Postgame: US vs Egypt

Michael Bradley (c) was defiant in victory, slamming doubters for their lack of faith. Young Bradley delivered a father's day goal for his dad, US coach Bob Bradley, for the second year running.

Coming off the elation of a completely improbable US passage into the semi-final of the Confederations Cup, I find that I do not actually have much to say except that I am glad that the US has managed to answer some of their critics. I have never felt strongly either way about Bob Bradley, in part because reputable sources have repeatedly said his job was safe, and in part because coaching stability seems to generally benefit teams. It seems that coaches ought to be given time to learn and improve, so long as they haven't loss the dressing room and are not consistently producing unnacceptable results; after all, a competent coach will learn from his or her mistakes. Bradley seems to be doing this, to an extent.

However, I believe Bradley's defining quality is his stoic determination and emotional consistency. I don't imagine him as a great motivator, but I imagine that he exudes the the same resolute reliability in the dressing room as he displays in his conservative squad selection. A man's man, his faith is hard to win and hard to lose. This cuts both ways: his continued faith in Beasley has been an unqualified failure, while his trust in Dempsey seems a masterstroke. However, really there is little difference between the situtions.

Admittedly, Dempsey is the better player, and the stronger one mentially. Furthermore, Demspey had been showing signs of life that Beasley had not: I enjoyed Dempsey's ill advised by endearingly feisty showmanship towards the end of the Brazil game. Really, what is the beautiful game about without its beautiful moments? I know I certainly don't watch soccer for the "spirit" shown in gritty nill-nill draws, and Dempsey's audacity and cheeky defiance brightened an otherwise dismal game.

Bob Bradley was almost equally defiant in deciding who to field versus Egypt, resisting calls to start anything other than what he believed was his strongest line-up (with the possible exception of Brad Guzan). No one should have expected anything less from a coach with faith in his team. Thankfully, Bradley got it all right this third time around. Hopefully this victory will steel the USMNT's resolve and stoke their faith in the face of future obstacles-- particularly that of players without the same natural determination as team leaders like young Bradley and Landon Donovan. It is yet one more useful learning experience for coach and team.