by Jackie Holmes

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

Michael Bradley is one of the most promising American soccer players of his generation, playing in Midfield. Born on July 31st 1987 in Princetown, New Jersey, the son of Bob Bradley the current manager of the United States men's national football team. Bradley spent his teenage years living in Illinois whilst his father coached the Chicago Fire soccer team, playing for Sockers FC. His potential was apparent at an early age and led to him being awarded a place at the IMG soccer academy in Florida, which is also the USA's dedicated training facility for the national under 17 team, he attended for four semesters between 2002 and 2004.

Before leaving the academy he signed a Generation Adidas Project 40 contract with MLS, thus turning professional at the tender age of 16 and entered into the 2004 MLS Superdraft. He was selected by the Metrostars who at the time were coached by his father, his first season being a disappointment and hindered by injury. In the 2005 season however he managed to gain a starting spot and became an integral part of their team, playing 30 out of 32 matches. During this season he also managed to score his first goal against Chivas, a goal which helped lead the team to victory and snatched a playoff spot for his team in their last game of the 2005 season.

This game turned out to be the last Bradley would play for Metrostars and in January 2006 he became the youngest MLS player ever to be sold when he was transferred to SC Heerenveen. His first start for the Dutch club was on April 16, 2006 in a match against AZ Alkmaar, a further three starts followed in the second half of his first seasons and he helped the club qualify for the UEFA cup. His second season proved to be much more successful for his personal objectives, as he took the place of the retired Paul Bosvelt. Bradley played a total of 16 goals in 55 games in the Dutch Erevision as well as a further 4 goals in other competitions, a very impressive strike rate for a midfielder. During his second season he also beat the record for the most goals scored in a single season by an American player in Europe.

His successful spell with SC Heerenveen proved to be a short one, with his transfer in the close season to the German Bundesliga on August 31st 2008 to play for Borussia Monchengladbach, making his debut a few weeks later in a defeat against Hertha Berlin. On 15th November 2008 he scored his first goal for his new team against Bayern Munich, a goal which proved to be the equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

As well as very respectable club performances, Bradley also plays for the United States National Team, having first been brought into the squad in May 2006. He missed out on a place in the World Cup Squad that summer, but was included in the roster for three preparation games before the tournament. It was during these preparations that he won his first cap on May 26th against Venezuela. He has since become a regular for the United States team and played a role in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping the U.S. team to the title. In addition he has played for U-20 squad in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and for the United States team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He scored his first international goal on October 17th, 2007 with the winning goal against Switzerland in a friendly.

At the tender age of just 21, having played 27 games for the national team, as well as 101 games at club level, Bradley surely has to be one of the most promising players ever to emerge out of America. Along with players such as Freddie Adu, Bradley must surely be a sign of greater things to come from American soccer.

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