You know what just struck me?

[Karl]

Yes I believe Michael Bradley is up to standards. I don't believe nepotism is at issue here. He deserves to start for the US plain and simple. Next to Donovan he is their top player in my opinion. Has nothing to do with media. The boy can play.

Whether giving Freddy the same amount of playing time as MB would make him shine I can't say either way.

What I will say however is that if Freddy wants MB playing time he has to earn it. Right now he is far from challenging for playing time for the men's national team. I personally don't even see how he makes the 2010 team with the return of Feilhaber from injury and Torres playing regularly for Pachuca. Those are two guys who can create extremely well from open play which is was what made Freddy unique to the player pool. Now that he has at minimum one guy (Feilhaber) who can fill his niche and another similar player who is playing regularly for his club just getting his feet wet with the national program (Torres) Freddy can no longer count on his potential gaining him opportunities with the national team. Those days are past I feel.

Zeppo and Paul Marin bring a good point that 2010 is far away so we'll see how it all pans out.

You also bring up a good point about Bradley and his tendency for reckless challenges. That is a part of his game he will have to improve when he plays for the national team.

It is interesting that he has never had this issue when he played with the Red Cows, Herenveen or his current club Monchengladbach. It is only with the national team that he does these late game cane cutting assaults.

You do wonder if with another coach if he would not be punished for this indiscipline or if they would see it as his father does the growing pains of a 21 year old. There maybe something psychological as well. I can imagine if you're playing for the national team and your father is the coach feeling a great responsibility to perform for him. Especially since whenever you don't play the game of your life people will be crying nepotism. (not a shot at you Jawge just in general) - T.K.

Giving Freddy the same amount of playing time as Bradley would destroy this US TEAM.

Freddy needs to know - You pass a lot then your one on ones become more valuable....more potent...helps your TEAM more/becomes more valuable to your TEAM.

He needs to get rid of thinking he is a star/he is all that/he is a top world player...or even among the top US players on this TEAM. He needs to come down from the clouds and see exactly where he is as a player and work to improve...be valuable to his TEAM!

[Bricktop]

Nothing. The Wonderlic test is useless in judging athlete performance.

[Muadib]

maybe for mindless sports...

[Peter R]

Yes..."HOLDING THEIR HANDS" as I said the game is played as much off as it is on; in fact probably more OFF than ON. I prefer to see athletes out there fighting it out on the fly...it's my preference, and NOTHING you you
say can change that bredrin...

characterise my perspective how you want; diss my opinion of what an athlete is if you wish... my opinion won't change so just let it go... and I am enjoying football (the real one) cricket, rugby, ice hockey, tennis, track & field to name a few... maybe you should open your mind to the reality that not everyone thinks like you and you can characterise that however you would like.