LAFC’s Bradley captures coach of year honors
Bob Bradley, a veteran American tactician who helped Los Angeles FC capture this year’s Supporters’ Shield in what was a record-breaking season, was named the 2019 MLS Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year on Wednesday, the league announced.
This is Bradley’s third time winning the award. He was also the recipient in 1998 when he led the Chicago Fire to win MLS Cup in its inaugural season, and again in 2006 when he rebuilt now-defunct Chivas USA into a playoff team.
Bradley, whose career stops also include the New York Metrostars, U.S. men’s national team, Egypt men’s national team, Stabaek, Le Havre, and Swansea City, is LAFC’s first head coach.
In its second year in MLS and under Bradley’s care, the club set MLS’ single-season points record (72) and tied the singleseason goals record (85).
Bradley and his staff have built an MLS Cup contender this season, though their next task is facing their crosstown rivals LA Galaxy Thursday night at Banc of California Stadium, which will be a Western Conference semifinals edition of El Trafico.
LAFC (21-4-9) have had the personnel to execute Bradley’s tactics on the pitch all season.
Role players like MarkAnthony Kaye, Jordan Harvey and Latif Blessing have been consistent contributors all year while the club has also profited greatly from stars like league-leading scorer Carlos Vela — who broke the single-season scoring record (34 goals) — plus Diego Rossi, Eduard Atuesta and Lee Nguyen.
MLS technical staff, select media and players voted for the coach-ofthe-year award.
Bradley dominated in every category: He earned 39.80% of the vote from technical staffs, 53.79% from players and 50.58% from media.
Overall, Bradley carried 48.06 percent of the final vote total. New York City FC’s Dome Torrent was second — but with 15.89 percent of the total vote.
Also receiving votes were Jim Curtin of the Philadelphia Union (13.11%), Adrian Heath of Minnesota United (6.83%), Matias Almeyda of the San Jose Earthquakes (6.70%), and Bruce Arena of the New England Revolution (5.07%).
Bradley is now tied with Arena for most coach-of-the-year wins.
Inter Miami adds Ulloa: Midfielder Victor Ulloa is reportedly on the verge of joining Inter Miami CF ahead of its inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
Ulloa, 27, spent the 2018 season with FC Cincinnati, but has had his rights traded to Miami, according to The Athletic.
Born in Mexico but raised in the Dallas suburb of Wylie, Ulloa joined the FC Dallas academy in 2009 before signing with the club’s senior team in 2010.
Ulloa recorded five goals in 144 appearances with FC Dallas but was traded to Cincinnati last year in a deal worth up to $250,000. He scored one goal in 26 appearances for Cincinnati, which finished the 2018 season last in the Eastern Conference.
Ulloa thanked Cincinnati for his time at the club in a brief statement posted to Twitter on Wednesday morning.
Inter Miami is in the process of building its team ahead of the 2020 season. Ulloa would be the club’s sixth signing, joining defender Christian Makoun, midfielders Matias Pellegrini, George Acosta and David Norman Jr., and striker Julian Carranza.