Memory makes the heart grow fonder to paraphrase the old saying, but it would be a mistake for US Soccer to forget the bad while basking in the glow of its first FIFA final appearance. Rejoice! Rejoice! And then get back to business.

After the win against Spain in the semifinal round, I believed the US would keep it close against Brazil and lose 2-1. After watching Brazil struggle against South Africa and breaking down the matchups, I realized that the US had the opportunity to do much better. I actually thought they would win.

The United States beat Egypt convincingly, knocked off the world’s best in solid fashion and pushed the five-time world champions to the limit before finally succumbing. After the final, I wondered if I was listening to my heart rather than my head. After watching the final again, I know that is not the case.

In all three of those games, the US did not play at its best. Think about that. They beat the African and European champions and almost knocked out the champions of South America – and they can still play better. However, while Bob Bradley’s team improved during the Confederations Cup, there are still some troubling issues.

It is very important for fans to realize the importance of what the US team accomplished over the past few weeks. The US hit rock bottom, and then soared to unprecedented heights in the matter of days. After the opening two defeats, I knew something needed to change. It did. For many observers, it meant Bradley needed to be replaced.After the last three matches, only the harshest of critics still believe a new coach is an imminent need. Instead, Bradley pushed his squad to rediscover its passion and pride. And it worked miracles.

You would need to be a fool to imagine the US will stay at this stratospheric level for good. The most important thing to take from these games is the confidence that the US can play with anyone. As Landon Donovan insisted after the final, that is not enough anymore. The goal is to win. This is just another step in the process.

The opening two games of the tournament saw the United States at its worst. A lack of skill, composure and heart led to two disappointing losses. While the fire and determination returned, there are still four key areas that need to be addressed.

1) Panic at the back.
One of the US strengths is its ability to defend. With good height, speed and strength at the back – and an outstanding goalkeeper like Tim Howard, the US can be difficult to score on. However, the consistent inability to direct clearances to teammates means the US defense faces much greater stress than it should. With the speed up the flanks the US possesses, a defensive clearance can be the launching pad for a lightning quick counter-attack. Too often instead, the ball is whacked out for a throw in or corner kick, or even worse given right back to the opposition.

2) A pacemaker in the middle.
Not coincidentally, the United States discovered its counter-attack after the insertion of Charlie Davies into the starting lineup. Many observers have complained about player selection in recent months, and Davies performance validates much of the criticism. However, it is impossible to rely solely on a single weapon and win. The US needs to identify and develop a player that has the ability and vision to control the play, to drive the team. Boy, could Bradley use a young Claudio Reyna. However, the US is not alone. Other than Xavi, there are not many players out there that have the ability to hit the gas or the brakes at a moments notice.

3) Smarter teeth in the attack.
After the US rediscovered its heart, the offense reappeared. However, the US would charge downfield – often with a numerical advantage – and not even get a shot. Sure, the US put three on the board against Egypt and two each against Spain and Brazil. Not bad. However, they had opportunities to be even more impressive. Sometimes it was ‘selfishness’ – other times it was one pass too many. In my mind, this problem will work itself out as Davies is worked into the equation and the players become more familiar with each other.

4) Better player management.
Bob Bradley eliminated a lot of doubt about his ability to motivate, but even after one of US soccer’s brightest moments, there are still questions when it comes to player selection and substitutions. There continues to be an overreliance on ‘his’ players – to the point where it costs the team. You almost had to feel sorry for DaMarcus Beasley and Sacha Kljestan when they entered matches, knowing what would almost inevitably follow. Not using an available substitution in a blowout against Brazil in the first round is inexcusable. That could have been valuable experience to Freddy Adu or Jose Francisco Torres. With minutes under their belt, they could have provided a useful option late in the final in the rematch against Brazil. Bradley obviously sees the talent, because he keeps calling them to the team. What he’s waiting for to play them is anybody’s guess.

This new mix for the US is starting to learn how to play as a team. They still need to put more difference-makers on the pitch. The upcoming Gold Cup appears to be the debut of the Freddy Adu Show – although that is not even a given with in-form MLS veterans like Stuart Holden, Robbie Rogers and Santino Quaranta on the roster.

The expected eligibility of central midfielder Jermaine Jones and left back Edgar Castillo would help Bradley strengthen the US squad, if they actually take advantage of FIFA’s new rule change when it takes effect in August. Jones is the better player, but he plays in a position where the US is already deep. Castillo would at least give a different look to the Bocanegra, Bornstein and Pearce options already on the table.

Another player I would love to see in the US jersey is New York forward Mac Kandji. As Davies proved the ability to make defender think, to give them reason to be afraid is a very powerful weapon. While he is still raw and unorthodox, he has skills that the current crop of US attackers can only dream of. They don’t need him, but boy would it be fun to watch.

I know Kandji could also suit up for Senegal and Gambia if he wishes, but he has expressed a desire to play for the United States. Currently, the former Silverback has asylum status, which is a far cry from residency, let alone citizenship. At best, it would take five years from applying for residency for an asylum seeker to get citizenship. Therefore, if he is ever going to suit up for the US, Kandji needs some luck to be eligible for Brazil 2014, let alone next year’s World Cup.

With or without these new faces, the United States is on the verge of something great. The world had better pay attention because, if it does not happen in 2010, it will not be much longer before the US sheds the Cinderella slippers and emerges as a true soccer giant.

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