Michael Bradley Might Be Getting A Phone Call

((HT: Sportsnet/MLS))

If you ask Toronto FC about Saturday night's contest against Sporting KC, they'll come at you from a few different angles.

Head coach Ryan Nelsen will tell you about missed opportunities and a defense that wasn't helping matters, but the players will jump at head referee Ted Unkel and his spotty and inconsistent job performance.

He got some calls right, but others he got wrong and issued 8 cautions when, at times, it wasn't warranted.

“The referee was having trouble giving me calls and maybe it’s because they want me to learn how to play in MLS, and how the style of the league is here. However, I want them to know that I’m not going to roll over. … I’m not somebody who’s going to be a pushover. I want to be treated fairly like every other player,” the Reds' Gilberto told Sportsnet's John Molinaro after the match.

Here's the highlights where you won't see any of Unkel's goofs...


And TFC captain Michael Bradley was less than diplomatic after the match- much like Gilberto, but unlike his coach- demanding that the officiating fix itself post haste...

Here's Bradley's postgame that will, probably, get him a fine...

Yeah, Okay... We'll Talk About It, Too...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

The HQ had the feeling Twitter broke twice in, about, a half an hour Sunday when Clint Dempsey scored and then CR7 assisted in game-tying goal with ten seconds left in the USA-Portugal match for a salvaged 2-2 draw.

Let's relive that hell all over again, shall we...??? With analysis...


So, there's all the talk now of colluding with Germany Thursday so both advance (yeah, that NEVER has happened in the past) and Portugal can go home- which would be the biggest irony of it all.

The back line was a complete breakdown in the last possession and NBCSports analyzes with a Molly Ringwold reference
((HT: Dan Patrick Show/Audience Network))


Yeah, it feels like a loss- and with a country that has increased expectations- it should be...

Now, go and park that bus against Germany!!!

International Friendly Sunday Gives Some Answers

And yields more questions...

Will the guys at Team USA figure out their issues at the back...? They have another two weeks to figure it out...
The friendly in New Jersey against Turkey gave both teams a lot of offensive chances and the game could have been a lot more than the 2-1 final in favor of the stars and bars.

But Team USA showed some of the brilliance people expect...
((HT: ESPN))


And in the Belgium friendly with Sweden started with this shot from Romelu Lukaku
((HT: Footy Goals))


Looks like some folks are figuring it out...

So, Which USMNT Team Do We Believe In...???

((HT: ESPN))

The one where Michael Bradley showed what he does is world-class and Chris Wondolowski is back being an offensive force or the one that had the gaping hole directly in front of Nick Rimando for Rafa Marquez...???

The USMNT was up 2-0 at the break in Glendale last night, but gave up two in the second half to only leave the friendly with Mexico with a 2-2 draw.

Here's the highlights...


With a roster of Bradley, Defoe, and Julio Cesar, it might be a little early to say something
But these guys are good...

TFC hung on for a 2-1 win at Seattle and Defoe has only been in since the early part of the week...

Imagine what can happen with a lot of practice time...

Defoe, Bradley Introduced In Toronto

((HT: Sportsnet))

With Tim Leiweke taking over at MLSE for everything MLSE- including Toronto FC's woeful on-field status- they needed to make some kind of a splash in the MLS marketplace...

And the HQ thinks that the league getting Michael Bradley for US$10-million and bringing in Tottenham's Jermain Defoe certainly qualifies...

But, for those of you who understand this kind of thing, just because you sign stars doesn't mean instant success...

The LA Galaxy brought in Donovan and Beckham, but they needed a Juninho, a Keane, and a Ricketts to fill in the holes around them. That's the task ahead for TFC...

Here's Defoe's introduction...
"I have never been more excited, and more motivated, for any challenge in my career,” Bradley said at the press conference. “What they’re trying to build here is really special, something really unique and different from anywhere else in MLS and North American soccer.”
After seven straight losing seasons, it better be special...

Defoe will remain with Spurs until March 1 before joining the club. Bradley is expected to part in the club’s pre-season preparations, and TFC opens the 2014 MLS regular season March 15 at Seattle.

USMNT: Bradley Volleys Golazo In Russian Friendly

((HT: US Soccer))

Let's just look at the goal that tied it against the Russians...

The first time...


The stars and bars finished their friendly schedule 9-3-2 and there is room for optimism under Klinsmann...

Especially, if Dempsey and Donovan can suit up occasionally in tourneys that matter...