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By Kayla
Today it was announced by ussoccer.com that Bob Bradley, coach of the US Men's national soccer team, has been relieved of his duties. US Soccer President Sunil Gulati made the announcement today after meeting with Bradley and US Soccer CEO Dan Flynn at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The announcement comes five years into Bradley's tenure as the coach, during which he led the team to some notable victories and disappointing losses. A replacement has not yet been named but is likely to be announced by Gulati tomorrow.
Before heading USA's national team, Bradley began his coaching career in college soccer, landing his first coaching gig at the ripe age of 22 at Ohio University after participating in their sports management program. He was eventually lured away by Bruce Arena and filled in as Arena's assistant while Arena headed up the University of Virginia. Shortly after, Bradley served his longest tenure to date at his alma mater, Princeton University, where he brought the team two titles in the Ivy League and also brought them to the NCAA Final Four in 1993.Bob Bradley paired up with Bruce Arena again for his first foray into the newly formed Major League Soccer league to serve as Arena's assistant at D.C. United. He soon after became manager of the expansion team, Chicago Fire and led them to win a double in 1998 (MLS Cup and US Open Cup), which earned him a MLS Coach of the Year trophy. He won another US Open Cup for the Fire before he went on to coach the MetroStars. He took the MetroStars from their underachieving status to their first Open Cup final in the club's history before moving on to manage Chivas USA, where he took them to a third place finish after a loss to Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference.
Bradley first began his post as the US Men's coach in December 2006, taking over Bruce Arena's post after the men's disappointing showing at the World Cup. Bradley was interim until May of 2007, when he officially earned the title of the manager, despite much speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann would be named the head coach. During his time as coach for the USMNT, Bradley brought the team Gold Cup victory in 2007 after a 2-0 win over Mexico in the final, which led the team to a runner-up spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup after defeating #1 ranked Spain and ending their 35 match streak. Bradley also brought the US to the 2010 World Cup, where the team won their group for the first time since 1930, a major moment for the US with Landon Donovan's last second goal against Algeria.Unfortunately, the US has seemed to be on a decline since their World Cup appearance. What can only be speculated as the final straw was the US's 4-2 loss to Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup final, where the US has a 2-0 lead in the first half of the match that brought about a Mexico rally with four unanswered goals. Here we are a month after that defeat, with the manager's post vacated until an official announcement brings about a replacement.
Bob Bradley has received a great amount of criticism for his coaching during his few years as the manager of the US Men's team, but he has helped the team grow and has propelled them to new heights in the arena of world football. In a transition period for US Men's soccer, let us not forget the acheivements Bob Bradley brought to the team and to the country.
At this point we can only hope his replacement will carry on the pattern of progress and propel the team to reach goals that were just a little out of reach under Bradley's command.
Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog. She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com
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