fear and loathing in Guatemala City

I have to admit a certain level of disappointment with the US performance against the Chapines last week. Many have focused on criticisms leveled at Bob Bradley's player selections while still other take issue with the tactics employed. My main concern was with the mentality with which it appeared the US players and staff seemed to come out in this match.

Looking over the rosters for these two teams and the most recent history of the US program, I find it a bit disconcerting that while we assert that we are on par with, and some even suggest above, Mexico we would still look utterly timid in a match of this ilk. On paper, and yes, I know how faulty it is to even base a sporting opinion on that all-too-often used phrase, the US 11 at the beginning of this match should have had advantages in experience and talent to outpace their opponents. This is where I think a question over the level of motivation for the US team comes in handy. I'm well aware of the old adage "win at home, draw on the road" but in our region, has it not become a little disingenuous to feed into that mentality anywhere outside of Saprissa and Azteca?

To that end, I wonder if el Bob has the capability to truly fire up the troops in the ways that great coaches do when they know their players could come out complacent or overconfident? Is it possible or even probable that he did more in his team talk to make our players more on edge and nervous about the game as opposed to convincing them they could, should and would win if they played to their strengths and obviously talents?

In contrast, look at the Women's win in Beijing. I don't know how many out there seriously thought the ladies would win this one especially after the 2-0 loss to Norway in the opener and Brazil's subsequent shellacking of ze Germans. One constant, however, in all of the coverage and comments out of the US camp at the Olympics was Pia Sundhage and her persistence that she knew what the team was capable of and that they would accomplish it. She was critical of her charges at times but also proved a capable motivator.

So I ask, is Bob not the type of coach to kick our guys in the rear to get them up for bigger games? Is he just a man with a plan to keep the US from losing winnable games? I don't know the answer but qualifying is a very harsh magnifying glass and mirror for all of your faults. I think the US has a great opportunity as well with the upcoming qualifier in Havana to face what should be an extremely intense environment with confidence instead of timidity.

What do you think? E-mail me (fcfetty [at] yahoo [dot] com) or comment with your thoughts and I'll cover them in this week's podcast.