Confederations Cup: US’s Bradley Explains Sub Decision Against Brazil

Why didn’t the U.S. use its third sub against Brazil? Bob Bradley explains.

Jun 20, 2009 5:03:14 PM

More On : USA, Bob Bradley

Bob Bradley, US Men's National Team (Evans)

RUSTENBURG, South Africa – On Thursday night against Brazil, with the United States down to 10 men following Sacha Kljestan’s red card in the 57th minute, US coach Bob Bradley bucked conventional wisdom by only using two substitutions.

Don't Miss

It was a bizarre decision, considering how thoroughly Bradley’s side were beaten by the Seleçao. A new player might have injected a spark that was missing all evening or provided a different, more difficult-to-defend look. Furthermore, the team was playing on only three days’ rest—something Bradley and the US players mentioned repeatedly in their briefings—and had played 60 minutes of their opener with only ten men.

So why did the beleaguered US boss leave the final sub on the bench?

He answered the question at the team’s press conference on Saturday afternoon.

“So there’s 30 minutes left and you’re playing Brazil,” he said. “You’re down two goals and you’re down a man. Even in the best teams of the world, there would be players that would pack it in. But our players kept at it in a way that I think showed that we believe in what we’re doing, and I felt that it was a little reward to those guys to see it through.”

The United States, with no points from their first two matches, faces Egypt in their final group game on Sunday here the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Greg Lalas, Goal.com

For more on the U.S. National team visit Goal.com's U.S. National Team page.