When you train for an event or for a full season or whatever, you’d like the curve to look something like this: Start slowly with a lightweight foe, graduated to mid-level competition and then ramp up to the high-quality stuff.
Some insight on writing the U.S.-Spain preview for SI.com
Well, the U.S. national team’s big summer looks like an inverted curve.
Saturday’s clash against peerless Spain is an extremely fast start to a fascinating month. In this inverted arc of competitive quality, the United States starts against the world’s best, ramps down a little against a decent middleweight (Canada to open the Gold Cup on Tuesday) and then meets two manageable sides in Panama and Guadeloupe. Yes, I understand that Guadeloupe was a decent team at the last Gold Cup, but it’s still one the U.S. should handle.
From there, unless things have gone terribly wrong, the level of competition trends back up with Gold Cup quarterfinals and semifinals before a possible final against Mexico on June 25 inside the Rose Bowl.
What it all means in the short term: Picking Saturday’s lineup against Spain is quite tricky. I write more about it all here at SI.com’s U.S.-Spain preview.
Keep reading for a little more on this …
I’ll let you read the preview for yourself. I didn’t exactly get to the bottom of what kind of lineup Bradley might use, but did pick up enough hints.
Why am I scrapping for hints? Because I’m doing all this over the phone, rather than on-site in Cary, N.C., which means somewhat limited access. Meanwhile, some reporters on site need to get after it! C’mon, guys! Nobody is asking Bradley about this?
There he is, fellows, over there! He’s he older dude, bald on top, close cropped on the sides, probably wearing cleats and ankle socks and observing with a pensive stare.
Seriously, this is why journalists sometimes have to ask rather obvious questions. The journos on site fall into one of two categories: local reporters who wouldn't know Maurice Edu from the Famous Maurice Flea Circus, and more experienced soccer scribes who are assuming that Bradley will roll out his best against Spain.
My best guess is that Bradley will prioritize the Gold Cup opener. Yes, it’s a bold play considering Spain’s incomparable quality. And, yes, he’ll face withering criticism if events at Gillette Stadium turn into a Saturday night massacre. But how much more criticism will he face if the starters are worn and then lose to Canada on Tuesday?
Like I said, it’s a tough call.
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