Michael Bradley (soccer)

Michael Bradley

Bradley in 2013
Personal information
Full name Michael Sheehan Bradley[1]
Date of birth (1987-07-31) July 31, 1987
Place of birth Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Toronto FC
Number 4
Youth career
Chicago Sockers
2002–2004 IMG Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2005 MetroStars 30 (1)
2006–2008 Heerenveen 63 (16)
2008–2011 Borussia Mönchengladbach 76 (10)
2011 → Aston Villa (loan) 3 (0)
2011–2012 Chievo 35 (1)
2012–2014 Roma 41 (2)
2014– Toronto 74 (8)
National team‡
2002–2004 United States U17 6 (0)
2004 United States U18 1 (0)
2004–2007 United States U20 8 (1)
2008 United States U23 4 (0)
2006– United States 126 (15)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 23, 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 17, 2016

Michael Sheehan Bradley (born July 31, 1987) is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for and captains both Toronto FC in Major League Soccer and the United States men's national soccer team.

Early life

Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, son to Bob Bradley, former coach of the United States men's national soccer team and current manager of Swansea City. While his father was the coach of Princeton University, the family lived in Pennington, New Jersey.[3]

Michael spent his teenage years in Palatine, Illinois, while his father coached the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer (MLS), and he grew up playing for Sockers FC, who went to the 2002 National Championship and finished third. He later attended the United States Under-17 Men's National Team Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida – the dedicated facility for the training of the Under-17 national team – for four semesters, from 2002 to 2004.

Club career

MetroStars

Before leaving Bradenton, Bradley signed a Project-40 contract with MLS, turning professional at the age of sixteen, and entered the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected thirty-sixth overall by the MetroStars, who at the time were coached by his father. Bradley did not see any playing time in his rookie season, missing out with a foot injury, but went on to gain a starting spot in 2005, playing thirty out of thirty-two matches for the Metro. Just weeks after his father was fired as the club's coach, he headed in his first professional goal in a dramatic victory over Chivas USA on the last day of the 2005 season, sending the team to the playoffs.

SC Heerenveen

In January 2006, Bradley became the youngest MLS player to ever be sold when he was transferred to Heerenveen for $250,000 and a portion of any sell-on fee[4] His first start for the Dutch club came on April 16, 2006, in a match against AZ. He found success early, earning four starts and helping the club to a coveted UEFA Cup spot in his first half-season. Upon the retirement of Paul Bosvelt after the 2006–07 season, Bradley took the veteran's starting place in central midfield. Bradley scored sixteen Eredivisie goals and twenty in all competitions during the 2007–08 season.

In January 2008, Bradley broke the record for the most goals scored in a single season by an American soccer player playing in a European first division, which was previously held by Brian McBride with his thirteen goals for Fulham in the Premier League. On January 26, 2008, Bradley extended his record to eighteen, with sixteen league goals.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Bradley with Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2008

On August 31, 2008, Bradley signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach for an undisclosed fee.[5] It was later revealed that Bradley had agreed to a switch to English club Birmingham City on the condition that the club retained its Premier League status.[6] However, they did not and he made his Gladbach debut on September 20 in a loss against Hertha Berlin. On November 15, 2008, Bradley scored his first goal for Mönchengladbach against Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich with an eighty-first minute equalizing header. The game ended 2–2.

Early in the 2009–10 season, Bradley was briefly suspended after an argument with manager Michael Frontzeck over playing time. However, the two later reconciled and Bradley re-established himself as a starter with the club before assisting a goal against Bayern Munich with a one-touch volley pass, and scoring the winning goal on a low free kick against Hannover 96. On January 30, 2011, Aston Villa of the Premier League confirmed via their official website that they were in talks to sign Bradley on a loan deal until the end of the 2010–11 season.[7]

Loan to Aston Villa

Bradley completed the loan deal to Aston Villa on January 31, 2011. Bradley was paraded in front of the fans at Villa Park on February 5 before kick off of the Premier League match against Fulham. On February 12, Bradley made his Aston Villa debut, coming on in the second half after Jean Makoun was sent off. It was said that Bradley would not join Villa on a permanent basis after Alex McLeish declined to extend his contract.

