For the US to find success at the FIFA World Cup this summer, Michael Bradley will have to play a large part in it.
Luke Cyphers of ESPN writes of the emerging workhorse in the US midfield.
Unfortunately, "enough" isn't a word Bradley understands. About matters of soccer, he is never satisfied. In his short career, the 22-year-old has already pushed the boundaries of what's possible for a U.S. field player. At 17, less than two years after becoming one of the youngest draftees in the history of MLS, Bradley played in 33 games for the MetroStars and scored the goal that clinched the playoffs. At 20, two years after becoming the youngest MLS player sold to Europe, he scored 21 goals for Heerenveen of the Dutch league, most ever by a Yank in a European first division. Now he anchors the midfield for Germany's Borussia Mönchengladbach, having helped the club successfully fend off relegation in the Bundesliga a year ago.
Bradley has made a quick mark in international play, as well. He trained as a nonroster player at the U.S. team's 2006 pre-World Cup camp, and gained his first caps in friendlies under coach Bruce Arena. He played a vital role in the Yanks' win over Brazil that put them in the quarterfinals of the U20 World Cup in 2007. And last year he had both goals in a tone-setting qualifier over Mexico and a key score in the Confederations Cup win over Egypt that put the Yanks on track for their monumental upset of Spain.
But it's the things he does away from the net, what Bradley calls "the dirty work," that make him invaluable -- the unsung, mentally and physically taxing chores like running down loose balls, winning tackles and covering for teammates when the field opens up. "He's feisty in the middle, and it rubs off on other guys," Bocanegra says.
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