HARRISON, N.J. (August 21, 2026) – On Thursday, Red Bull New York Head Coach Michael Bradley was named a finalist for election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
After releasing the names of all eligible candidates on July 28, the 61 candidates on the Player Eligibility List have been reduced to 20. The first-year head coach is one of nine who are in their first year of eligibility.
Over the next several weeks, the Hall of Fame Voting Committee will gather and decide which candidates will be elected to the new class.
A maximum of six new members are allowed to be elected: three Players, two Veterans and one Builder.
The 2027 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on April 16 in Frisco, Texas.
Bradley played professionally for 20 seasons, beginning his career with the MetroStars after being selected 36th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
Playing two seasons in his home state, the central midfielder went on to have a successful career in Europe, playing for SC Heerenveen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Aston Villa, Chievo and A.S. Roma.
After an extensive career overseas, Bradley returned to MLS and joined Toronto FC in 2014, where he made 308 career appearances for the club and won a plethora of silverware, including the double in 2017 (MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield).
At the international level, the former captain had 151 caps for the U.S. men’s national team, which is third-most by a player in USMNT history.
Retiring in 2023, Bradley began his coaching career as an assistant coach with Stabæk Fotball in Norway.
Two years later, after joining the Canadian national team as a guest assistant coach during the June international window, the Princeton, N.J., native was named the head coach of Red Bull New York II.
In his lone season with the club, he led them to their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Cup after securing a 3-1 penalty shootout victory against Colorado Rapids 2 on November 8, 2025, at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Upon his appointment on December 15, 2025, Bradley became the second permanent head coach in franchise history to have played for the club.
