[mlyons]

I don't get the idea that somehow you have to have been an elite player to be a good manager. Arsene Wenger was a borderline pro, with just twelve appearances in the Ligue 1 to his credit. Jose Mourinho never made it to a top-level club. Rafa Benitez topped out in Spain's second division. Even some of the guys we've been talking about as wishful thinking for the US job -- Carlos Queiroz and Luiz Felipe Scolari -- had unsuccessful playing careers. There seems to be very little correlation between how good a player someone is and how good a manager he is.

Criticize Bradley's selection policy and tactical decisions all you want; they're certainly not above reproach, and I think it's crazy how much playing time he's given guys like Beasley, Kljestan, Twellman, and Clark who haven't shown anything at the international level recently. But his lack of playing experience has nothing to do with it, and the bottom line is that he's achieved results as solid as anyone could reasonably expect, given the talent available to him. I think you're looking for a scapegoat. It's frustrating how few good players the US produces nowadays, but that has nothing to do with the man managing the national team (can you imagine someone blaming Fabio Capello for England not having any decent goalkeepers?) and everything to do with the policies of MLS and the USSF.