The undeniable truth of the matter is this – Michael Bradley is now the all-time leading scorer for an American-born player in a European first division. Yes, you heard correctly. With a large chunk of the season still to come, the twenty-year-old phenom has already laid claim to the title of America’s most lethal export.
Recently, 365 got some face time with the goal-scoring machine to find out what Michael Bradley does every single day to prove he belongs in football’s top echelon.
You’ve made a name for yourself as a footballer at such a young age. What’s the biggest key to your success so far?
I try not to think about it to be honest. I just go into training every day with a good attitude and work as hard as possible. I also make sure to listen to the older guys on my team and listen to my coaches. As a soccer player right now there are not a lot of breaks, so it’s nice because you don’t get too much down time to think about it or anything. For me, I just try to focus on training day after day and then on the weekends I’ve got games. I’m just happy to be able to go into the stadium every day and prove myself as a player.
How has your decision to play in Europe influenced you as a player?
For me, it was always my dream to play professional soccer in Europe. So, when the opportunity came it was something I was very excited for and it was something that I grabbed with both hands. You only have one career and you have to make the most of it. So, looking back, I think my decision to leave MLS and the United States at age eighteen was good for me. It forced me to go to Europe and deal with everything on my own – the good and the bad. I think mentally it made me stronger and it definitely made me a better player.
More and more of your US teammates are taking that same opportunity. How do you see that affecting American soccer and the MNT?
I think it’s good. Obviously, it’s a decision everyone has to make for themselves, but I think it definitely helps our National Team to have as many guys as possible playing for really good teams in the best leagues in Europe. We’ve got guys playing in the Premiership, La Liga, in Holland, in Portugal and in different leagues in Scandinavia. So, I think when you’re able to combine the European players with the guys who are the best players in the MLS, I think that’s a good balance.
How did the residency program at Bradenton, FL help your game?
I think if you ask any fourteen or fifteen-year-old soccer player in the country right now their goal is to be invited into the residency program. I knew of the guys who had gone through that program before me, guys like Landon Donovan and DeMarcus Beasley. I knew it was an incredible chance to live and train and go to school with the best fifteen-year-old soccer players in the country. It sort of replicates what happens in Europe when kids leave home at a younger age to go after their dream.
How do you mentally prepare before each game to prove that you belong?
As an athlete, you have to come mentally prepared for every game and training session. You have to know how to take care of yourself off the field, go home and know what to eat and know when to rest. So to come into training every day knowing you have to prove yourself to be able to get on the field, I think in the end that’s what makes you better.
You’ve had some experience playing against some world-class players. Do you approach the game any differently depending upon who you’re playing against in the midfield?
No matter who you play you want to know what makes you a good player, and you want to know what your good qualities are – what you bring to the team that helps the team. But at the same time, when you’re playing against Ronaldinho or Kaka or someone like that, you want to know in the back of your mind how those guys play and what they like to do. So it’s a balance between doing the things that you’re good at and at the same time knowing the strengths of the other team.
In your career, what has been the most defining soccer moment?
So far, I think I’d say being able to represent the National Team. I think if you ask any player in the world, they’d say representing your country is the best thing you can do. So to me, every time I get called into to play with the National Team it’s an incredible honor and it gives me goose bumps, especially when we have a big game.
What advice would you give to a club baller who wants to take their game to the next level?
I’d say just spend as much time with the ball as possible. There’s no substitute for being good with the ball and being comfortable on the field to do whatever the game asks you to do. Follow your dreams and work hard, and do whatever you have to do to make it happen.
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