Source: Team_Talk
Bradley: We won't wind Wayne up
Coach Bob Bradley insists the United States will not try to wind up Wayne Rooney during Saturday's World Cup opener with England.[LNB] Bradley is a big fan of Rooney and the positive impact he has on the England side.[LNB]The other side of his game has been in the spotlight this week with Rooney's temperament again called into question after his yellow card against the Platinum Stars.[LNB]But Bradley will not try to capitalise on that side of Rooney's nature in Rustenburg.[LNB]He said: "I get asked the question about Wayne Rooney all the time.[LNB]"I have tremendous respect for Rooney and what he brings to England in so many ways.[LNB]"His effort, his competitiveness, his movement, his influence on that team is great.[LNB]"But we won't try and wind him up, no. We don't enter into all of that sort of thing."[LNB]Bradley believes the USA have developed significantly as a team since losing 2-0 to England at Wembley in May 2008.[LNB]He said: "Those kind of games provide good experiences although I don't believe we were overawed that night.[LNB]"We have grown as a team a lot since then. We have played a lot of top opponents and those kind of games continue to help us improve.[LNB]"There is a core of players that have been through all those experiences, including the Confederations Cup last summer and, from that point of view, I think our leadership is strong.[LNB]"Our ability to use those experiences, good ones, bad ones, knowing how to stick together, can stand us in good stead.[LNB]"We understand that when we all play as a team, when everyone is committed the right way, we can compete with the top teams."[LNB]Bradley believes Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey can play an important role for his side.[LNB]He said: "Landon and Clint are both important attacking players for us and we are very lucky they have the ability to play different roles.[LNB]"We have seen that with Clint at Fulham and with Landon at the LA Galaxy and with Everton on loan.[LNB]"That is something that allows us to have some tactical flexibility and something we hope we can use at some stage to our advantage."[LNB]Donovan, meanwhile, has warned England his side have the ability to produce something "special" on Saturday.[LNB]Donovan believes the USA will take great confidence from their performance in last summer's Confederations Cup - also played in South Africa - when they finished runners-up.[LNB]They eliminated Euro 2008 winners Spain before losing 3-2 to Brazil in the final after leading 2-0.[LNB]But Donovan is also aware there will still be plenty to play for in terms of qualification regardless of whether the USA win or lose against England.[LNB]He said: "2009 was helpful in that it gives us the belief that we can do something here.[LNB]"Aside from that, that is the past, and so our job now is to focus on the present.[LNB]"But we know we have the ability to be special and now the focus is on bringing that out of us every time we play.[LNB]"However, we also have to be aware of the the bigger picture in that this is just one of three games which are all equally important.[LNB]"We can win Saturday and not advance to the next round still and we can lose this game and still go through."[LNB]Donovan added: "Last year (in the Confederations Cup) we thought we were out after two games.[LNB]"Then we played well against Egypt and it changed everything. We have to keep the big picture in mind.[LNB]"I understand what this game means but there is more to it and we have to be ready to react no matter what happens on Saturday."[LNB]Donovan was inspired by the 1994 World Cup in his native country and wants to play a full part in ensuring the United States host it again in the near future.[LNB]He said: "I think of how soccer has developed and I know first hand how much we love this sport in our country and how much we have all put into it.[LNB]"I think we would all be excited at the opportunity of hosting another World Cup.[LNB]"My only regret would not to play in a World Cup in my own country.[LNB]"There is no greater place to hold a World Cup and a lot of my efforts recently and going forward will be to try and ensure we get another World Cup."
