Bradley Out as National Team Boss

Bob Bradley, the head coach who led the United States Men’s National Team to its first clinch of a World Cup group stage since 1930, was relieved of his duties by the U.S. Soccer on Thursday.

The 53-year-old coach, who initially earned the job under the “interim” tag in 2007, took a program that quickly bowed out of the 2006 World Cup to unprecedented heights under his guidance, despite constant criticism of his tactics and player selection.

“We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years,” said U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati in a statement. “During his time as the head coach of our Men’s National Team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now was the right time for us to make a change.”

Bradley’s dismissal comes after a forgettable month of June for the National Team. On June 4th, Bradley curiously fielded a reserve-laden starting XI against World Cup champion Spain for an international friendly in Foxborough, MA, and watched his team get annihilated 4-0. A week later, his squad was upset by Panama 2-1 in the group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.  Although his side would rally to clinch a berth in the finals, it was visibly overmatched against a superior Mexico side in a comprehensive 4-2 loss – a result that left many to ponder whether Bradley was still the man for the job.

“It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob,” said Gulati. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

During his tenure, Bradley went 43-25-12 in four-plus years (2007-2011) with the National Team. In 2007, the Americans went on to win the Gold Cup, earning them a berth to the 2009 Confederations Cup – a tournament that saw them shock Spain in the semifinals with a 2-0 win, earning the U.S. its first-ever FIFA Cup final. The following year, Bradley steered the team to a first place finish in Group C of the 2010 World Cup, but fell to Ghana in the Round of 16.