Bradley not surprised position is under scrutiny

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AP) - United States coach Bob Bradley isn't surprised that his position is under scrutiny from some fans and commentators ahead of Sunday's must-win Confederations Cup match against Egypt.

Bradley's team needs to beat the African champions to have any chance of reaching the semifinals of the eight-team tournament but his ability to motivate and organize his players has been queried on internet blogs and fan forums.

That seems harsh after the United States only lost to World Cup holder Italy after playing 57 minutes with 10 men and then came up short against an in-form Brazil, but Bradley was expecting it.

"It goes with the job," Bradley said Saturday. "I believe strongly in the way we go about things on the inside and within our group we always make sure that when we're in something together there's a trust, there's a sense that even when things are swirling around on the outside none of that has anything to do with what we're doing on the inside and that's the nature of international soccer.

"In order to make sure that the team feels that, the coaching staff must show that every day."

The 3-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Costa Rica that preceded the Confederations Cup is unlikely to severely dent the United States' efforts to reach the 2010 tournament, but the pressure could really be on Bradley if his team loses against Mexico in its next match on Aug. 12.

Bradley was seen by some fans and commentators as a second-choice appointment in 2006 after Juergen Klinsmann turned down an approach but the former Chicago Fire, MetroStars and Chivas USA coach remains confident that his approach remains the right one.

"I've been in this long enough and have had experiences along the way where I've been tested in that regard and always come out very strong in terms of sticking to what I believe in," Bradley said. "Knowing what it's all about and making sure that the players understand what it means to compete and be fearless and not let anything else change what we're doing."