US COACH LOOKING FORWARD TO ‘SPECIAL’ WEMBLEY TEST
Bob Bradley, coach of the US football team, cannot wait to step out onto the hallow turf at Wembley on Wednesday, and insists it will be a ‘special’ night for him and his team.
Last time America played at England’s home of football, in September 1994, Alan Shearer scored a brace as England ran out 2-0 victors.
“That we are going to be playing at Wembley will be so special, for me and the players,” Bradley beamed. “It has been 14 years since we played at Wembley, so we are all looking forward to it and excited.”
Under Bradley the US have won four of their last five games – against Poland, Switzerland, Sweden and South America – and drew against Mexico. Next month they take on Spain and Argentina before beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign against Barbados on June 15.
The 50-year-old, who has been in charge of the national team since December 2006, has identified Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Rio Ferdiand as the players his team need to be wary of in the friendly match.
He said: “We admire a lot of England’s players but certainly Wayne Rooney and Gerrard will be dangerous. Since Fabio Capello has been in control of the national team he has used Gerrard in the same role that he plays for Liverpool so well and now he is so important for England.
“Also Terry and Ferdinand – the two captains from the Champions League final – are players who have been such strong figures for their clubs this season.
“We admire these players and I think it is important ahead of our World Cup qualifiers to play against guys of that calibre.
“It will be a great test for us and we are excited to challenge ourselves against so many guys who have played not only in the Premier League but the Champions League too.
“It is important to take the opportunity to play against very good team. In the last year and a half we have been lucky in that we have played a lot of games in Europe, and we have been able to test ourselves.”
Bob Bradley, coach of the US football team, cannot wait to step out onto the hallow turf at Wembley on Wednesday, and insists it will be a ‘special’ night for him and his team.
Last time America played at England’s home of football, in September 1994, Alan Shearer scored a brace as England ran out 2-0 victors.
“That we are going to be playing at Wembley will be so special, for me and the players,” Bradley beamed. “It has been 14 years since we played at Wembley, so we are all looking forward to it and excited.”
Under Bradley the US have won four of their last five games – against Poland, Switzerland, Sweden and South America – and drew against Mexico. Next month they take on Spain and Argentina before beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign against Barbados on June 15.
The 50-year-old, who has been in charge of the national team since December 2006, has identified Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Rio Ferdiand as the players his team need to be wary of in the friendly match.
He said: “We admire a lot of England’s players but certainly Wayne Rooney and Gerrard will be dangerous. Since Fabio Capello has been in control of the national team he has used Gerrard in the same role that he plays for Liverpool so well and now he is so important for England.
“Also Terry and Ferdinand – the two captains from the Champions League final – are players who have been such strong figures for their clubs this season.
“We admire these players and I think it is important ahead of our World Cup qualifiers to play against guys of that calibre.
“It will be a great test for us and we are excited to challenge ourselves against so many guys who have played not only in the Premier League but the Champions League too.
“It is important to take the opportunity to play against very good team. In the last year and a half we have been lucky in that we have played a lot of games in Europe, and we have been able to test ourselves.”
Labels: America, Bob Bradley, England, football
