Michael Bradley may have been born in New Jersey, but he plays soccer a world away in Italy. Only 24, Bradley is already a veteran of the 2010 World Cup and has been a mainstay in the US midfield over the last four years while his father Bob coached the squad. The firing of Bob Bradley after the US’s loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final to Mexico ushered in a new era under Jurgen Klinsmann. It has also meant that Michael Bradley has to again fight for a spot in the starting lineup.
This past Tuesday, Bradley sat on the bench during the US’s 1-0 loss to Ecuador at Red Bull Arena, only coming in at halftime. At the postgame news conference, Klinsmann heaped praise on Kyle Beckerman, Maurice Edu and the team’s overall midfield depth, saying, “So we get some interesting situations, and for me as a coach, very good options.” He also said Bradley would have to fight to become a starter again.
Bradley, who hails from Princeton and got his pro career start with the MetroStars, spent last season on loan with English club Aston Villa (where he only played in three games) and was dealt to Italian club Chievo Verona this past August. The signing made Bradley the first American to play in Italy’s top flight since Alexi Lalas played with Padova following the 1994 World Cup. Bradley has played four games this season for Chievo, located in a suburb of Verona, and has become a starter over the past few weeks. Chievo host first-place Juventus this Sunday in one of this weekend’s most-riveting clashes.
I caught up with Bradley, where he discussed life under Klinsmann, Serie A and how he is enjoying his time at Chievo.
How have you adapted under Klinsmann and the fact that he’s benched you in favor of Kyle Beckerman and Maurice Edu?
Anytime you go to a new club or join a new team, everyone is always trying to prove themselves. Guys are trying to get a feel for how the coach wants to do things and the way they want to play, the way they want to train and the way they want to run things off the field.
In you opinion, how has the US team been doing under Klinsmann?
We’re playing friendly games and trying to build things and lay the groundwork for how we are going to play [in the future] and what we’re going to be about moving forward. There are no guarantees that every night, every time we step on the field, it’s going to be perfect. There’s still enough there that we feel like we’re moving ourselves along and as we get into the middle part of next year, into qualifying, that we’ll be ready to go.
What can you do moving forward?
Always work hard to make yourself a better player and continue to improve as a player and member of this team.
It’s only been a few weeks, but how are things going at Chievo for you?
It’s a challenge. It’s been a good change for me. I like it. I think it can be good place for me.
How competitive is Serie A and how do you fit into the way the league plays tactically?
The league has always had great players and one of the most spectacular leagues in the world. Serie A, right now, is a league that is made up of a mix of teams. Some are technical and well-drilled. They also have some technically gifted players.
