World Cup 2010: USA Post-Mortem

PRETORIA, South Africa -- The United States Men's National Team's 2010 World Cup campaign ended with a whimper on Saturday night in Rustenburg and a Sunday afternoon soundbyte.

"We look hard at last night's game and come away pretty empty," Bob Bradley said at a press conference a little more than 12 hours after a 2-1 defeat to Ghana bounced the Americans from the tournament in South Africa.  

The Black Stars sent the U.S. home for the second straight World Cup and while the Stars and Stripes reached the second round, they know they missed an opportunity to advance further. 

"I think coming out of the first round, we felt there was a real chance of doing something bigger," Bradley said. 

After winning Group C, the Red, White, and Blue found themselves the highest remaining seed in their quarter of the knockout round. Prevail against the only African nation remaining and they'd face Uruguay with a berth in the semifinal at stake. That achievement would have been a landmark accomplishment for the U.S. Soccer program.  

Instead, a fifth-minute tally by Kevin Prince Boateng -- the American's third early concession in four World Cup matches -- doomed the side, who only led for two minutes the entire tournament despite losing only once, to chase the game. Although Landon Donovan equalized with a penalty kick just after the hour mark, Andre Ayew tallied in the third minute of extra time, and the Stars and Stripes ran out of miracles. 

ht: 1px; overflow: hidden;">The U.S. return to the States earlier than they wanted, but the team can take solace in the fact that they inspired their nation to watch soccer for two weeks in June and played well throughout the tournament. 

"The spotlight comes on in this World Cup four times 90 minutes, and in those moments, in terms of us being a team and in all ways, everything from our mentality to the tactical side to the technical side, I certainly feel that now four times 90, that part was very good," Bradley said. "But, you also still recognize as you look at all that the areas that when you put it on the most difficult scale you still need to improve."

Despite the need to get better, there were real breakthroughs in South Africa. Donovan made amends for his dreadful 2006 World Cup by leading the squad and tallying three goals in the process. He earned himself (and Major League Soccer) a hefty payday. Jozy Altidore didn't score and tired against Ghana, but the 20 year old is learning to use his physical advantages to overwhelm defenders. If he ever figures out how to finish, he'll terrorize backlines in 2014. Michael Bradley demonstrated he could be one of the best central midfielders on the planet and will help anchor the Stars and Stripes at least through the next cycle.

Plenty of questions remain. The most pressing is the fate of Bob Bradley. The manager took over for Bruce Arena after the current Los Angeles Galaxy departed following the '06 disaster. He piloted the Stars and Stripes to multiple successes and inserted himself in the conversation for best U.S. coach of all time, but Europe beckons.

When asked about the future, Bradley was coy.

"At this time, it's too soon after the final whistle, and at this time I don't have anything more to say other than that there will be discussions," he said, but don't expect him to stick around. 

The Americans also need to find a striker who can score, a partner for Bradley, and eventually groom a playmaking heir for Donovan, who turns 32 in 2014. 

But the U.S. can deal with those queries later. For now, all that remains is a long flight home and thoughts of could have been. 

Noah Davis (@noahedavis) covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com and is reporting from the World Cup in South Africa.

"We look hard at last night's game and come away pretty empty," Bob Bradley said at a press conference a little more than 12 hours after a 2-1 defeat to Ghana bounced the Americans from the tournament in South Africa.  

The Black Stars sent the U.S. home for the second straight World Cup and while the Stars and Stripes reached the second round, they know they missed an opportunity to advance further. 

"I think coming out of the first round, we felt there was a real chance of doing something bigger," Bradley said. 

After winning Group C, the Red, White, and Blue found themselves the highest remaining seed in their quarter of the knockout round. Prevail against the only African nation remaining and they'd face Uruguay with a berth in the semifinal at stake. That achievement would have been a landmark accomplishment for the U.S. Soccer program.  

Instead, a fifth-minute tally by Kevin Prince Boateng -- the American's third early concession in four World Cup matches -- doomed the side, who only led for two minutes the entire tournament despite losing only once, to chase the game. Although Landon Donovan equalized with a penalty kick just after the hour mark, Asamoah Gyan tallied in the third minute of extra time, and the Stars and Stripes ran out of miracles. 

The U.S. return to the States earlier than they wanted, but the team can take solace in the fact that they inspired their nation to watch soccer for two weeks in June and played well throughout the tournament. 

"The spotlight comes on in this World Cup four times 90 minutes, and in those moments, in terms of us being a team and in all ways, everything from our mentality to the tactical side to the technical side, I certainly feel that now four times 90, that part was very good," Bradley said. "But, you also still recognize as you look at all that the areas that when you put it on the most difficult scale you still need to improve."

Despite the need to get better, there were real breakthroughs in South Africa. Donovan made amends for his dreadful 2006 World Cup by leading the squad and tallying three goals in the process. He earned himself (and Major League Soccer) a hefty payday. Jozy Altidore didn't score and tired against Ghana, but the 20 year old is learning to use his physical advantages to overwhelm defenders. If he ever figures out how to finish, he'll terrorize backlines in 2014. Michael Bradley demonstrated he could be one of the best central midfielders on the planet and will help anchor the Stars and Stripes at least through the next cycle.

Plenty of questions remain. The most pressing is the fate of Bob Bradley. The manager took over for Bruce Arena after the current Los Angeles Galaxy departed following the '06 disaster. He piloted the Stars and Stripes to multiple successes and inserted himself in the conversation for best U.S. coach of all time, but Europe beckons.

When asked about the future, Bradley stayed coy.

"At this time, it's too soon after the final whistle, and at this time I don't have anything more to say other than that there will be discussions," he said, but don't expect him to stick around. 

The Americans also need to find a striker who can score, a partner for Bradley, and eventually groom a playmaking heir for Donovan, who turns 32 in 2014. 

But the U.S. can deal with those queries later. For now, all that remains is a long flight home and thoughts of what could have been.