Afternoon Update: Bob, Boca, ESPYs, and Diego

USMNT, Donovan win Espys


Last night, the USMNT victory over Algeria won the ESPY for Best Moment, beating out the Saints' Super Bowl win, Phil Mickleson's Masters win, and Joannie Rochette's Winter Olympics performance.  When you consider the kind of story lines attached to those other nominees, it's pretty impressive that the Yanks took home the prize, but I think it just shows how captivated all American sports fans were by their dramatic run in South Africa. 

Here's the video in case you missed it:



Landon Donovan went on to win the ESPY for Best MLS Player, as well another for performance under pressure.


Bocanegra Rumor

Back during the winter transfer window, Ligue 1 side St. Etienne expressed a great deal of interest in Carlos Bocanegra.  A deal seemed imminent but ultimately fell through, and Bocanegra eventually regained his starting spot with Stade Rennes.

After narrowly avoiding relegation, however, St. Etienne still appear to be pursuing Bocanegra to shore up their middling back line.  The move might mean a step down in the table for Boca, but it could mean more consistent playing time; competition at Rennes left him on the bench for a couple of significant stretches during the last season.


Maradona to 2014?

Following a run to the quarterfinals, the Argentina FA is planning to offer head coach Diego Maradona a new four year contract through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 

While Maradona did manage to lead his side to the quarterfinals, I do wonder how smart a move this would be from the AFA's perspective.  After all, let's not forget that it was under Maradona that Argentina almost failed to qualify for South Africa, needing a couple of late wins over Peru and Uruguay in their final qualifiers just to squeak into the field after losses to Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil.  He might be a passionate leader, but I still doubt his tactical and strategical prowess.  A "rah-rah" attitude might be able to inspire a team during a comparatively short tournament like the World Cup, but will that be enough to make up for his shortcomings over the course of a grueling qualification campaign?  I guess someone thinks so.  Color me skeptical, though.

The other factor in all of this is whether or not Maradona wants to return to the job.  The last two years at the helm of Argentina have been a roller coaster ride filled with emotion and criticism, and he may just want to step aside for a little while and get away from that pressure-filled role.


Bradley Not Contacted Yet

Per Steven Goff of the Washington Post, no clubs have formally contacted the USSF to request permission to speak with Bob Bradley, whose contract with US Soccer runs until the end of 2010.

That's not to say that there isn't interest, though.  Bradley's name has been linked to head coaching gigs in Europe, and I don't think he would have a problem getting a job in MLS if he wanted to, particularly with a couple of expansion sides coming into the league next season.  


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