Bob Bradley

After the collapse in Germany, America needs him. But for how long?

IN THE CROSSHAIRS
THE BRADLEY FILE
OVERALL RECORD 124—94—54
One MLS Cup, Two U.S. Open Cups
Two-time MLS Coach of the Year

Hey, Bob Bradley, Uncle Sam wants you! For a few months, anyway. The abysmal showing by the U.S. team at the 2006 World Cup not only ended American soccer's recent run of good feelings, it also ended Bruce Arena's eight-year reign as national team coach. And when headline-grabbing candidate Jürgen Klinsmann nixed a deal at the 11th hour, Bradley got the call. But like most everything connected to U.S. soccer, there's a catch: Bradley's title comes with the prefix "interim." Despite the less-than-ideal terms, the winningest coach in MLS history dropped his day job and agreed to an intense 150-day audition. "Everyone on the national team is essentially interim," says U.S. Soccer Federation chief Sunil Gulati. But Bradley is playing for keeps.

1. NEW PATH?
Unrealistic expectations and one (actual) goal in Germany spelled the end for Arena. The plan going forward was to land a big-name coach, revamp talent development and recapture the magic in time for South Africa 2010. Six months later, the Yanks had fallen to 31st in the FIFA rankings (their lowest showing since 1999) and named an interim coach who's been called an Arena clone—which isn't all bad. "They share philosophies but communicate differently" says veteran midfielder Chris Armas, who's played for both men. "And if he's a lot lik e Bruce, isn't that a good thing? Bruce is the best coach this country has ever had."

2. TASKMASTER
The workload of a national team coach is massive and bedeviled by details. Not only must Bradley motivate pros to jell as a squad within a short time frame, he must also integrate young talent, plan lineups and set strategies. He pushed those buttons perfectly against Mexico on Feb. 7, winning 2-0 despite fielding a relatively green team. International relations are also key. Bradley wisely let vets DaMarcus Beasley (battling for PT at Manchester City) and Oguchi Onyewu (breaking in at Newcastle) stay overseas, knowing that if his guys aren't getting any run with their clubs, they'll likely be useless at the international level.

3. THE FINALISTS
Despite his posting 124 MLS wins and being the only two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Bradley's resume does have gaps. In his two-plus seasons with the MetroStars, they never reached the second round of the playoffs. Near the end, fans chanted "Fire Bradley!" and in 2005, then-GM Alexi Lalas obliged. Which explains why Lalas says Bradley's appointment was "not the sexy choice." Perhaps, but Bradley's national team stint kicked off with back-to-back victories, making him the first U.S. coach since 1930 to win his first two matches. So why the "interim " tag? USSF officials aren't saying much, but after the debacle in Germany, they're desperate for positive headlines. That's why Argentine coach José Pekerman, Olympique Lyon's Gérard Houllier and Man U assistant Carlos Queiroz are still rumored to be in the running.

4. ADIOS, CHIVAS
It's virtually an afterthought, but the biggest loser in Bradley's being promoted is Chivas USA. Last season the coach inspired a monumental turnaround at Chivas, leading a team that went 4—22—6 in 2005 to a 10—9—13 record and playoff berth. And Bradley's team had flair. Chivas finished among the top three in goals (45), assists (44) and shots on goal (17 4 ). As a result he took home his second Coach of the Year award. In no other American sport would a professional coach leave his position to take over the national team, but in soccer there is no higher honor. So where does this leave Chivas? "When we hired Bob, we had a dying kid in the hospital, and Bob saved him," says Chivas co-owner Antonio Cué. "Now we have to start over."

5. A FAMILY AFFAIR
Not only is Bradley fighting to distinguish himself among his more famous colleagues, he's also not even the biggest name in his own family. Younger brother Scott, a nine-year MLB veteran, caught Randy Johnson's 1990 no-hitter, and youngest brother Jeff is a sportswriter who covers baseball, golf and (until recently) U.S. soccer for this magazine. And son Michael, 19, plays in the Dutch Eredivisie and has already been capped for the senior national team. "Coaching Michael on the national team would be incredibly special," says Bob, "but he's got to earn it." More to the point, Dad's gotta keep the job long enough to see it happen.

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