Bradley dedicated to finishing the job with TFC
CARSON, Calif. — Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley suspected the question was coming, given that the Reds were in Los Angeles.
Bradley was asked, following Toronto’s dominate 4-0 win against the L.A. Galaxy at the StubHub Center on Saturday night, about the possibility of playing for his father, Bob Bradley, who was announced as the coach of the expansion Los Angeles FC, which plays its inaugural season in 2018.
Bradley smiled and shook his head and spoke passionately about how much he loves playing for this TFC side, how much he loves the city and how he wants to finish the job in Toronto.
“That’s why I came,” said Bradley. “That’s why I’m here. I saw an opportunity to come to a club, to come to a city with so much potential — an unbelievable sports city in every way — and I’m so proud of everything that we’ve done in the almost four years that I’ve been here. And after four years, there’s a real connection, a real attachment to the city and to the club and you’re lucky if you can find that in your career. I have that and I’m not giving it up. (I’m) determined to continue to give everything I can to make sure that we can give this city the team and the club they deserve.”
Bradley has made such pronunciations before, but now he leads what is being described as possibly the best MLS side in history. Saturday’s annihilation of the Galaxy — even without stars Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore in the lineup — provided more evidence of that. The fact that Canadian Tosaint Ricketts started only for the sixth time and scored twice against LA further demonstrated that TFC has not only a great starting 11, but a wealth of depth off the bench, all the ingredients of a MLS championship team. Still, it’s not a compliment Bradley and his teammates want to here at this point.
“People can say whatever they want,” said the American international. “We’re going to continue to work, we’re going to continue to play and compete and enjoy every second of it along the way. We want to try to win every game, every trophy. At the end we’ll let the chips fall where they may. But like I said, it’s the process and we’re going to go for it.”
As TFC coach Greg Vanney keeps reminding his club — a team that is on course to set a MLS season points record and win the Supporters’ Shield — that they’ve won nothing yet. Bradley certainly understands that.
“We have to just keep going,” said Bradley. “(And) it comes naturally for this group. We enjoy each moment along the way. We use it to add to the confidence, add to the spirit. Our foot’s got to stay on the gas until the bitter end. You do it because that’s what good teams do, that’s what you’re supposed to do. You look around before every game and you can see it in every guy’s eye, that we’re not worried about anything we’ve done up until this point. We’re not worried about anything that’s coming after and it’s about those 90 minutes and going for it in a real aggressive way.
“This is a lot of fun,” the Princeton, NJ native added. “This is what it’s all about, to be on a team that every week, no matter who you play, no matter where you play, steps on the field with a fearless, aggressive mentality to try to win. That’s fun. Doesn’t mean you win every game, but it means you go for it every weekend and the mentality, the commitment, the willingness to continue to work and continue to improve ... this is a great group.”
With five games remaining before the playoffs, Vanney said he’ll continue to try to get minutes for players like Ricketts. Vanney wants his starters healthy and rested, but at the same time get as many guys possible in a rhythm and ready to play.
“I’ve tried to make sure even with my substitutions, to use guys who maybe I haven’t used as much recently,” said Vanney. “Raheem Edwards (a 75th minute substitution in Saturday’s game for Justin Morrow) was an example. Try to get him out there to get some minutes, keep him going, keep him motivated. It’s always important to keep those guys ready and today he got his run out.”