Michael Bradley
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170 lbs.
Born: July 31, 1987 in Princeton, N.J.
Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
Club: Heerenveen (Dutch Eredivisie)
As the U.S. team moves into a new era and new World Cup cycle, Bradley has sought to lay claim to his position in the center of midfield with the same ferocity that he shows when tackling some of the world's best in that position. Hard nosed, and with an eye for the game far beyond his twenty years, Bradley's simple playing style allows him to fit seamlessly in to most playing systems by linking the defense and the attack.
- Earned his first two caps in the buildup to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he was a member of the pre-tournament training camp and friendlies.
- His transfer to Heerenveen from the Metrostars in 2006 meant he was, at the time, the youngest player ever sold by MLS.
- Despite his status as a regular international for the senior squad, he was included as a member of the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup team, and played a vital part for the U.S. team that advanced all the way to the quarterfinals.
National Team - 2007: Appeared as a halftime sub in the 3-1 victory versus Ecuador in March, before getting his first start for the senior team against Guatemala three days later ... Was a member of the 2007 Gold Cup squad and featured as center midfielder in five games leading up to the semifinals ... Was red carded against Canada in the semifinals of the Gold Cup and suspended for the final against Mexico ... 2006: Made his debut as a sub in the 89th minute of a World Cup tune up match against Venezuela on May 26, 2006 ... Under-23s: As part of the present U-23 cycle, his senior national team experience will be vital in preparing for qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics ... Under 20s: A member of the 2007 U-20 World Cup team which advanced to the quarterfinals in Canada ... Added experience and professionalism to the promising U-20 side that was eliminated in the end by Austria ... Appeared in all five matches in Canada, scoring the game winning goal in over time against Uruguay in the second round ... Under-17s: Part of the Residency Program from fall of 2002 to the spring of 2004 ... First Appearance: May 26, 2006 vs. Venezuela ... First Goal: None.
Professional - 2007-08: Scored his first goal for Heerenveen in a 5-2 route of Excelsior on September 15, 2007 ... Spent the month of September in sparkling form for Heerenveen, scoring four goals in all competitions for his club, including two against Helsingborg in the UEFA Cup ... 2006-07: In his first full season at Heerenveen, he established himself as an important part of the first team, making 21 Eredivisie appearances for the club as they finished fifth ... Also featured in the UEFA Cup for Heerenveen, making three appearances for the side in the first round and group stage ... Ended the season with 25 appearances in all competitions ... 2006: Moved to Heerenveen in January of 2006 ...Made his first appearance for his new club, and only appearance of the season, in April of 2006 ... 2005: Flourished in his second year in MLS, making thirty starting appearances for the Metrostars ...Played under his father, Bob Bradley, who was at the time the head coach of the Metrostars ... Scored one goal and tallied four assists as New York made it to the playoffs ... 2004: Drafted 36th overall by the New York/New Jersey Metrostars (Now N.Y. Red Bulls) in 2004 ... Made no appearances for the Metrostars in his first year with the team, however his season was severely limited by a foot injury.
Personal
Parents are Bob and Lindsay, and has two sisters, Ryan and Kerry ... Father, Bob Bradley, is current head coach of U.S. Men's National Team ... Played under his father with the Metrostars - the first father-son combination in MLS history ... His uncle, Scott, played for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball and is currently the Princeton University baseball coach ... Another uncle, Jeff, is currently a writer for ESPN The Magazine ... Attended high school at the U.S. Soccer Academy's Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla.