“We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years,” said Gulati. “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. It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

An announcement will be made on Friday as to where the USMNT will go next.

Yeah, this new is just shocking but not at all surprising really. More than likely the USSF has someone lined up to replace Bradley. I can’t imagine they’d go into these next friendlies in the fall without a permanent coach in place.

What do you all make of this news? Who do you want to see as the next head coach?

Whether it's from Freddy Adu or Clint Dempsey, all I want is a trophy. (Getty Images)

Let’s be real honest, the last month or so for the US Men’s National Team hasn’t been real pretty now has it? Wins over Canada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Panama are what the US can hang their hats on at the moment. Sure, that’s four wins that put the US in the final of the Gold Cup but are we really impressed with any of it so far? I don’t see too many of you jumping for joy at the moment at the way things have played out.

Yet here we are. Another CONCACAF Gold Cup and another finals clash with our rivals to the south, Mexico.

I may take heat over this but it really doesn’t matter how the USMNT does it this Saturday, as long as they win it, I’ll be happy. I’ll take another ugly performance or even a half-assed effort in the sake of downing Mexico.

It hasn’t been all that fun during the Gold Cup now has it? Ugly results while Mexico is putting a pounding on little teams left and right. Sure we had a little laugh at their poisoned chicken situation that saw a few guys get removed from the team. But that didn’t make a difference really for them.

We’ve questioned Bob Bradley and his tactics. Asked why he wouldn’t sub some players sooner. Pondered the why’s and the what if’s to no end really. No matter the many ways we’ve looked at things it always comes to the same result with this bunch, it just isn’t going to be sexy. Style points have never been Bradley’s thing either so at this point, expecting them is out of the question.

And for that I say, just win.

Winning usually forgives all transgressions in sports. For Bradley a Gold Cup win isn’t needed on his resume but it certainly won’t hurt it.

And for that I say, just win.

For Bradley it is go all in or just go home. Pull out no stops in this one and just get the result. I don’t care if Landon Donovan comes off the bench again in this one (hey it seems to work nicely). I don’t mind if even Freddy Adu makes another appearance. Just as long as the win comes with it and we see the US beat Mexico for another important trophy.

(Sure they beat the US in 2009 but as we all know that tournament was meaningless. Why CONCACAF continues to do this tournament every-other-year continues to baffle me and that will be another topic for another day. )

We know beating Mexico is never an easy thing no matter where the game is played (except for Columbus). In LA I’d be willing to be the stadium will be 60-40 or even 70-30, Mexican-American fans. Just a hunch. So rule out the home field advantage nonsense. So why not make it even sweeter for those Americans there to see the win.

At the end of the day, just win. That’s it. That’s all I care about.

I won’t go into tactics for the match or break down who I think should start or not. I’m not going to throw out some crazy stats on certain players (I’ll do that over at SBNation.com though later on, so watch out!). Just like the comments have said throughout, all I care about is the win. I can put aside how ugly this Cup run has been with a win Saturday at the Rose Bowl. I can throw away a few #fireBradley tweets saves on my laptop with a win.

Yup, for me, just win.

Things were pretty ugly for Tim Howard and the US against Spain. (Getty Images)

Like most of you, I sat through the US-Spain game on Saturday. It wasn’t enjoyable in any sense in the first half and while the second half got better it was still rather…ugh.

Generally I’m a fan of playing the top teams in the world. I am. You get to put your best out against their best. Only this time it wasn’t the case. Spain put a “B” squad out there and so did the US. It turned out their B was better than ours. Go figure. The effort was lacking from the US but in all honesty the young guys Bradley put out just were no match for who Spain had.

I know Bob Bradley stands behind his lineup and he had to make some tough choices given the fact that some guys were coming in after some taxing seasons aboard and others are in the middle of their season in MLS. Its never easy and I don’t pretend to know the team nearly as well as Bradley does.

But let’s go ahead and say it, the Spain result was ugly. Losing 4-0 to anyone at home is never a good way to go, especially before a major tournament like the Gold Cup.