Chievo

Bradley joined Italian Serie A club Chievo on August 31, 2011.[8] He made his Chievo debut on September 18, coming on in the second half for Paolo Sammarco. He has been nicknamed "The General" by the local fans. Bradley scored his first goal in Italian soccer in a 3–2 victory over Catania on April 7 to take his side up to ninth in the league standings.[9]

Thierry Henry takes on Michael Bradley of A.S. Roma at Sporting Park.

Roma

On July 16, 2012, Bradley joined Roma, signing a four-year contract for a transfer fee of €3.75 million.[10][11] On July 17, 2012, Bradley made his debut for Roma as a starter in a 2–1 victory against fellow U.S. national team member Terrence Boyd and Rapid Wien of the Austrian Football Bundesliga. On July 25, 2012, Bradley scored his first goal for Roma in a club friendly against Liverpool at Fenway Park in Boston.[12] On August 19, Bradley scored his second pre-season goal against Greek club Aris. On August 26, Bradley made his league debut as a starter for Roma in their 2–2 draw against Catania; he picked up the assist in Roma's game-tying goal in the 90th minute.[13] On October 7, 2012, in his first game back after a month-long groin injury, Bradley scored his first goal for the Giallorossi in Roma's 2–0 win over Atalanta.[14]

In late January 2013, Bradley received praise from freelance writer for ESPN.com Michael Cox, stating that Serie A are choosing midfielders like Bradley who "epitomizes the new breed of Serie A midfielder, who's all about energy and hard running, rather than the typical number 10."[15] On May 26, 2013, Bradley started in midfield for Roma as the club fell 1–0 to Rome rivals S.S. Lazio in the final of the Coppa Italia.[16]

On September 6, Bradley was sidelined due to an injury he suffered on national team duty against Costa Rica. He returned to action for Roma on October 27, where he scored a goal against Udinese, the only goal either side scored during the match.[17]

Toronto FC

Bradley playing for Toronto in 2015

On January 9, 2014, AS Roma announced the sale of Bradley to Toronto FC of Major League Soccer for $10 million.[18] As part of the transfer, the two clubs agreed to a partnership including two friendly matches at BMO Field over six years, and a player development program for Toronto FC players at Roma's training facility.[19]

Bradley made his debut with Toronto in their season opener at Seattle Sounders FC on March 15, 2014, the game ended in a 2–1 away victory with both goals coming from newly acquired Jermain Defoe.[20] He scored his first goal for Toronto three weeks later on April 5 against the Columbus Crew, a game which ended in a 2–0 away victory.[21]

He was named captain prior to the 2015 season.[22]

In the 2016 MLS Playoffs, he helped his team to beat Montreal Impact on aggregate 7:5 in a 120-minute extra time thriller in the eastern conference final and won the first ever eastern conference champion for Toronto FC.

International career

In May 2006, Bradley was brought into the 2006 World Cup training camp to train with the United States national team. While not a member of the World Cup squad or an alternate, Bradley was on the roster for the three send-off friendlies played before the tournament. He earned his first cap in the May 26 match against Venezuela as a substitute and his second cap for the United States in the following game against Latvia, again as a substitute.

In late 2006 Bob Bradley, Michael's dad, was hired as head coach of the national team, and Michael established himself as a key player for the U.S. during his father's tenure. Bradley earned his first international start on March 28, 2007, during a friendly against Guatemala. He was a starter at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and helped lead the U.S. to the title, though he was sent off for a late tackle in the semifinal against Canada. The next month, he started every match for the U.S. at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored the game-winning goal in the 107th minute against Uruguay in the round of 16.[23] He scored his first senior international goal on October 17, 2007, with a game-winner in the 87th minute against Switzerland in a friendly. Following these performances, Bradley was named U.S. Soccer's Young Athlete of the Year for 2007.[24] Bradley had a landmark performance for the national team in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio on February 11, 2009, scoring both goals in a 2–0 victory.[25][26]

