USMNT Demonsrate Bipolar playing style during this Gold Cup

Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated or irritable mood (mania), alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.

With the win in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup at RFK on Fathers Day the U.S. Men's National Team beat the strongest competition it has faced so far this tournament in Jamaica. The 2-0 win was a decisive one with the USMNT dominating the Reggae Boys and controlling the tempo from start to finish. This win came without star player Landon Donovan starting due to his early morning return to the national team after attending a family function.

What was evident after the game during the press conference and player interviews was that the USMNT and Head Coach Bob Bradley had a huge weight lifted from their shoulders. Bradley was even joking around with the press regarding being second-guessed saying: "I never get second-guessed" which was obviously tongue-in-cheek.

The truth of the matter is the U.S. have looked very sporadic throughout this years Gold Cup tournament, at certain points downright bipolar. Looking to recapture the Gold Cup trophy the Yanks lost to Mexico in 2009 this U.S. squad led by Bradley was set up with what seemed to be a somewhat easy group stage. Drawn into Group C with Panama, Canada, and Guadeloupe the U.S. where favored to win their group but an uninspired performance against Panama ended in the first ever loss for the Stars and Stripes in Gold Cup group play. After the loss many of the players displayed obvious signs of fatigue or listlessness and loss of self-esteem, all part of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder.

Immediately after the embarrassing loss questions started like a brush fire on Twitter and throughout the Internet as to whether or not Bob Bradley would ever be able to get the most from a U.S. squad that contained multiple players in the starting roster currently on top level European clubs. Bradleys' crew did not disappoint against Jamaica in the following match, the winner of which would advance to the semifinals. After controlling the entire game the players, head coach, and even fans where experiencing the manic half of bipolar disorder- inflated self-esteem and noticeably elevated mood.

If only this team loaded with more talent than any other USMNT before it could find some sort of identity, preferably a consistent one. Look at any of the top international squads in the world and you can easily pinpoint the team "identity". Germany plays a methodically efficient style while Brazil is well known for their beautiful free flowing style simply called  "The Brazilian Way". Maybe the USMNT style of play should be referred to as the Bipolar method at least until this team finds a style of its own, hopefully a winning one that brings back the trophy crowning the best team in CONCACAF.