Playing Spain wasn’t the best idea just three days before the start of the Gold Cup either. Sure it brought in loads of cash for the USSF but at what cost? While adding a couple million to the books seems nice it certainly didn’t make any new fans of the USMNT on Saturday. Little kids watching that game will be more inclined to cheer for Spain and their amazing goal scoring efforts than cheer for their homeland’s pathetic effort in the central part of the field.

But it is time to move on from that result. The US cannot worry about what went wrong and the few things that did go somewhat right in the second half. No, their attentions have to turn to Group C play. Canada. Guadeloupe. Panama. Three countries that would love nothing more to do than to cause all sorts of problems with the US and it’s fans in the coming weeks.

Guadeloupe has nothing to lose when playing the US. Canada would always love to beat their neighbor. And Panama always shows they can be a tough opponent in any competition.

Focusing on Canada is a start. The US has the Maple Leafs set for a battle tomorrow and a win there will easily help folks move away from the debacle that was the Spain game. With the way Costa Rica and Mexico opened up things yesterday, the US has to match those efforts in some capacity though. I’m not saying the US has to beat Canada, Guadeloupe, or Panama 5-0. No, but they do need to get the W’s convincingly here. The foot must firmly be placed on the gas pedal.

Having the likes of Landon Donovan, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, and Michael Bradley back in the starting eleven will certainly be a good thing. The defense should be a little more in line and the midfield should see loads more possession with Donovan, Deuce and Bradley.

I think the stage is still set for a US-Mexico final in this tournament but with the way Mexico looked in the second half, the US better have their A-game in all matches or else.

Juan Agudelo looks to impress tomorrow night against Chile. (Getty Images)

January friendlies are always about one thing, an eye on the future. This has never been more true than this year with head coach Bob Bradley calling an extremely young squad into camp ahead of the friendly this weekend in LA against Chile. This young group has an average age of 23.4 years!

The lack of experience on the international stage should be expected though from some of this bunch. With no Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley or Stuart Holden in camp Bradley is hoping this young bunch can give him an indication of what is to become of US Soccer over the next couple of years.

For Bradley he will be in his element. I’ve already heard reports that training has been going well and players are doing good. Bradley loves coaching young players, he’s always been good at it I think. With the pressures of a World Cup year off his back teaching the young players like he enjoys.

This is the first step in a four-year plan for Bradley. The young squad will be about building depth and finding hidden gems that can be brought into the main squad right away for this summer’s vital Gold Cup.

January friendlies in the past have seen the likes of Sacha Kljestan go from just a Chivas USA player to a hat-trick scorer in 2009. Last year we saw Alejandro Bedoya go from a little unknown player in a Swedish league to a rising National team star.

So who am I hoping to see break through here this weekend against Chile? For one I want to see the continued growth of New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo. His goal against South Africa back in November was special but we need to see more from the kid as we move forward. This is an excellent chance to do just that.

Hopefully we’ll also see growth in the defense with guys like Omar Gonzalez and Tim Ream. With few veterans on this squad it will be time for others to step up like FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea.

Chile won’t be an easy team to beat even if they are sending a relative “B” squad of their own. With as many fresh faces as the US squad, the young Chilian squad will be looking to impress their coach as well as they head into the new calendar year.

What are you hoping to see tomorrow night against Chile? Any new USMNT players out there than you’re hoping to see shine? Think we stand a good chance to beat Chile?

Brek Shea gets a call up for the US National Team. (Getty Images)

If you’re looking for some fresh faces in camp for Bob Bradley for the next two friendlies coming up against Poland and Colombia then think again. Bradley called in a boat load of usuals from Europe probably due to the MLS playoffs that are about to get underway.

Either way there wasn’t too many shockers. I was happy to see Eric Lichaj on the list. He’s a guy who needs to be on your radar if he isn’t already. The rest of you will likely be happy to finally see Jermaine Jones on the list. Hopefully this time we’ll actually see him in uniform.

