Terrific article on the rise of Michael Bradley

I've always been a huge mike fan, same cant be said of daddy bob, but that's not what the thread is about.

I developed a theory while bob was coaching and I'd like to bounce it off you guys.
So it was almost a 100% given that mike would start and stay on the full 90 when his father was coach and I'm wondering if this helped him develop his style of play (at least for the usmnt, don't get to watch a lot of his club games) but it seems as if Bradley played with a fearlessness and a willingness to take deep shots/deliver long balls that would only come from knowing you have a spot in the lineup. Not to take away from his individual talents and work ethic, but it seems like this certainly helped him. Thoughts? I'm thrilled for him and the career he's made for himself. I saw an interview with him speaking Italian (couldn't understand him but he sounded pretty proficient) so he's obviously very bright as I'm pretty sure he speaks 3 languages.

I think he is clearly the most valuable player on the USMNT. I know Dempsey is tearing it up, but Baby Bradley makes shite happen.

quote:

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but it seems as if Bradley played with a fearlessness and a willingness to take deep shots/deliver long balls that would only come from knowing you have a spot in the lineup.

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He's pretty headstrong, detrimentally so at times. I'm not sure that he needed the invitation

Only reason this thread was started is because his dad begged Elisha to make it.


On another note, Bradley at Inter Milan would be fricking awesome. I already have a significant interest in Inter Milan. If he goes there, Inter will be one of my top favorite teams to watch.

Yeah that's what I was getting at, for better or for worse, but also I was questioning if this was a product of his personality or his dad being coach. He's now obviously proven himself and improved his game to where he doesn't neccesarily make the bonehead tackles (as the article referenced) or play overly ambitious balls.

It'd be pretty sweet for him to make the inter move

I hope he gets his chance with Roma

Great, he is going to get shot in the face with a flare.

Regarding the whole Bob/Michael Bradley nepotism thing I followed the USMNT religiously after the world cup on 2006. Bradley is easily my 2nd favorite US player ever after Dempsey (I have 3 US Jerseys 2006 home Dempsey, 2008 home Bradley and 2010 away Holden). This is my opinion on what happened with all the nepotism claims:

Bob inserted Mikey into the team during the 2007 Gold Cup and played him every minute he was available. At that point IMO he was no way deserving of playing that much he was 19 and hadn't gotten off the bench the year before in Holland. He was very reckless and was a yellow card waiting to happen every game it seemed like. Now in my opinion Bob realized Mikey wasn't really good enough at that point but he knew given his character, determination and work ethic he figured giving him the platform to play he would continue to take the next step and improve afterward. Bob has long since justified giving his son so much valuable playing time and experience and every year Bradley has taken a positive step forward in his career. In my opinion when he left Herenveen at around 20 after his breakout year he was on track to be playing regularly for a top 10 team in a top 4 league by 25 or 26. I think he has kept that schedule and I expect a big club to come in for him this summer. If Chievo chose to hold onto him for another year I'd expect bigger clubs to come calling next summer if he continues to play regularly. I think he's gone this summer personally.

I'm glad Mike has cooled his jets a lil bit. We have an enforcer in Jermaine Jones to pick up yellows for the both of them.

It would be a third with Holden. Bolton fricking sucks. Too bad. At least he has won one team POtY award.