Thursday, December 14, 2006

Boyish Bradley?


Impressions count for a lot. For example, in this recent piece in Newsweek, the author bemoans the state of U.S. soccer, including among other complaints that the national team has settled for Bob Bradley as coach. Besides the dubious premise of using Freddy Adu as a metaphor for the U.S. team, there's a rather odd comparison of Jurgen Klinsmann and Bradley, in which Bradley is referred to as the "bright, young American". The implied contrast casts Klinsmann as the sage, experienced foreign coach.

Except that Bradley was born March 3, 1958, while Klinsmann's birthdate is July 30, 1964.

Bradley started coaching at 22, before Klinsmann even began his pro career (he signed with Stutgart Kickers at 17). Bradley has worked with American players in the college ranks, on the Olympic team, and led three different MLS teams. He has years of practice as a coach, while Klinsmann has had exactly one job in that capacity.

Yet Bradley is the one viewed by some as young and inexperienced. It's baffling.

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