Only a couple MLSers were called up and both were FC Dallas players, Heath Pearce and Brek Shea. I’ve been saying for a while how bad Bradley needed to call up Shea. My bet neither of those two will report to camp until after the Colorado match on the 9th of October.

But the biggest shocker for me was Eddie Johnson. I get not seeing Robbie Findley or Brian Ching but Johnson? Really? I thought we were done using him.

Here’s the roster, what do ya think?

GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Étienne), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (FC Schalke), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)

FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Eddie Johnson (Fulham)

Bob Bradley gets four more years as US manager. (Getty Images)

Four more years! That’s the cry, or yell depending on which camp you sit in today. U.S. Soccer has agreed to a contract extension with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley today. The news broke this evening to a flurry of comments across the net from Bradley haters and supporters.

Could US Soccer have done better with this? Sure but name one coach that would have been a good fit for the system right now? Yes Juregen Klinsmann was the attractive candidate out there that would have probably been the next coach had Bradley actually have taken a job in Europe this summer.

I know the haters will say its four more years of bad lineup choices, Jonathan Bornstein-like players, and questionable tactics. Most of Bradley’s losses in the last four years come against top level countries like Brazil, Italy, Argentina and Holland.

On the flip side you can’t deny what Bradley did for the US in the last four years by expanding the talent pool and bringing solid results. Winning CONCACAF qualifying, placing second in the Confederation’s Cup, winning their World Cup group. Those are results to be proud of and know that the US game has improved in the last four years.

There still is a lot of room to grow with Bradley and the next round has to be getting the team ready for winning another Gold Cup next summer. Bradley has a few friendlies this fall to begin that process. Hopefully he takes the time to once again give a chance to some new faces in the system. Its a lot of trial and error with Bradley but its for the best to do it like this.

I’m a bit of a fan of the extension for Bradley. While I have some issues with how he does things I don’t see a better coach for the US team than him right now. He knows the system better than anyone out there and he knows what it takes to win with the mix of players from MLS and abroad.

Getting to do another World Cup cycle is not easy and it typically does not yield great success but saying that I’d take stability over constant change any day.

This could turn out to be in that “worst kept secret” department before long. We all know the story four years ago when the US Soccer Federation dumped coach Bruce Arena after the 2006 World Cup in hopes to land a certain German legend that just guided his country deep into the tournament that year.

The story goes as we all remember that the USSF and it’s president Sunil Gulati couldn’t land Juergen Klinsmann and ended up going with Bob Bradley. They settled for Bradley in some cases. Some fans were okay with the move and others were disappointed a deal could not be done with Klinsmann.

We all know what Bradley has done in that four years. Beat Mexico a couple times, won the CONCACAF Gold Cup which lead to a trip to the Confederations’ Cup last year, which turned into a trip to the final in that tournament against Brazil. He also guided the US to the top of the CONCACAF qualifying group to get to the 2010 World Cup, and won Group C at the World Cup over favorite England. Yes the team crashed out in the round of 16 against Ghana and it was a big chance missed by Bradley and the US. But the facts remain Bradley did a heck of a job in four years as coach of the US.

But if you believe reports like this one, it seems like the flirting between the USSF and Klinsmann is back on though. We know Bradley met with Gulati this week and nothing came of it but now if Gulati and Klinsmann are meeting again it can only mean the USSF is once again courting the former striker.

I’m starting to think the obsession for Klinsmann by the USSF is one of a school-crush. You know the girl (or guy if you’re a lady reading this) you meet randomly and immediately fall for? You watch her around school or the office and think to yourself “this is the one,” and that they are the answers to your problems. You catch their attention a bit but they only lead you on and on and on. Before long the obsession is an ugly one that goes no where for you while they do nothing but take advantage.

I feel like Klinsmann is going to be that for the USSF here. Its a nice idea and believe me I’d take him as our next coach in a heartbeat but its just an obsession that worries the heck out of me right now. It almost appears not healthy for Gulati and the USSF. For a guy that is viewed as such a hot commodity why aren’t more clubs and countries around the world after him like we are? You’d think if someone wanted him so badly right now he’d be coaching somewhere and not sitting in California.