During the United States' surprise run to the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Bradley scored the second goal against Egypt off an assist from Landon Donovan, helping the Americans advance to the semifinals on goal differential after eventually beating the Egyptians 3–0.[27] He later started in the 2–0 upset victory against Spain in the semifinal, but was sent off late in the game. The resulting suspension kept Bradley out of the tournament final, which the U.S. ultimately lost 3–2 to Brazil.[28] Bradley was later reported to have confronted referee Jorge Larrionda following the match, resulting in Bradley receiving an additional three match suspension to be served during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[29]

Bradley was a key player for the U.S. in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, starting all four matches in central midfield. In the group stage, Bradley scored the equalizer in a comeback 2-2 draw against Slovenia.[30] He captained the national team for the first time in an August 10, 2010 friendly against Brazil in his birthplace of New Jersey. In the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Bradley featured in each game in a new midfield partnership with Jermaine Jones, and scored the opening goal in the final against Mexico, though the United States went on to lose 4–2.

Following the Gold Cup loss, Bob Bradley was fired as national team coach and replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann under whom Michael remained a key starter in midfield. He scored a goal on a half volley from 20 yards out in 5–1 friendly victory over Scotland in May 2012, and put in a late equalizer in a 2–2 draw with Russia later that year. He started each game for the US at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[31]

After US Soccer removed the captaincy from Clint Dempsey as punishment for a controversial incident with a referee before the 2015 Gold Cup, Klinsmann named Bradley the national team's new permanent captain.[32]

Personal life

Bradley speaks fluent English, Italian, Dutch, German and Spanish. He is married to Amanda, a former University of Rhode Island tennis player. The couple have a son, Luca, who was born on September 30, 2012, and a daughter, Quinn Elle, was born on November 17, 2014.[33]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played November 6, 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup Continental[lower-alpha 2] Playoffs[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
MetroStars 2004[2] MLS 0000——0000
2005[2] MLS 30100——20321
Total 30100000020321
Heerenveen 2005–06[34] Eredivisie 6000—00—60
2006–07[34] Eredivisie 21000—40—250
2007–08[34] Eredivisie 361600—22—3818
Total 6316000062006918
Borussia Mönchengladbach 2008–09[34] Bundesliga 28500———285
2009–10[34] Bundesliga 29220———312
2010–11[34] Bundesliga 19331——00224
2011–12[34] Bundesliga 0000———00
Total 7610510000008111
Aston Villa (loan) 2010–11[34] Premier League 30100000—40
Chievo 2011–12[34] Serie A 35100———361
Total 35100000000351
Roma 2012–13[34] Serie A 30150———351
2013–14[34] Serie A 11100———111
Total 41250000000462
Toronto FC 2014[35] MLS 25221———273
2015[35] MLS 25520——10285
2016[35] MLS 24100——51292
Total 748410000618410
Career Total 3223815200626134944
  1. ↑ Includes U.S. Open Cup, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Coppa Italia & Canadian Championship matches.
  2. ↑ Includes UEFA Cup matches.
  3. ↑ Includes MLS Cup & Bundesliga relegation playoff matches.

International

As of match played September 6, 2016[36]
United States national team
YearAppsGoals
200620
2007121
2008112
2009154
2010101
2011121
201292
2013100
201491
2015183
2016170
Total12515

International goals

As of match played September 6, 2016: United States score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bradley goal.[36][37]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 October 17, 2007 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland 13   Switzerland 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2 June 15, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States 20  Barbados 2–0 8–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 September 10, 2008 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois, United States 24  Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 February 11, 2009 Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, United States 26  Mexico 1–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 2–0
6 June 21, 2009 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng, South Africa 32  Egypt 2–0 3–0 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
7 October 14, 2009 RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States 38  Costa Rica 1–2 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 June 18, 2010 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 45  Slovenia 2–2 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup
9 June 25, 2011 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, United States 59  Mexico 1–0 2–4 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
10 May 26, 2012 EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida, United States 65  Scotland 2–0 5–1 Friendly
11 November 14, 2012 Kuban Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia 72  Russia 1–1 2–2 Friendly
12 April 2, 2014 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona, United States 83  Mexico 1–0 2–2 Friendly
13 February 8, 2015 StubHub Center, Carson, California, United States 93  Panama 1–0 2–0 Friendly
14 July 13, 2015 Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas, United States 102  Panama 1–1 1–1 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
15 July 22, 2015 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, United States 104  Jamaica 1–2 1–2 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honors

