No matter what happens when U.S. coach Bob Bradley's contract runs out in December, he'll get his fourth chance to beat Brazil on Tuesday.
"I had a few discussions with U.S. Soccer,” said Bradley. “This fixture date comes at a tricky time, and so we agreed it was most important to get on and prepare for this date and then we would have some discussions following this game.”
Since Bradley took the U.S. helm in 2007, the USA has played Brazil three times. It fell, 4-2, in a 2007 friendly in Chicago. It met Brazil twice at the 2009 Confederations Cup, losing 3-0 in the first round and 3-2 in the final after taking a 2-0 lead.
Bradley has been mentioned as a candidate for the Aston Villa coaching job after the surprise resignation of Martin O’Neill.
"I have said over and over that I am always excited about new and different challenges,” Bradley said in a press conference on Monday at the New Meadowlands Stadium. “Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do.
O'Neill, one of the English Premier League's most high-profile managers, quit just five days before the start of the new season. A dozen coaches -- including U.S. boss Bob Bradley -- were mentioned as possibilities to replace O'Neill.
O'Neill's move is no surprise, though his timing, on the eve of EPL opening weekend, is a shock.
The former Northern Ireland international's departure comes as Villa is about to finalize the transfer of James Milner to Manchester City.
O'Neill has been known to be concerned about the commitment of Villa's popular American owner, Randy Lerner, to compete on the English transfer market. Lerner lost $70 million last year.
Villa sold captain Gareth Barry to Man. City before the start of last season. Besides Milner, Villa is believed to have offered Ashley Young for sale.
Bradley was immediately installed as the favorite to replace O'Neill, though other coaches -- Alan Curbishley and Martin Jol -- were considered better possibilities.
The U.S. connection at Villa also includes three Americans on the first team: goalie Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan and defender Eric Lichaj.
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