Then this all falls back to Bradley. The “what if” of not getting Klinsmann seems to yield another two or even four years with Bradley in my mind.

It feels too much like 2006 here right now. I say either make the serious pitch to Klinsmann and let Bradley go so you don’t have to keep stringing him along like this or keep Bradley for at least another two years. Time is wasting right now with the courting and hope of landing someone like Klinsmann.

I guess this coming week should shed some light into the subject a little more huh?

Bob Bradley shows interesting in the coaching job at Aston VIlla.

Its a back and forth thing with Bob Bradley right now. Either there is interest in him or he shows interest in something, whether it be the US National team or the current opening at EPL side Aston Villa.

This morning reports suggest the US boss is indeed interested in the Villa job.

“I think Aston Villa is a massive club with great history and a great following and those type of opportunities would of course be of interest,” Bradley told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I would certainly be honoured to have that conversation but I’m impressed with the way things have been handled so far and we’ll see what the future holds.”

The 52-year old coach hasn’t had any formal discussions with the Villa owners but is interested in having a meeting with them.

This report comes after a few days of silence out of the US and Bradley camps. A week or so ago there were several reports saying he was either done with the US or was moving on to England with Villa. None of those reports have turned out to be true just yet but it set off a flurry of bloggers and writers getting into it with one another on the topic.

I still believe Bradley won’t be back with the US for the next World Cup cycle but I’m also not so sure if going to England is the right move for him at this stage. Its a wait and see kind of thing right now as his contract runs through to the end of this year. There had been talks that he would be brought back for another World Cup cycle or at least a two year deal that would get him through the next Gold Cup.

Do you think Bradley’s interest in Villa will help get him the job or will he remain the coach here in the US?

Its been fun Bob, but its time to go. (Getty Images)

The result last night wasn’t great, 2-0 against a young and hungry Brazilian squad looking to show off for their new boss. The US put out a typical squad, one that was mostly there at the World Cup a couple months ago and one that could very well be the last that Bob Bradley puts together.

I won’t go into the game because really the friendly was pretty worthless for the US’s standpoint. The team had a day or so to get ready for it together, which isn’t nearly enough time no matter who you are facing. A few of the players like Landon Donovan have barely had a moment to rest since returning from South Africa so I’m sure the legs on some of these guys weren’t great.

Plus it was freakin’ Brazil. Had we faced the team that failed to get past the quarterfinals for the second straight World Cup then maybe the 2-0 loss would have felt worse to me this morning. But really this was a younger and more exciting Brazil and the result could have easily been worse.

But now the focus is all back on Bob Bradley, where he didn’t want it in the first place. Most expect this to be his last game as the head coach of the US team. Probably so as I can’t see the USSF re-doing his contract after last night. No, last night’s game wasn’t the total reason for that comment but it probably added to the list of reasons in their minds why he won’t be back for another World Cup cycle.

The US does need to move on from Bradley. I see that more than ever even though I’ve been one of his bigger fans out there. I knew all along he wouldn’t be back for the next World Cup but a part of me wanted to see it happen.

I’ve seen a lot of talk this morning about who the US needs to go to for their next coach.Yes the name Jurgen Klinsmann has been thrown out several million times and that’s fine.

The US needs a coach that first understands the US system as a whole. From youth levels and their issues to academies that are getting better in the MLS system, to the college system and finally to the pro levels with Major League Soccer. Understanding things from top to bottom and linking them up nicely won’t be easy but getting someone who can do that will definitely see success. Progressing the game on all levels is absolutely key for the next coach.

Is Klinsmann the answer? We’ll find out. Maybe there is someone else out there that would be an ever better fit. Someone under our nose even.

I’m just glad we’re able to debate these sort of things now days. Its like a “look how far we’ve come” sort-of-thing. Even 10 years ago I doubt we would have thought about our next US coach this much. I think only better things are coming for US soccer in terms of the coaching. The player levels have risen over the last decade and soon enough I believe the coaching levels will match it and we’ll see this thing really take off.