The biggest silver lining from the U.S. National Team’s position after two World Cup games is its biggest cause for concern going into its third. The U.S. is somehow in position to advance from the Group of Death despite Michael Bradley’s play, not because of it. But now it faces heavily favored Germany with arguably its best player stuck in his worst slump.
Bradley, expected to be the team’s most impactful player coming into this World Cup, gave a Ralph Ellison Invisible Man performance in the opener, but the U.S. still beat Ghana. He was better in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Portugal, but his late turnover led to surrendering a heartbreaking 95th-minute equalizer.
Asked “Do you blame yourself for what happened?” in reference to the uncharacteristic giveaway, Bradley responded “Oh, I put my heart and soul into every game every time I step on the field. It’s a cruel game sometimes, you know? So again, I’m proud of that and proud of what I’m about every time I play. There’s certainly no regrets in my book.’’
The play in question was a poor first touch in midfield, a turnover that led to Cristiano Ronaldo sending in a cross Silvestre Varela headed home. The U.S. was seconds away from upsetting the fourth-ranked team in the world and clinching a berth in the Round of 16.
Bradley has been beaten up on social media and in the U.S. soccer community over one play, but in truth there were five U.S. defenders behind the ball and Portugal’s three attackers. A miscommunication between Geoff Cameron and Fabian Johnson which allowed Varela free was just as egregious.
But more concerning is Bradley’s slump extends back much further than his one millisecond gaffe.
At least, concerning to everybody except those in the U.S. camp.
“We’re not worried about him at all,’’ said center back Matt Besler. “He does so many things for the team. Whoever’s saying that he’s not playing that well, it certainly isn’t that way from us.
“He’s one of the most important players on our team, one of the best players on our team. There’s so much that goes through him and he has a lot on his shoulders; but I know that he wouldn’t have it any other way. He loves that responsibility and he’s doing just fine for us.”
But is it too much on his shoulders? Coach Jurgen Klinsmann not only left Landon Donovan home but scrapped the staid empty-bucket 4-4-2 formation (with Bradley, the Princeton native, as one of two deep-lying central midfielders) for either a 4-4-2 diamond or 4-2-3-1, both centered around and catering to Bradley as an attacking midfielder.
Truthfully, other than glimpses of brilliance — like the United States’ 2-2 draw against Mexico in an April friendly — he hasn’t been in his best form since leaving Serie A side Roma for MLS’ Toronto FC. Breaking out of his funk against Germany — and struggling Philipp Lahm, who looks miscast while playing out of position as a defensive midfielder instead of right back — would do wonders.
“I think everybody is just growing into this tournament,’’ Klinsmann said. “Michael’s undoubtedly one of our key players and he showed that [Sunday]. He has an engine that’s unbelievable. He’s covering up for other players all over the place. His vision and his passing is just outstanding. Here and there it’s not going to be a perfect game all the time. I’m not expecting perfect games from anybody.
“I expect they give everything they have, and when he makes a mistake the other guy is there to help him out. This is what happens in this team — when somebody’s making a mistake, he gets a clap on the shoulder and the other guy comes and helps him out. I’m absolutely sure Michael will grow big time into this tournament. There’s no better stage to do it than in the next game against Germany.’’