Bradley worth every penny
Many said his contract was too rich, but an MLS Cup proves it worthwhile
TORONTO — Google “Michael Bradley: Overpaid.”
Then have a laugh.
Prominent pundits were like parakeets when Toronto FC inked Bradley for a blinding, multi-million dollar sum in early 2014. They couldn’t see beyond the many, many dollar signs.
The signing didn’t make sense, they said.
Not at that price. Not for what Bradley had to offer.
Former ESPN pundit Alexi Lalas — known to trade barbs with Bradley from time-to-time — used his national TV platform to claim Bradley wasn’t worth the price.
Others whispered it behind the scenes amid pondering if The General could accomplish what he said he’d do three years ago: Turn TFC into a “winning team.”
Funny how fast chirping ceases when wins and records and trophies speak for themselves, isn’t it?
Bradley let results do most, but not all, of the talking.
It’s why MLSE’s Board handed Bradley a Brinks truck full of dough — for his play and commitment and mentality and, most of all, his laser focus.
The club’s top brass knew it needed a figurehead, a legend, a spokesman, a leader, within a dressing room they spent three seasons overhauling.
Morrow was there from the start. As was Jonathan Osorio. Both started Saturday night’s 2-0 MLS Cup win over the Seattle Sounders. Both were immense.
Asked earlier this season what Bradley meant to Toronto FC’s locker room, Morrow laughed while struggling to find words to describe his captain’s contributions.
“It’s Michael Bradley,” he repeated. And repeated. And repeated.
Morrow continued by saying Bradley’s detractors just “don’t know” what they’re talking about, an understatement.
Few players, if any, in MLS history have been able to do what Bradley’s done for his team, for his city. He’s part of the reason why guys like Jozy Altidore and Drew Moor are here.
He helped make the Reds a destination for Altidore, the MLS Cup MVP, and Moor, a veteran Bradley singled out post-game as playing a huge role in TFC’s transformation.
“The group we had was so committed, so focussed,” Bradley explained. “I think I’m a pretty driven person. At times I have to make sure I don’t wear guys out.
“For me, there’s no problem to go 24 hours a day, every single day. But I understand everybody is different. I know I have to pick and choose moments to say things.
“With this team, it was incredible. There was never one moment where I looked around and felt like guys were losing focus or forgetting about what we wanted to do.”
Bradley wouldn’t let them. The other big players on the team wouldn’t let them. The result: Reds fans will remember every guy on the pitch last night for years and decades to come.
They’ll remember Alex Bono for coming up big in back-to-back series against the Red Bulls and Columbus to help TFC get to Saturday night’s final.
Justin Morrow for his tireless work rate and the Best XI quality he’s shown over multiple seasons.
Chris Mavinga for his athleticism and the last-ditch tackles that preserved so many points this year.
Moor for being the free agent signing who finally provided TFC with a consistent, rock solid centre back and defensive leader.
Eriq Zavaleta for being the “who cares” signing who turned into a 27-game starter in TFC’s recordsetting season.
Steven Beitashour for being the reliable, right-sided defensive stalwart who recovered from a disturbing pancreas injury this season in time for the playoffs.
Marky Delgado for being the young midfielder Vanney unearthed out of nowhere — the perfect ball-mover in a midfield that included Bradley and Victor Vazquez.
Vazquez for being the league’s best off-season addition — a player who passes and reads the game like few others in North America.
Sebastian Giovinco for being the best player in MLS history after he showed up TFC’s biggest moment.
And Altidore for what he’s done in these playoffs, scoring seven times in 10 post-season starts for the Reds.
Coach Greg Vanney for moulding this TFC side into a tacticallyfluid MLS juggernaut.
General manager Tim Bezbatchenko and President Bill Manning for building the scouting network that targeted the aforementioned players.
With the blessing of his board, Ex-MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke will be remembered for being the patriarch of what you witnessed on the weekend.
Where would the Reds be without a man the Toronto Sun once called “The Ultimate Entertainer”?
Where would Toronto FC be if Bradley and Altidore and Giovinco and Vazquez had chosen Europe over Canada?
“We built from Michael. He’s one of four guys who were a part of our team three years ago,” Vanney said. “We went through adding the right people.
“The second part is creating an environment where everyone is bought in and they feel they’re a part of something special.”
While most of the questions and conversation Saturday night centered around MLS Cup, Vanney did hint the Reds aren’t done.
Toronto’s bench boss offered a brief reminder Toronto FC is hunting down MLS’ first Champions League title in a few months.
Win that and some of those same pundits might argue Bradley isn’t paid enough.
You’d get no argument from supporters in Toronto.