Once vilified, Bradley fights his way back
Mi chael Bradley: “Best American player ever.” Imagine that being contemplated just three years ago, when Toronto FC’s captain was scapegoated at the 2014 World Cup despite ex-coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s shortcomings.
Heck, imagine those words being uttered prior to Sunday night, when Bradley produced a goal for the ages in a massive World Cup qualifier at Mexico’s vaunted Estadio Azteca, earning the Americans a crucial 1-1 draw.
Bradley has received far more criticism than praise since joining TFC three seasons ago. Most of that vitriol has emanated from the States, where pundits — for a time — made Bradley the fall guy for a U.S. team in disarray. Time flies, doesn’t it? Here we are, three years after Bradley’s World Cup error in the Amazon, reading about how critical he is to U. S. soccer’s success — and how his country doesn’t have another player like him.
It’s what Toronto FC viewers realized late last season: Bradley didn’t deserve anywhere near the level of criticism he’s been receiving.
No, he deserves the opposite, according to one opposing coach in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. “I think Michael should start to enter into the conversation for the best American player ever,” New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said.
“His game is so complete. He has become such an amazing leader for that ( U. S.) team. He’s been fun to watch.”
Those who frequent this space know I haven’t been shy about dishing out praise for The General, who I felt was unfairly put through the wringer when he signed a seven-year deal in 2014.
Naysayers questioned his commitment to getting better.
Some questioned — on national TV — whether TFC should have shelled out $6.5 million per season for him.
Others said he’d regress without the day- to- day grind of training in one of Europe’s top leagues.
“I’m not surprised by Jesse’s comments,” TFC coach Greg Vanney told Postmedia. “If anyone knows Michael and has an appreciation for Michael other than us it would be Jesse.
“I’m not surprised he said that. In terms of best U. S. player ever, Michael has to be part of the discussion … Whether he wins that discussion is for anyone to decide.”
It’s not something I’m interested in debating.
Rather, the idea that a single moment in front of an U. S. TV audience of 6.8 million can shift the feelings surrounding a player this much shows how baffling the reverse conversation was three years ago.
Bradley’s the same player today he was back then. The difference now is he finally has a manager in Bruce Arena who’s finally defines roles within the U.S. team.
“The clearer things are the better Michael can do his job and led other people,” Vanney added. “When things aren’t as clear, Michael takes on more work and accomplishes less.
“That’s the evolution with Bruce. I think the team prepares better now than they have for Jurgen … I don’t blame the player, I blame the lack of clarity on whoever is leading the situation.”
It took Toronto FC’s rabid fan base two seasons to look beyond Sebastian Giovinco’s alluring form and realize the club’s success equally hinges on Bradley’s array of strengths.
“He helps control the tempo at which we attack, linking the back to the front,” Vanney explained, citing the only match Bradley has missed this season, a 3- 0 loss in New England.
“He’s become very good at mixing the game up between playing short and moving the game around to find the occasional moment to attack fast and go.”
They’re the unheralded, lesstalked about elements of a game that’s driven by goal-scorers.
After all, Bradley’s Puskas Award- worthy goal Sunday night might be the only reason so many are re- examining things written about Bradley a few years go.
“Some people just don’t know,” one of Bradley’s teammates told me privately.
“They don’t,” he added with a shoulder shrug and a snicker.
Many never will.