Club

Roma
Toronto FC

Country

United States

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. June 11, 2014. p. 32. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Michael Bradley MLS profile". MLS. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Havsy, Jane (June 24, 2007). "U.S. Under-20 team holds off Chile". Daily Record (Morristown). Retrieved February 15, 2011. "Bradley grew up in Pennington while his father, US men's national team head coach Bob Bradley, coached at Princeton."
  4. ↑ "The Michael Bradley Project: Can Toronto FC star become best American player of all-time?". MLSsoccer.com.
  5. ↑ Coerts, Stefan (August 31, 2008). "Bradley Heading For Gladbach". goal.com. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Birmingham City miss out on two more targets". birminghammail.net. May 22, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Villa in talks with USA ace Bradley over loan move". January 30, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  8. ↑ "US midfielder Michael Bradley leaves Moenchengladbach for Chievo Verona in Italy". The Washington Post. August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Chievo Verona 3–2 Catania". ESPN Soccernet. April 7, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  10. ↑ "MICHAEL BRADLEY E ADRIAN MARIUS STOIAN" (PDF) (in Italian). A.S. Roma. July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Michael Bradley signs with Roma". FOX Soccer. July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Welcome back, Michael Bradley". ESPN. July 25, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Michael Bradley has memorable debut with AS Roma in 2–2 draw with Catania". Sporting News. August 25, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Bradley's debut goal helps Roma rebound". ESPNFC. October 7, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Why Serie A has fallen out of love with the number ten". ESPNFC. January 30, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Roma 0–1 Lazio: Biancocelesti edge dour derby to claim Coppa Italia". Goal.com. May 26, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Roma's Michael Bradley strikes late to seal win for 10 men at Udinese". The Guardian. October 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Bradley completes transfer to Toronto". ESPN FC. January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Toronto FC Signs Michael Bradley" (Press release). Toronto FC. January 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ McGran, Kevin (March 15, 2014). "Jermain Defoe scores twice, Toronto FC upsets Seattle 2–1 in season opener". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Match Recap: Crew 0, TFC 2". torontofc.ca. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  22. ↑ "Michael Bradley appointed Toronto FC captain, replacing Steven Caldwell". ESPN FC. February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Match Report: USA – Uruguay". FIFA. July 11, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  24. ↑ "U.S. Soccers All-Time Athlete of the Year Award Winners". USSoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  25. ↑ "U.S. continues domination of Mexico on Bradley's two goals". Sports Illustrated. Columbus, Ohio. Associated Press. February 11, 2009. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  26. ↑ Mahoney, Ridge (February 12, 2009). "Bradley goals down jittery Mexico, 2–0". Soccer America Magazine. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  27. ↑ "U.S. Advances to Semifinals of FIFA Confederations Cup". USSoccer.com. June 21, 2009. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  28. ↑ "U.S. Men's National Team Advances to First-Ever Final in a FIFA Tournament with 2–0 Victory Against Spain in 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup". USSoccer.com. June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Bradley suspended for three matches". ESPN. July 7, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  30. ↑ Ornstein, David (June 18, 2010). "Slovenia 2–2 USA". BBC Sport. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  31. ↑ "USA squad for 2014 World Cup: the 23 chosen by Jürgen Klinsmann". June 6, 2014 – via The Guardian.
  32. ↑ McCarthy, Kyle. "Michael Bradley named as USA captain for CONCACAF Gold Cup". foxsports.com. Fox Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  33. ↑ Luke O'Brien. "America's Most Important Soccer Player Conquers The Old World". Deadspin.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Michael Bradley ESPN profile". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  35. 1 2 3 "M. Bradley profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  36. 1 2 "Michael Bradley profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Michael Bradley Player Profile". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
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