After many US fans had thought the Bob Bradley era was over, they were in for quite the surprise. Many had speculated that Bradley would be seeking a job overseas, possibly in Europe. I would have to say it will be written down as a relief because Bradley has been at the reins of a footballing nation on the rise.

He will stick with the US team through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The coach helped guide the US into the Round of 16 this past summer in South Africa. Unfortunately the story ended in extra time at the hands of Ghana.

He is going to have to avoid the slump that has recently occurred with US coaches going into their second World Cup. Former coach Bruce Arena saw the US make it to the quarterfinals in 2002, but 4 years later the US dipped out in the first round. Although many thought the US was capable of more in South Africa, their exhibition of skill, and teamwork, and perseverance was heard around the World.

This is the most ironic thing you’ll read this week. “Professional” wrestler John Cena had this to say about the UFC:

“It’s just not something that particularly interests me. UFC is where boxing was years ago, and I was never really into boxing, either. Cena said he prefers professional wrestling because it’s “regulated entertainment that’s safe for anyone to enjoy.’’ And UFC? “It is what it is,’’ he said. “It can be pretty over the top, and it’s not something I’d want my children to watch.’’

Is this guy for real? Would he let his kids watch the filth that is pro wrestling? They degrade women and basically all of humanity with their speech and stupidity in the ring. Pro wrestling is so great because “it’s regulated” that you can find a list of over 40 wrestlers that died by the age of 40.

On Sunday, right wing Lee Stempniak signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal to stay with the Phoenix Coyotes.  He said did it because of “unfinished business” — he joined the Coyotes for the final 18 regular season games last season and was stellar, but he was a non-factor in Phoenix’s getting bounced from the playoffs in the first round by the Red Wings.  However, Coyotes general manager Don Maloney believes Stempniak’s choice to return was mostly based on economics.

Maloney’s happy to get Stempniak back, but understands that in most markets Stempniak could’ve expected a bigger contract:

… in a normal market or in a past market [Stempniak's performance and production] would probably garner him one of those three- or four-year, $2 ½ to $3 million and above level contracts, but the market changed, and it wasn’t there for him. I know how good this player is, and I know how good he’ll be for us, and fortunately it worked. We were able to find a way to make him happy, and we’re thrilled with it.

Rafael Benitez has never struck me as anything close to a good football manager. In fact, he’s a bit of a cry baby and whiner who’s always blaming somebody else for his club’s problems. He’s vastly overrated and seems to be clueless when it comes to team selections, substitutions, buying players, and tactics.

He won the Champions League with Liverpool after his “managing” saw the team down 3-0 until Steven Gerrard grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and more or less won it single-handedly in spite of his manager. Other than that, Benitez is the cat’s meow.

While many Liverpool fans had a strange blind faith in Benitez, it seems his new gig with Italy’s Inter Milan might finally expose him for what he truly is as may have bit off more than he can chew. Although the Italian Serie A just kicked off, Benitez has already come under fire for Inter’s poor play, which includes a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup and a 0-0 draw in the season opener at Bologna.