead. Losing to them is no disgrace, but after holding a two-goal lead the USA had no answers once its Plan A was successfully combated by its rival. Now there are serious concerns, and serious doubts over whether Bradley will still be around next time they play.
American soccer is right to feel concerned right now and some serious improvements are certainly needed. Whether Bradley is the man deemed capable of pulling off another revival remains to be seen.
American soccer is right to feel concerned right now and some serious improvements are certainly needed. Whether Bradley is the man deemed capable of pulling off another revival remains to be seen.
