“Wow. It really is amazing how much USA fans root for and celebrate the failures of their own players. Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis, Clint Dempsey and now Michael Bradley. They certainly don’t need more adversity – their own countrymen have them covered.”

User Alex_1ofBS on an ESPN comment string

Michael Bradley has moved from the Dutch league outfit Heerenveen to the German league, joining Borussia Monchengladbach.  As I read the story today I felt a sense of relief in seeing that one of the US’s recent staple players has taken a step up in quality of team.  I recognize that Bradley has had several lack-luster performances for the Nats, especially as of late, but I think the guy has the tools and has shown the talent to grow into a dependable performer at the national level. I’m not completely sold on him yet, but I still roll my eyes at those who rant about him only being on the team because he’s Bob’s son.

After reading the story I continued onto the comments section to see what people had to say about the move.  The ESPN comments section of any story is always either an alarming collection of vitrol or pleasent source of insight.  There’s usually very little in-between.  I was reading the usual assortment of anti-’any current USMNT player’ comments which were coming through with an especially deep vein of anger this time when I came across the comment above.  It was like a slap in the face.  It hit me especially hard because I have been a vocal opponant of a certain forward who has continued to be included on the roster despite an ever-growing list of ineffectual and half-assed seeming performances.  I felt ashamed…

for all of about two minutes.

What came next was a mixture of logic and flabergast-ation (I know it’s not a word, but roll with me on this one).  Some of the same crowd who were bashing Bradley for being ineffective have been completely indignant when any ESPN writer dares to question Eddie Johnson’s continued call-ups.  They claim he is still young and has so much potential.  What I realized was that my lack of enthusiasm at Johnson wearing the Red, White, and Blue has more to do with soccer and less to do with cheering for his failures.  I would LOVE for him to go on a hot streak and prove me wrong.  That would mean he was playing well and the Nats would be winning games.  I’m still willing to root for Bradley to succeed on the pitch because he’s young (21 to Johnson’s 24) and he’s shown some ability to be successful at the club level.  I know the Dutch league is no Fulham or Cardiff (note the sarcasm), but he’s been more effective than Johnson.  How someone can be critical of Bradley and yet believe that Eddie Johnson deserves to be continued to be called up I do not know.

The time has come to truly question Bob Bradley’s ability to guide us through the tough games required to perform well in a world cup, especially given his timidity and conservatism in roster selection against the minnow opponents that are CONCACAF, but Johnson’s continued selection over players such as Kenny Cooper is a major reason why.