The US handed a number of exciting prospects their debuts in January, beginning a new World Cup cycle with purpose even as the program faces long-term questions about its vision.
The many retrospectives on Landon Donovan’s miracle goal in Pretoria tend to dwarf the story of the game that goal earned. And all the heartache that came in the decade that followed.
Michael Bradley, with his 140 caps, 22 goals, eight years in Europe and multiple years as US Captain, may be booed upon his return to the US National Team tonight in Tampa.
Why his grace and legend deserve far better, and why those that scapegoat him for the US failure to qualify for the World Cup miss the mark.