U.S. men's soccer drops head coach Bob Bradley

After a disappointing 2010 World Cup exit and a collapse in the Gold Cup final this summer, Bob Bradley will no longer be head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, a statement from U.S. Soccer said Thursday.

Bradley’s five years included a 43-25-12 record and a Round of 16 appearance in last summer’s World Cup before the U.S. was eliminated by Ghana. Last month, the U.S. suffered its first ever loss in Gold Cup group play to Panama and blew a 2-0 lead over Mexico in the final in a 4-2 loss at the Rose Bowl.

“We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years,” U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said in the statement. “During his time as the head coach of our men’s national team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now was the right time for us to make a change. It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

The decision to part ways with Bradley was made after a meeting at the Home Depot Center in Carson with Gulati, Bradley and U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn.

The highlight of Bradley’s tenure was a second-place finish in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In that tournament, the U.S. handed the world’s top team, Spain, an attention-grabbing upset. In the final, Bradley’s team grabbed a 2-0 lead over Brazil before falling 3-2.

U.S. Soccer said there would be an announcement on Friday; perhaps it will be to name a new head coach.

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-- Douglas Farmer

Photo: Bob Bradley during a team practice in August 2010. Credit: Rich Schultz / Associated Press