Bradley´s words of wisdom for absent son Michael

A key member of the United States that won’t be facing five-time world champions Brazil in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final here is coach Bob Bradley’s son, Michael, who was harshly sent off three minutes from time in the semi-final against Spain.

Asked how as a father he had dealt with the Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder, Bradley senior replied: “For any player to be three minutes from your first big final and to have that opportunity taken away is like ripping your heart out.

“But it’s out of moments like this that players grow. You must stand strong when you are disappointed, that’s what it is to be a man.

“From the team’s point of view it’s normal that you have to make adjustments. In big finals for big teams, opportunities come and different players step up.”

The favourite to take Bradley’s place is Benny Feilhaber.

Bradley is traditionally reluctant to single out his son for special mention, insisting he treats each of his squad as equals.

Explaining that approach and looking across at Donovan, he said: “Landon knows that I speak to all these guys from my heart.

“I believe in man-to-man conversations – that’s how I was raised. I had a father who was strong and not afraid to tell me what he thought.

“How much of the conversation that I had with Michael (after his red card) would have changed if it had been Landon sent off? Not that much.”