GLENDALE, Ariz. - U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann backed captain Michael Bradley to finish off the Copa America Centenario with a strong performance in the third-place match against Colombia.
The U.S. captain has come in for some criticism after some uneven performances during the tournament, especially in the 4-0 semifinal defeat to Argentina when he struggled in midfield.
But Klinsmann highlighted Bradley's versatility, as well as his leadership of a team that could have its best ever showing at a Copa America. And while Klinsmann indirectly acknowledged some of his captain's difficulties, there is every expectation that Bradley will be on the field come Saturday.
"[Bradley] is player who can adjust to whatever system you need to adjust to," said Klinsmann. "He can play the, No. 6 role, which he plays for his club team. He can play a more advanced role, he can play on the side as well. If Kyle [Beckerman] is the No. 6, he can play on the side. So he does whatever is necessary for the team.
"This is the most important thing, that he's a team player. He's a wonderful captain, he's pushing it, he's giving it everything he has. And then some days are going tremendously well, and you have some games that don't go so well.
"We know how important Michael is to our team, and his role inside of that group. And obviously we hope for a big game from Michael Bradley [on Saturday]."
Bradley declined to offer a critique of his own performances, and even smiled at the mention of criticism he has received from fans and media.
"I step on the field every opportunity I'm given, ready to take responsibility, spill my guts for the team, and at the end, people can judge however they want," he said. "That doesn't bother me one bit. I'll leave it to the experts."
He was more expansive when the topic centered on the overall performance of the U.S. team at this Copa America.
"I think ultimately it's been a very, very positive few weeks for everybody," he said. When you talk about playing in a Copa America, the types of teams that you're playing against to get to the final four, to get to a semifinal, is something that everybody should feel good about."
Bradley did admit that the manner of the Americans exit still rankled, in that the U.S. didn't allow itself much of a chance against Argentina.
"We can always talk about little details, and parts of games, or in games that we feel that we could have handled better," he said. "Certainly there's disappointment that you get to a semifinal and you never really give yourself a chance to settle in, and to really let the game play out, because after three minutes you go down 1-0, and then when you give away the second right before halftime, also difficult."
Saturday's third-place match amounts to an opportunity to ease a bit of that pain. In the immediate aftermath of the semifinal, Bradley didn't express much enthusiasm for playing in the match, but on Friday seemed ready to contribute in any way he can.
"It's another chance to represent our country," he said. "The opportunity to finish things off having finished in third place would still be a huge accomplishment, so we'll have a group on the field that's ready to get after it and compete and try to play well, and represent ourselves and the country in the best possible way, like always. "