Bob Bradley will have to try hard to find the positive from tonight’s match, but if this is his final match and he does not have to, it will be a goodbye he will want to overlook.
The United States had some positive moments early but were dominated over the final 70 minutes of the match, with three struck posts and some poor finishing keeping the score 2-0, Brazil,
Brazil got a goal from Neymar in the 18-year-old’s debut, a first half stoppage time goal from Alexandre Pato ,and showcase performances from Paulo Henrique Ganso and David Luiz. And that was that story for Brazil: youth, being brought in to showcase themselves for the 2011 Copa América and 2012 London Olympics, rising to the occasion against a near-full U.S. team, winning 2-0 on Tuesday night.
The U.S. got to see some of their next generation, too. It was a tough debut, though, for Omar González, whose lack of foot-speed was exploited at the back. Alejandro Bedoya was a non-factor, while Brad Guzan came on to record a couple of strong second half saves.
But as the night ended at the New Meadowlands, thoughts turned to whether this was coach Bob Bradley’s final match running the national team. Bradley is linked with the vacant coaching position at Aston Villa, with his contract set to expire in December.