Michael Bradley has been on this trajectory, seemingly, his entire life.
Now, as Head Coach of Red Bull New York, it’s a fully full circle moment for the young manager, returning to the place where he made his professional debut as a player, in the area he called home for many years.
Growing up as the son of one of the most respected American coaches in the sport, Bradley now gets to make his mark on an MLS team of his own, hot off raising the club’s latest trophy in MLS NEXT Pro.
"It's just an incredible opportunity, as a young coach, the chance to be able to work inside an organization like Red Bull, [at] a club like Red Bull New York,” Bradley said when he joined the organization.
Over his decorated two decade playing career – starting with this organization at just 16 – Bradley has proven his mettle on- and off-the pitch. He’s led his clubs, and just as notably, his national team, with 151 caps for the United States, serving as captain for 48 of them.
This sport is, quite notably, in his blood.
"The love for being on the field every day, for being a part of a team, being in a group, trying to do something special,” Bradley has said about his love for the game.
His professionalism and dedication have set a standard for what it means to represent both club and country.
“The support that I get, the organization and infrastructure in place," Bradley said of joining RBNY.
On the field, he exemplified what it means to be a true professional, balancing the demands of club and international soccer with grace and determination. Off the field, it’s been even more of the same.
He knows what it’s like to be a professional at a young age – and he knows what it takes to mold someone into a player that teams want on their squad.
"I am fortunate that I have been in their shoes,” Bradley has said. “I know what it's like. I can relate to so much of what they're going through. But again, I still try to, I try to tuck it away and understand them, but then still be able to coach them here and now and help them with, with where they are in, in their journey."
His goal as Head Coach will be to shape a team to his style, the Red Bull style. A blend of talents, together, as a team.
“We concentrate on ourselves, on our football, our ideas, trying to bring the players in here every day and put them in an environment that is going to allow them to improve individually and as a group," he has said.
And he’s just getting started.
"I love coaching. this is what I want to do,” Bradley said. “I'm as committed as ever to try to improve, push myself to be the best coach that I can."
