Bradley, Michael

Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 07/31/1987
Height: 6' 2"   Weight: 175 lbs
Pro Team: Roma
Caps: 72
Goals: 11

A product of the US Soccer academy at Bradenton, FL, Michael bypassed college to enter the Major League Soccer SuperDraft where he was selected 36th overall by the Metrostars.  In his sophomore season, Bradley became a regular with the Metrostars, and a transfer target when that season ended. 

After the 2005 season, Michael left MLS for Holland's Heerenveen, the youngest MLS player ever to be transferred to a foreign club.  In 2006, US National Team coach Bruce Arena brought Bradley in as a practice player for the World Cup squad, training with them in Cary and participating in the friendly schedule, but not traveling to Germany with the team. 

Bradley has been a regular during the 2007 National Team friendly schedule, and was included on the Gold Cup roster. In October he scored his first goal for the National Team, a late game winner against Switzerland. His goal-scoring performances in midfield for Heerenveen in the 2007-08 season began to capture the attention of English Premier League teams in early 2008, reportedly Sunderland and Everton. 

A major transfer target during the '08 summer window, Bradley ended up moving to the Bundesliga with recently promoted Borussia Moenchengladbach. In January, 2011, he moved to Aston Villa in England's Premier League on loan for the rest of the season.  In August, he signed with Chievo Verona in Italy's Serie A.

National Team Highlights
2012: Started against Italy on Feb 29th. Scored against Scotland on May 26th. Scored against Russia on Nov 14th.
2011: Started against Argentina on March 26th. A regular starter in the Gold Cup run, scoring in the Gold Cup final against Mexico on June 25th.
2010: Named to the World Cup roster. Started all four of the games in South Africa and scored the second goal to draw with Slovenia.
2009: Started and scored both goals against Mexico on Feb 11th.  Started against El Salvador on March 28th.  Started against Costa Rica on June 3rd, but missed the next game against Honduras due to card accumulation.  Part of the Confederations Cup squad and key to the 3-0 win against Egypt that advanced the US to the knockout stage. Scored the first goal in the final game of World Cup Qualifying, a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica on Oct 14th.  Started both of the Nov friendlies.
2008: Started in February 2-2 exhibition tie against Mexico, played in multiple World Cup Qualifiers.
2007: Made his first start against Guatemala on March 28.  Part of the 2007 Gold Cup squad. Starter against Brazil in September exhibition game at Soldier Field, and made 15 appearances in the course of the year (one goal)
2006: While a practice player at World Cup camp in Cary, NC, Bradley was included on the travel roster for the Send Off Series of friendlies.  He made his debut on May 26th against Venezuela and appeared against Latvia.

Professional Highlights
2011-12: Regular with Chievo, finishing midtable in Serie A.  Transferred to AS Roma in the offseason.
2010-11: Regular with 'Gladbach, but was loaned to Aston Villa in the EPL for the rest of the season during the January window.  Signed with Chievo Verona for the 2011-12 season.
2009-10: Regular starter with 'Gladbach, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga.
2008-09: Moved to the Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach where he was already played under three different head coaches.  Part of the squad that barely avoided relegation.
2007-08: Now a key starter in midfield for Heerenveen as the club pushed for a top-five spot in the Eredivisie. Had scored 12 league goals (and 16 in all competitions) by February, making him the team's leading scorer.  Finished the season with 17 goals, a new record for a US player in Europe.
2006-07: Makes 14 appearances for Heerenveen.
2006: Leaves MLS for Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.
2005: Makes 30 appearances for the Metros, scoring one goal. 
2004: Joins the Metrostars.