Bradley: U.S. Knows How to Prepare for Mexico

By Noah Davis

In a radio interview with Glenn Davis, United States Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley discussed the upcoming match against Mexico. He noted that the squads, which play in a to-be-determined location in the U.S. on February 11, have faced off during the corresponding FIFA date each of the past two years.

"We are very aware of what type of game it will be with more on the line," the manager said. "The fact that we've been in that situation now before gives us a good sense of how to prepare ourselves."

He also hinted at the type of squad he'll call, mentioning that Major League Soccer isn't in season. "That time of year for MLS players is obviously a challenge because they aren't playing games," the coach explained, a sign that he'll call more European-based players for the vital fixture. (The U.S. team does have a training camp in January every year, partially because the MLS is out of season.)

With an increasing number of players heading to Europe but struggling to find time -- including Freddy Adu, Maurice Edu, and Jozy Altidore -- Bradly offered his thoughts on whether they should have stayed in the MLS. "Early in a player's career, the opportunity to get first team action, to get on the field, to get experience, I certainly think it's important," he said, before adding, "When you do change teams, there's a period where you have to establish yourself, and I don't think during that period you can always fully access the move."

Bradley, who admitted he missed the day-to-day aspects of coaching in MLS, said he hadn't had a chance to watch the entire Cup final between the New York Red Bull and the Columbus Crew. "I have it TiVo-ed and I've watched bits and pieces but I haven't sat and dissected the whole thing," he said. "My main thought is that on the whole, Columbus was the most consistent team from start to finish and they deserved to be champions this year."

While in South Africa for the draw of both the final round of CONCACAF World Cup 2010 qualifying and the Confederations Cup, Bradley had an opportunity to scout training venues for the Cup. After the draws, "I was with [U.S. Soccer managing director of administration] Tom King for the next three days as we worked with FIFA accommodations and started, well not started, continued looking at potential training sites for the World Cup," he said. "A lot of riding around a lot of looking at facilities."

He was pleased with the Nats success during the semifinal round, specifically pointing to the team's ability to move the ball forward in a "patient, smart way" against a bunkered down Trinidad and Tobago side in Chicago.

Bradley also noted the 1-0 victory in Guatemala as a high point. "After the game there was a strong feeling within the team," he explained. "We know that our job is to win."

Bradley responded with passion when asked whether he thought the team should get more attacking prowess out of central midfielders such as Bradley, Ricardo Clark, and Pablo Mastroeni. "I get annoyed with everybody that goes into that line of thinking," he said. "We have two-way players. Players that make it hard when the other team has the ball. Players that do a good job of finding some of our more attacking players and I find it hard to understand why that becomes such a topic all the time." A bit later, he pointed to a Manchester United squad that starts defensive-minded Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher. "Do you think there's a constant discussion about the need to be more attacking?" he asked. "They have guys in the center who are smart. Who are good passers. Who tactically are smart."

The manager also discussed his son Michael's role on his new club team, Borussia Monchengladbach. With both fatherly pride and the eye of a coach, the elder Bradley noted that "[Michael]'s started eight games and been on twice as a reserve but in the eight games he's started, they have eight points." (MB only have 11 on the season.)

Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.