|
|
Michael Bradley: The Experience We've Gained Will Help
The midfielder scored the first goal to help the Americans fight back and level versus Costa Rica.
Oct 15, 2009 3:37:07 AM
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Michael Bradley scored the United States Men's National Team's first goal in their comeback, 2-2 draw with Costa Rica Wednesday night in RFK Stadium, but he wasn't surprised the squad managed to net a second. In fact, he thought the team could get more.
"Even at halftime, we were all looking around at ourselves going 'if we get one, we're getting two and three,'" the U.S. Soccer Man of the Match told reporters after the game. "Tonight the third didn't come, but on another night it will."
His confidence came from the fact that the Americans were able to create a series of excellent chances during the opening 45 minutes, but struggled to finish and found themselves sitting in the locker room down a Brian Ruiz brace.
"We had decent stretches in the first half, we were able to create some good chances," Bradley said. "Obviously the end product wasn't good enough. Down 2-0 at halftime is never what you want, that's pretty clear, but I thought in the second half and even at the end of the first half when we were down 2-0 to push the game and to keep running and fighting and just to keep going."
The draw -- combined with Mexico's 2-2 tie at Trinidad's Hasely Crawford Stadium -- means the U.S. finish qualifying on top of the six-team Hexagonal Round. Although there's little chance the Stars and Stripes could earn a seed in next summer's tournament, Bradley and his teammates used the potential as motivation.
"To finish first is a great achievement," he said. "Maybe it gives us a little chance for a seed in the World Cup. If not, the experience that we've gained in these games here is certainly going to help us as we go forward."
One teammate, however, couldn't fully partake in the celebration. Oguchi "Gooch" Onyewu suffered a left patellar tendon late in the match, an injury that U.S. manager Bob Bradley thought would keep him out three to four months. Despite the injury, the A.C. Milan centerback remained in good spirits.
"At the end when everybody's in the locker room to look over and to see Gooch..." Bradley said. "I mean obviously I have the most respect for him as a person and a player in the world. He's not the kind of guy who's going to sulk. He's still in a good mood and happy for everybody and proud of everybody, but you never want to see that."
Noah Davis, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
"Even at halftime, we were all looking around at ourselves going 'if we get one, we're getting two and three,'" the U.S. Soccer Man of the Match told reporters after the game. "Tonight the third didn't come, but on another night it will."
His confidence came from the fact that the Americans were able to create a series of excellent chances during the opening 45 minutes, but struggled to finish and found themselves sitting in the locker room down a Brian Ruiz brace.
"We had decent stretches in the first half, we were able to create some good chances," Bradley said. "Obviously the end product wasn't good enough. Down 2-0 at halftime is never what you want, that's pretty clear, but I thought in the second half and even at the end of the first half when we were down 2-0 to push the game and to keep running and fighting and just to keep going."
The draw -- combined with Mexico's 2-2 tie at Trinidad's Hasely Crawford Stadium -- means the U.S. finish qualifying on top of the six-team Hexagonal Round. Although there's little chance the Stars and Stripes could earn a seed in next summer's tournament, Bradley and his teammates used the potential as motivation.
"To finish first is a great achievement," he said. "Maybe it gives us a little chance for a seed in the World Cup. If not, the experience that we've gained in these games here is certainly going to help us as we go forward."
One teammate, however, couldn't fully partake in the celebration. Oguchi "Gooch" Onyewu suffered a left patellar tendon late in the match, an injury that U.S. manager Bob Bradley thought would keep him out three to four months. Despite the injury, the A.C. Milan centerback remained in good spirits.
"At the end when everybody's in the locker room to look over and to see Gooch..." Bradley said. "I mean obviously I have the most respect for him as a person and a player in the world. He's not the kind of guy who's going to sulk. He's still in a good mood and happy for everybody and proud of everybody, but you never want to see that."
Noah Davis, Goal.com
Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!
Make Your Prediction Choose match
USA - Antigua and Barbuda
USA
Antigua and Barbuda
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
USA 8-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 14.09 %
-
USA 5-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.68 %
-
USA 4-0 Antigua and Barbuda
- 12.68 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.