One of the things that Bob Bradley’s detractors have focused on is his penchant for sticking to what he knows. Whether that’s going with a 4-4-2 while the rest of the world is evolving toward different types of five-midfielder formations or sticking with “his guys” even when they are failing to produce, Bradley has been -- is obtuse too strong a word?-- pretty static.
Looking For Signs Of Change In United States’ Friendly Versus Poland
It’s no guarantee that he’ll stick around long enough for him to coach at a second World Cup, but he can certainly make some strides toward converting some of his detractors by changing up a little for this two-match friendly set.
Our own Steve Davis outlines some of these themes at Daily Soccer Fix.
As for personnel, there are clearly two ways to go Saturday when the United States meets Poland in Chicago. Bradley could lean into the "W," which means relying on more of the old guard. (Bradley could start 11 players Saturday who played in the World Cup, in fact.) Or does he begin integrating more new faces, which might lead to a more disheveled match, but probably provides greater benefit in the long run?
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