For better or worse, manager-father, player-son teams are in it together. Those looking to cause shenanigans will claim that favouritism among father and son teams causes problems. Sons have it rough in the league; Nigel Clough’s manager father, Brian, refused to call the younger Clough by his first name, electing to refer to him as “our number 9” instead. 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. The chore of balancing too much leniency with too much deprecation can be a taxing task.
Bob Bradley and his son are hoping to avoid this kind of problem when they compete in the South African based World Cup Finals this summer.
Michael Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey when Bob was the coach of the Princeton University soccer team. As a youngster, when Bob moved to Illinois to coach the Chicago Fire in the MLS, Michael was brought up in Palatine and at an early age, grew to love the game in the same way as his father.
Due to his excellence in the Junior leagues, Michael was drafted in the 2004 MLS Superdraft, the team which his father coached. 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. Taking over the anchoring role in the team, Bradley made a quick impact at the Dutch side, playing an important role in leading the club to a place in the UEFA Cup and the following season, he added goals to his already impressive performances from midfield, scoring 20 goals in all competitions in season 2007-08.
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. Instead , Borussia Moenchengladbach picked up midfielder Bradley, who has proven to be an asset, playing 58 games in the Bundesliga and racking up seven goals.
Because young Bradley has done so well, no one was really surprised when he was promoted to the ranks of the US National Team. Bob Bradley began coaching the team in 2006, leading Michael to become the core of the US midfield, setting up plays so that offensive players such as Landon Donovan can exercise the freedom to get towards the goal.
Both Bradley men have much to be proud of this summer, when the two will bring the US to compete in South Africa with dreams of winning it all.
Tags: soccer, soccer news, usa soccer, World Cup