YouthCollegeAdultPro

Michael Bradley breaks US scoring record in major European league

27 Jan, 2008

By: Chris Hummer - Editor, Potomac Soccer Wire

US International Michael Bradley has just scored two more goals (known as a "Brace" in soccer-ese) for his Dutch professional team Herenveen. The brace means goals in four straight games for the 20 year old who left Red Bulls of Major League Soccer for the Netherlands in 2006, and has since cemented his place in the US Men's team. If he was a hot commodity before his recent performance, he is even hotter now. What's next for Bradley?

The Dutch Eredivisie is the home league of famous teams such as Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Known globally for its focus on superior youth development and technical aspects of the game, the league has been a stopping point - or permanent home - for several American players since the 90's. Earnie Stewart, John O'Brien, Cory Gibbs, and Demarcus Beasley have all spent parts of their careers in the league.

Besides Bradley, American players Charles Kazlauskas and Lee Nguyen are plying their trade in Holland for TOP Oss and PSV Eindhoven respectively. The league is often mentioned as the ideal destination for talented technical players who may not have the physical attributes to jump right into the rough and tumble English Premier League or German Bundesliga. And hooking up with PSV, Ajax, or Feyenoord can also mean a shot at UEFA Champions League soccer for aspiring players as well. Freddy Adu was widely believed to be headed to Holland before landing in Portugal with Benfica, a league and club likely resembling those in Holland more than most continental European leagues.

Ironically, Bradley's physical frame does not fit the mold of a midfielder in Holland - at least not one of an American expected to do well there. At 6'1'', he offers other dimensions - height and power - that might explain his ability to score so often from a defensive midfield role. It's no surprise then that his stay in Holland may be coming to an end thanks to his recent form. He could hardly have picked a better time to go on a roll, as the European international transfer window is open through the month of January. Bradley passed on a recent contract renewal offer with Heerenveen, thus making a move to England or Germany easier. It still won't be cheap for any of those teams to pry him away from what's left of his current contract, which ends in June 2009.

Everton, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Hamburg are all clubs mentioned in recent press that may be moving for the son of the current U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley. With an estimated transfer fee (the amount one team must pay another to buy out a player's contract, from which the player usually receives a portion) of $6 million US, the list of teams capable of making a move is limited.

All these rumors however were out before Saturday's brace by Bradley, which propelled his team - temporarily, thanks to PSV's win Sunday - into 2nd place. Monday morning's papers should be loaded with even more speculation and probably with an even higher price tag.

As such a hot commodity, some are speculating Bradley may wait until summer for a shot at one of the really big clubs, but it's quite possible that by the time the full US team convenes for the Mexico clash in Houston on February 6th, young Mr. Bradley may be changing his return flight to England or Germany instead of a round trip back to Holland.
 

« Back to full list of Pro

• Dec 09, 2008
• Dec 05, 2008
• Dec 02, 2008
• Nov 28, 2008
• Nov 25, 2008
• » more