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 The much-ballyhooed "summer of soccer" has come and gone, and, without pausing for breath, we boldly plunge on into: the MLS playoff race and battle for the cup, Euro-yanks returning to action, and four more years with Bob.
Meet the New Boss
After all the hemming and hawing and endless debate about foreign managers magically transforming the team was done, Sunil Gulati and the USSF handed the reins of the US Men's National Team back to Bob Bradley. Though some questioned his line-up choices in the World Cup and the relative merits of a more "name" coach, the biggest worry surrounding Bradley's continuation at the helm is the curse of the second go-around. Not many national bosses have found success being in charge of any program for a second cycle.
US soccer fans don't have to look very far back or to foreign shores to see the evidence for themselves; Bradley's predecessor, Bruce Arena, followed up his 2002 quarterfinal run with a meek group-stage crash-out in 2006. Were the players too comfortable? Did he stick with his veterans too long at the expense of younger talent and fresher blood? Was he jaded himself? Skeptics may point to the (mostly WC2010 veteran) US side that got hammered by a youthful, new-look Brazil at the beginning of August to see the danger looming. Does Bradley see it too? Can he steer clear of those jagged rocks?
Do the Galactic Slide!
Speaking of Arena, it seems his once-dominant Galaxy continue to slide off the rails in Major League Soccer. They're not exactly falling apart completely, but the once rock-solid defense is suddenly shipping goals, Buddle's production has dried up, and the chasing pack are creeping closer, smelling blood in the water. Loathe as I am to make the comparison, this has all the earmarks of the Supporters' Shield-winning DC United sides of a few years ago.
How does it happen? A long patch of dominance resulting in a comfortable lead atop the table followed by the inevitable wear of fixture congestion, injuries, and complacency. The result? They may hang onto the Shield, particularly given their main rivals' continued participation in the Champions' League and all the home matches they have remaining on the schedule, but will probably be bounced from MLS Cup in the early stages.
A Paucity of Movement
Working in the Galaxy's favor, however, will be the fact that they managed to hang onto Landon Donovan through the transfer window. In fact, there was precious little movement amongst the fraternity of Yanks abroad. Excepting Beasley's move to Hanover and the early-summer move of Kljestan to Anderlecht, what to make of the lack of interest in World Cup veterans like Feilhaber and DeMerit (though rumors of the later suggest a move to Wolfsburg)? Surely Johnson and Altidore will find their minutes limited after failing to secure loan moves? And what of poor, discarded Freddie Adu, banging around Europe in search of a home?
Looking Ahead
So what should we be looking forward to in the month to come?
- How much will the Champion's League hurt title contenders in MLS? RSL and Columbus are genuine threats to take the Supporters' Shield, but will fixture congestion not only doom their chances in the regular season but weaken them for the playoffs as well?
- Assuming the Champions' League hits the Crew and RSL hard and that the Galaxy's slide continues (or if Beckham's impending return throws them completely clear of the tracks), does that make FC Dallas the front-runners not only to skate away with the Shield but MLS Cup as well?
- How many Yanks abroad, particularly those who start for the national team, will be picking up genuine minutes as the Euro-season gets chugging along? Dempsey's seen his role somewhat reduced under Mark Hughes. What about the likes of Onyewu? Altidore? Can Davies make a return to form with Sochaux?
And that wraps up "State of the States" for this month. Thanks for reading, and we'll see you around this time next month.
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