TORONTO – Michael Bradley’s goal celebrations are often as intense and powerful as he is on the field.
Take, for example, the ferocious roar Bradley unleashed after scoring an equalizer against the New England Revolution last weekend. Or his fist pump after opening the scoring against Columbus early last season, repeated once again at the tail end of 2014 after he found a late winner in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers.
Compare that with his first goal in MLS during his time with the New York MetroStars, and you can see just how far Bradley has come. Goals have become statements for Bradley, the captain of a side in the process of finding their identity.
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As such, TFC head coach Greg Vanney has now shifted Bradley to the top of a four-man diamond midfield, with Benoit Cheyrou behind him in support. That shift puts him in line with his role for the US national team, in an advanced position that Jurgen Klinsmann was quite vocal about last year. It’s a role Bradley says he’s comfortable in.
“Over the course of my career, I’ve played on a lot of different teams in a lot of different roles,” Bradley said. “It doesn’t ever change what I’m about, in terms of stepping on the field and trying to take as much responsibility as I can and give everything I have to help the team win.”
Vanney says the kinds of attacking runs Bradley makes with the USMNT can be expected when the midfielder gets on the ball with the Reds.
“It’s very difficult for defensive midfielders to track his runs with the power he gets going forward,” Vanney said. “He doesn’t play it in a traditional sort of attacking midfielder kind of way. He’ll drop deep and build some speed and power like he did on the goal going forward. That’s always dangerous, especially with the way we play.”
Fine-tuning the way Toronto FC plays has been a big focus for Vanney in recent weeks. Injuries to key players keep piling up – Mark Bloom, Steven Caldwell, Joe Bendik, Robbie Findley and Jozy Altidore, each of whom can be considered regular starters, have and may continue to miss a number of games – forcing TFC to adjust.
Altidore will be out for 4-5 weeks after picking up a hamstring strain, while Bendik and Bloom are closest to returning.
The absence of Altidore may see Bradley play even further up the field as the team tweaks their attacking look once more. And, while Bradley is playing in a more advanced position for now, he says that adjustment doesn’t mean he’ll change the way he approaches each match.
“Certainly, at the moment, playing in that role allows me to have a little bit more freedom in terms of moving around, attacking but still defending,” Bradley said. “But, I’m not going to be a guy in that spot who’s just waiting and walking around as things go on. I can give us a little bit of energy and power and the ability to still move forward but come back and help us defend in certain moments. I’m not always so worried about the role or the position as much as stepping on the field and competing as hard as I can to help us be successful.”
