Midfielder
Michael Bradley
6' 2"
Biography of USMNT World Cup soccer player Michael Bradley who played in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and returned to MLS after several seasons in Europe.
Caps: 151 | Goals: 17
A product of the US Soccer academy at Bradenton, Michael Bradley bypassed college to enter the MLS SuperDraft where he was selected 36th overall by the Metrostars. In his sophomore season, Bradley became a regular with the Metrostars, and a transfer target when that season ended.
After the 2005 season, Michael left MLS for the Netherlands and Heerenveen, the youngest MLS player ever to be transferred to a foreign club. In 2006, USMNT coach Bruce Arena brought Bradley in as a practice player for the World Cup squad, training with them in Cary and participating in the friendly schedule, but not traveling to Germany with the team.
Bradley has been a regular during the 2007 USMNT friendly schedule, and was included on the Gold Cup roster. In October he scored his first goal for the National Team, a late game winner against Switzerland. His goal-scoring performances in midfield for Heerenveen in the 2007-08 season began to capture the attention of English Premier League teams in early 2008, reportedly Sunderland and Everton.
A major transfer target during the ’08 summer window, Bradley ended up moving to the Bundesliga with recently promoted Borussia Moenchengladbach. In January, 2011, he moved to Aston Villa in England’s Premier League on loan for the rest of the season. In August, he signed with Chievo Verona in Italy’s Serie A. In January, 2014 Roma announced they had completed Bradley’s transfer to Toronto. Bradley stayed with Toronto through the 2023 season when he announced his retirement from professional soccer. He joined Stabaek in Norway on October 23 as an assistant coach under head coach Bob Bradley.
Photo by John Todd – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2019
Started against Panama on Jan 27. Subbed on against Ecuador on Mar 21 and started against Chile on Mar 26. Named to the Gold Cup roster. Started against Guyana on Jun 18 and Trinidad and Tobago on Jun 22. Started against Curacao on Jun 30 and Jamaica on Jul 3. Started against Mexico in the 2019 Gold Cup final. Started against Canada in the Nations League on Oct 15.
2018
Started against Colombia on Oct 11 and subbed on against Peru on Oct 16.
2017
Started against Serbia on Jan 27 and subbed on against Jamaica on Feb 3. Started the Mar 24 World Cup qualifier against Honduras and scored. Started against Panama in the WCQ on Mar 28. Started in the friendly against Venezuela on Jun 3. Started the World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago on Jun 8. Started against Mexico on Jun 11 and scored. Started against El Salvador in the quarterfinals on Jul 19. Started the Jul 22 semifinal against Costa Rica and the final against Jamaica on Jul 26. In the starting lineup for the Sep 1 qualifier against Costa Rica. Started against Honduras on Sep 5. Started the World Cup qualifier against Panama on Oct 6 and against Trinidad & Tobago on Oct 10.
2016
Started against Iceland on Jan 31 and Canada on Feb 5. Started the World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala on Mar 25 and 29. Started against Ecuador on May 25 and against Bolivia on May 28. Started in the Copa Centenario opener against Colombia on Jun 4 and against Costa Rica on Jun 7. Started against Paraguay on Jun 11. Started against Ecuador in the Copa Centenario quarterfinals on Jun 16 and against Argentina in the semifinals on Jun 21. Started against Colombia in the 3rd-place game on Jun 25. Started against Trinidad & Tobago on Sep 6, Cuba on Oct 7, and New Zealand on Oct 11. Started against Mexico on Nov 11 and against Costa Rica on Nov 15.
2015
Started against Chile on Jan 28 and Panama on Feb 8 where he scored directly from a corner kick. Started against Denmark on Mar 25 and Switzerland on Mar 31. Bradley served as captain for both games. Started against Mexico on Apr 15 and the Netherlands on Jun 5. Started against Germany on Jun 10 and Guatemala on Jul 3. Started all three Group A games at the 2015 Gold Cup, winning his 100th cap on Jul 7. Scored against Panama on Jul 13. Started the Gold Cup quarterfinal against Cuba on Jul 18. Started the Gold Cup semifinal against Jamaica on Jul 22 and scored. Started against Panama in the 3rd-place game on Jul 25. Started the Sep 8 friendly against Brazil. Started the Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico on Oct 10. Started the World Cup qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines on Nov 13 and against Trinidad & Tobago on Nov 18.
