An abbreviated bunch of thoughts on the USA's 3-1 loss to Paraguay in the Copa America:

1.  Other than Kasey Keller, who are these guys?  Maybe I don't watch very much of the USMNT, but I have yet to see Twellman and Johnson play a decent game in the red, white and blue.

2.  The USA at least deserved to be on the pitch until the 93rd minute, and made some very good plays near the end of the game, but these guys need Turtle Wax their finish is so bad.

3.  Lee Nguyen gets beat on a 50-50 ball after just entering the game.  How does that happen?

4.  Paraguay has more offensive power than the USA's A team for sure.  Again, like the Argentina game, the "A" team may very well have lost this game as well.

5.  US Soccer will probably respond to the embarrassing performance by staying out of the Copa in the future.  It will be a mistake if they do so.

6.  I feel that Bob Bradley is like Dennis Conner in the 1983 America's Cup.  The best skipper in the world can't win a race in a slower boat.

7.  The US plays the "Swiss Cheese" defensive formation.  When will we learn that this is not basketball, and every chance, either for or against, is like a fight to the death?

*.  The best moment was the camera shot of the beautiful sunset in the 25th minute.  Did anyone else notice that?

* #2 Don't you just love Ray Hudson's calls?  Magnificent.

For 45 minutes, the USA looked on the verge of an upset--an upset being defined as a draw after 90, not a victory.  No USA team would have beaten Argentina last night.

All four tallies for Argentina were outstanding, and my favorite was Aimar's header in the 78th minute.  Argentina lulled the US to sleep on that one, then struck lightning-fast like a tiger in waiting.

Consistent play on the USA's end has been a problem since the knockout phase of the Gold Cup.  I don't fault Keller on any of those.  After Argentina went ahead, I thought the USA finally began to play timid and watched the show of professional soccer put on by Argentina.

My prediction was 1-1-1 and the US could still very well reach that and the next round. 

And yet, it seemed like there was nary a Gold Cup highlight on ESPN....  In fact, in the brief ESPN Deportes highlight featured an MLS game instead.  What was the real soccer story on Sunday, ESPN?

I don't think you can draw that many conclusions on viewership of the Stanley Cup Finals because a Canadian-based team was involved.  If there were two American teams, particularly a northeast US team, then I think there would have been more viewers.  I'm sure there are plenty of Canadian Expats in the United States, but they're not all from Ottawa. 

A US National Team game against a rival with millions of expats in the Mexican's favorite sport does not connotate the same feeling as a Stanley Cup finals between American and Canadian cities.  It's not that big a deal that American-based teams have won every year since 1993, but it is in Canada. 

If a US-Canada Olympic medal hockey game or WCOH Final had similar poor ratings as the Stanley Cup finals, then I would be more convinced that this means something significant.  There was plenty of national pride on the line with the Gold Cup, but I don't think many Americans watched the Stanley Cup hoping to see a Canadian team lose another finals.

I think the comparison is apples to oranges.  It does not mean anything.

A response to U.S. households tuned into Gold Cup final

Upon further review, I actually like that US Soccer has decided to send a lesser talented team to Copa America.  This is the challenge that us fans so far have spared Bradley becuase of the way his hiring was handled.  This is Bob's opportunity to show that he can coach.   Countries like England, France and Italy have to babysit superstars.  You don't have to impress upon any soccer-heavy nations' players the importance of going out and playing well for your country.  Well, one thing Americans can do is play well as underdogs or when no one else thinks they have a chance.

This is Bradley's Herb Brooks moment.  Herb Brooks ran afoul of USA Hockey from the day he got the job--he refused to bow to their player decisions and even benched or berated his own college players who won championships for him at Minnesota.  Bradley has a chance to show US Soccer that he won't be a yes-man or a syncophant, and that he is not an opinionated arrogant arse like Bruce Arena.

And, really, who cares about US Soccer's cred or our reputation to our Yankee-hating fellow American Continental brethren?  The Copa is in Venzuela for gosh sakes.  We don't need cred with these folks because they have none for us in the first place.  American soccer players are discounted from the moment they arrive on the pitch in Europe and Central and South America because of where they are from.   A team of American Soccer superstars would still be laughed at by CONMEBOL Countries.

Leadership can do amazing things.  I hope Bradley has a few tricks up his sleeves to make these mostly kids believe they can actually win a game at the Copa.  Stranger things have happened.  What American team of any caliber would have been thought to hold Italy to a draw with 9 men at the World Cup? 

The Crucible in Caracas awaits you, Mr. Bradley....

A response to U.S. goes young for Copa America

The New Orleans Saints released long-time players Willie Whitehead and "The Beer Man," Michael Lewis.  Thanks for your efforts, guys.  Whitehead, a defensive lineman from Auburn, had been with the team since the Ditka years, and Lewis was a Pro Bowl kickoff and punt returner. 

Whitehead was a versatile but limited player, who willingly played underneath when he was a better defensive end.  However, with Will Smith and Charles Grant, Whitehead's chances were limited in that area.  Don't be surprised to see Whitehead catch on with another NFL team before training camp.

Lewis' career is likely over.  He was always a fan favorite, having prepped at Grace King High School in Metairie, and has a soft and very humble demeanor.