I would like to take this moment to issue a public apology to Bob Bradley.
Back when I was watching the NY/NJ Metrostars coached by the aforementioned coach, I was one of those fans who laughed hysterically at the stats when I saw he had awarded the teams most starts to his 17-year-old son, Michael.
I, to be blunt, reamed him, from ear hole to ear hole, in every conceivable way. And when I heard that he was the new team USA coach, I had visions of epic failure.
Whoops. Fast-forward to today, and here I am talking about Michael Bradley being the next American wonderkid.
But he earned it.
Sold to Heerenveen by MLS for a non-disclosed fee, the then 18-year-old learned Dutch very quickly, and featured almost immediately in the first team, including Heerenveen's UEFA Cup-clinching 5-0 victory against Twente Enschede.
- B/R Ticket Guide
All along, Bradley was overshadowed by Danny Szetela, Eddie Gavin, Jozy Altidore, and Freddy Adu.
Now, a year and a half later, the man can't be stopped. His total for the year has risen to 16 goals in 30 starts. That's a little more than 0.5 goals a game, which for a attacking mid with defensive responsibilities, is pretty darn good.
This has not gone unnoticed in Europe with Everton, and Blackburn hot on his trail.
Since the Alfonso Alves sale to Middlesbourgh for 11.5M pounds, attention is only rising, especially with his contract set to expire in 15 months.
Bradley has made it very clear to Manager Gertjan Verbeek that he has no intention of staying past the expiration date, leading to a first for American soccer: a potential 30M USD transfer fee, as soon as July.
If all goes well, the US could field its best team ever for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with depth all over the park, a good balance of youth and age, and the always solid goalkeeping.
I can't wait.
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9 months ago
Thanks for the input Ken. He is a cracking player with hopefully a big future. I can't see him going for $30m tho.
9 months ago
with the current value of the dollar you may be right, but i don't see him going for under what Alves went for. Verbeek loves him.
9 months ago
Bradley is not the "Next American Wonderkid." He is in fact the first American Wonderkid. Freddy Adu was all hype, and the only reason he was so hyped up is because of the way he played when he was 14. He hasn't improved much since, it's starting to become apparent that Adu is probably closer to 23 than 18. Michael Bradley is the first American Wonderkid; he was never hyped up like Adu, but he's actually made the right steps, and he has actually MADE himself into a wonderkid rather than being a branded as one by the media. While Adu is all hype and all substance, Bradley is nothing but Substance. A great player already.
from 9 months ago
I'm not ready to call Adu a bust he's the star of his age group the hype was way to soon, he was 14 and then everyone was surprised when he acted petulant. I completely understood why when he was its hard to win over new soccer fans from the bench. hes getting bigger once that happens he wont get shoved off the ball as easily which is all he needs the skills are there, and no Tim Howard was the first, i can think of theyre he was bought by Manchester United, at 24. Now he's a superstar in Liverpool. a few im not even thinking of im sure.
from 9 months ago
Tim Howard plays for Everton, not Liverpool. My hope is that Bradley comes to Everton, too. Adu is not even close to the star of his age group, he's not even a star (outside of the US). He barely gets a game for Sporting.
9 months ago
Everton is in Liverpool, thats why they have the Myrseside derby every year. it's Benfica not Sporting, unless they loaned him. And he plays for the U23's and hes our leading scorer, was fantastic in the U20 World Cup, and will be for a long while yet.
9 months ago
3rd leading scorer in that tournement i believe behind Sergio Aguero who is now the star player for Athletico Madrid.
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