2014
Started against Mexico on Apr 2, scoring the opening goal and setting up the second. Named to the final World Cup roster. Started against Azerbaijan on May 28th, Turkey on June 1st, and Nigeria on June 8th. Started against Ghana in the World Cup Group G opener on June 16th. Started against Portugal in the World Cup on June 22nd and against Germany on June 26th. Started against Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 1st. Started the Oct 14 friendly against Honduras.
2013
Started against Honduras on Feb 6th, Costa Rica on Mar 22nd, Mexico on Mar 26th, and Germany on Jun 2nd. Started in the Jun 7th Qualifier in Jamaica, against Panama on Jun 11, and Honduras on Jun 18. Started against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Aug 14th. Started against Scotland on Nov 15 and Austria on Nov 19.
2011
Started against Argentina on March 26th. A regular starter in the Gold Cup run, scoring in the Gold Cup final against Mexico on June 25th.
2010
Named to the World Cup roster. Started all four of the games in South Africa and scored the second goal to draw with Slovenia.
2009
Started and scored both goals against Mexico on Feb 11th. Started against El Salvador on March 28th. Started against Costa Rica on June 3rd, but missed the next game against Honduras due to card accumulation. Part of the Confederations Cup squad and key to the 3-0 win against Egypt that advanced the US to the knockout stage. Scored the first goal in the final game of World Cup Qualifying, a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica on Oct 14th. Started both of the Nov friendlies.
2008
Started in February 2-2 exhibition tie against Mexico, played in multiple World Cup Qualifiers.
2007
Made his first start against Guatemala on March 28. Part of the 2007 Gold Cup squad. Starter against Brazil in September exhibition game at Soldier Field, and made 15 appearances in the course of the year (one goal)
2006
While a practice player at World Cup camp in Cary, NC, Bradley was included on the travel roster for the Send Off Series of friendlies. He made his debut on May 26th against Venezuela and appeared against Latvia.
Professional Experience
2023
Played in 17 games with Toronto, retiring at the end of the season.
2022
Played in 34 games for a Toronto team that finished 13th in the East.
2021
Missed the playoffs with Toronto, finishing 13th in the East during a season where pandemic restrictions meant playing a significant portion of their home schedule in Florida.
2020
Finished 2nd in the East with Toronto, exiting the playoffs in the opening round.
2019
Finished 4th in the East, playing in 27 games. Toronto made it to MLS Cup, with Bradley injured in the final.
2018
A 9th-place finish with Toronto, playing in 32 games.
2017
Won the MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, and Canadian Championship with Toronto.
2016
Advanced to MLS Cup, losing to Seattle on penalties.
2015
Made the playoffs with Toronto, the first time in the club's history.
2014
Played in 21 games missing the playoffs in his first season with Toronto.
2013-14
Injury cost Bradley time in the fall with Roma. In January, he moved to Major League Soccer signing a deal with Toronto FC.
2012-13
The move to Roma was successful with Bradley regularly featuring for the club and finishing 6th in Serie A.
2011-12
Regular with Chievo, finishing midtable in Serie A. Transferred to AS Roma in the offseason.
2010-11
Regular with 'Gladbach, but was loaned to Aston Villa in the EPL for the rest of the season during the January window. Signed with Chievo Verona for the 2011-12 season.
2009-10
Regular starter with 'Gladbach, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga.
2008-09
Moved to the Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach where he was already played under three different head coaches. Part of the squad that barely avoided relegation.
2007-08
Now a key starter in midfield for Heerenveen as the club pushed for a top-five spot in the Eredivisie. Had scored 12 league goals (and 16 in all competitions) by February, making him the team's leading scorer. Finished the season with 17 goals, a new record for a US player in Europe.
2006-07
Makes 14 appearances for Heerenveen.
2006
Leaves MLS for Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.
2005
Makes 30 appearances for the Metros, scoring one goal.
2004
Joins the Metrostars.
