3 Positives From Loss To Brazil

The 4-1 scoreline of last weeks loss to Brazil may have been a little bit lopsided but that doesn't mean there weren't any positives to take from it add we head into todays match against Canada.  Let's take a look at the 3 of the best things that came out of the match.

Bradley continues to star - Coming on the heels of a solid season in Italy, Michael Bradley has continued his inspired play in the center of the park for the U.S. this summer.  The most notable improvement has come in his decision making in the final third.  Bradley has always been a hard tackler with a good work rate but he's now a more complete box-to-box player capable of unlocking the defense with an incisive pass.  The only question now is where in the midfield should Bradley be playing?  I feel like he should be a classic center mid who's expected to defend and contribute in the attack like a Patrick Viera or a Yaya Toure.  Bradley's position in todays match should be a sign of where he's going to be stationed during the World Cup cycle.

Gomez is a lock - Jozy Altidore is the national teams best forward and for too long he's been the only viable option up to, even when he's been struggling.  Gomez has been a beast in Mexico for the last few seasons and his goal scoring for Santos Laguna this year brought him back into the fold.  After his performance on Wednesday Gomez should expect to be a part of the national team setup for the foreseeable future.  He's a hard working forward with a knack for scoring goals which just happens to be something that the U.S. has struggled with under Klinsmann.  Gomez played so well that Klinsmann now has the option of playing two out-and-out strikers with confidence for the first time in his tenure.

Fabian Johnson excels again - Just as Bradley is using his excellent season at Chievo to boost his pay for the Nats, Fabian Johnson is continuing the strong play he showed at Hoffenhiem this season during this current run.  In fact, he's played so well that many people are already starting to forget the whole Timmy Chandler incident.  Maybe Johnson's play was the real reason Chandler turned down the call?  Either way you look at it Johnson had provided the type of two-way pay that has often been an issue for the American's.  When you combine Johnson's play with Cherundolo's slight dip in form (age?) it's beginning to look like the left fullback spot that has been an issue for American teams for as long as I can remember has actually become one of the strengths.

Checkout tonights match to see if these trends continue or if any new ones pop up and check back here for my post match thoughts.