Michael Bradley

When Michael Bradley first appeared on the scene in the MLS and the US Mens National Team there was a lot of talk of it being because of nepotism on his father's part, Bob Bradley. When Dutch club Heerenveen bought him from the MLS and the then Metrostars in 2005, many fans thought it was still much of the same. That it was not young Bradley's skills but his connections that were bringing about the move.

Since then Michael has racked up 30 caps for the USMNT. Just as importantly he's made 59 appearances and scored 16 goals for his club SC Heerenveen.





Seeing him score goals like this 61st game winner against Roda this weekend leaves me wondering if he isn't the most important midfielder in the current USMNT pool. Is that the case? Or does Michael Bradley still have some work to do before attaining that level?

How To Become A Pro Soccer Player...

...and a good one at that. Sports Illustrated has a profile of American midfielder Michael Bradley. Kids out there reading. Learn from Mike. Be Like Mike. Learn all you can about soccer. Face the things you're bad at. Work hard. Play whenever you can. You might be able to run around in a soccer jersey with hearts on it too.

No one tripped over their tongues to praise Bradley going into the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected 36th overall and most people thought that was because his dad, Bob Bradley, was sitting at the draft table of his new team, the New York MetroStars.

See kids. You don't have to be the next Freddy Adu to find success. Just work hard.