Soccer City Palatine
USA Soccer’s Father Son Team
Being the son of a team manager has both many benefits and a myriad of drawbacks. Complaints of nepotism abound in soccer, and are often submitted by team troublemakers. Nigel Clough is well acquainted with the difficulties of being the son of a team manager; his father Brian Clough, while managing Nigel at Nottingham Forest, refused to address his son by name, calling Nigel “our number 9”. Contrary to popular belief, fathers who manage their sons might actually treat them more harshly than the rest of the team. Manager fathers, it seems, may be far tougher on their offspring than they are on the majority of the team. It is a fine balancing act for the manager and the player and it can be problematic.
Not that this will be a problem for Bob Bradley and his son Michael during this summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa. One exception to the rule seems to be the Bradley family, US Coach Bob Bradley and his son Michael, who will compete in the World Cup Finals together this summer in South Africa.
Bob welcomed his son into the world while working as the coach of the Princeton University soccer team. When Michael was young, his father received a position coaching the MLS Chicago Fire, and Michael was raised in Palatine, gaining a love for the game that rivalled that of his father. After Bob gained a position with the Chicago Fire, Michael grew up in Palatine, and began to enjoy the sport immensely.
The first time the father and son team worked together was when, in 2004, after Junior League fame, Michael signed in the MLS Superdraft to the New York Metrostars, a team coached by his father. Michael’s second year was big for both father and son, with a proud Bob leading his team into playoffs and Michael heading in the goal against Chivas USA that got them there.
His energetic performances at the heart of midfield as an anchor for Metrostars had caught the eye in foreign climes and in January 2006, New York Metrostars allowed Bradley to leave the club when he was sold to SC Heerenveen of Holland. Bradley quickly impressed the Dutch, playing a key role in the club achieving a place in the UEFA cup and, the following season, scoring an impressive 20 goals in 2007-2008.
Bradley’s success soon attracted the attention of bigger clubs wanting him in their soccer apparel, like Birmingham City, who wanted to sign Bradley but could not due to the relegation handed down from the Premier League. The midfielder was eventually chosen by Borussia Moenchengladbach, and has done well for the German team, playing in no less than 58 games and scoring seven goals for the team.
On the back of such impressive performances, Bradley’s promotion to the National Team ranks was assured. Bob, the elder Bradley, began coaching the US team, and the pair worked together to bring Michael to his current role as the meat of the US midfield sandwich, helping offensive players like Landon Donovan to score big for the team.
The US team is thankful for the father and son duo as they head on to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this summer.
Chicago Force 4:2 Cracovia O40
