TimB4Last
09 Oct 2008, 08:27 AM
Pretty much a puff piece on young Bradley, but still an interesting (if familiar) review of Mike's special opportunities growing up. Naturally, I zeroed in on certain comments {bolded}...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/10/08/ST2008100803634.html
....
"It was the only thing I knew," he {MB} said. "Aside from having to go to school, soccer was all I did. I was always around it. The weekend would come and I'd watch games on TV from Europe. I don't think there was one day where I suddenly decided to pursue it as a career. It was always what I wanted to do."
....
Inevitably, playing for his father attracted largely unfounded criticism from fans.
....
In the media spotlight, Bob Bradley doesn't like talking about his son from a family perspective, but watching him grow up around the game brings a sense of pride. "You hope your kids are passionate about something in life, and being around soccer and being around good people all the time has obviously contributed to Michael's passion."
Michael doesn't let the scrutiny bother him.
"It's not something I can change," said Michael, who, when in Europe, speaks on the phone with his father almost daily. "People will talk, but it's not something I worry about. The most important thing for me is that every time I come into camp -- the way I play, the way I train, the way I act -- I am able to earn the respect of the other guys on the team and the coaches. If I can accomplish that, I couldn't care less what a bunch of people on the outside think.
....
**********
As one of those on the outside, perhaps I should clarify what I mean by special opportunities, since I mean much more than Bradenton, getting drafted by Dad to the Metrostars and (first) called up first by Dad's friend and (later) by Dad himself to the National team. The real opportunity was having a Dad who was a professional soccer coach and getting to tag along with him to practices and play, play, play with better players - often with professional players. We should wish for more players with this kind of experience growing up, not fewer, and at long last MLS seems to have turned its attention to youth development.
Anyway, I'll be at Saturday's game, rooting for Mike and the guys. I'm also about to take something of a break from the rigors of BS posting.
Enjoy the soccer, guys - I'll be seeing you (in all the old familiar forums)!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/10/08/ST2008100803634.html
....
"It was the only thing I knew," he {MB} said. "Aside from having to go to school, soccer was all I did. I was always around it. The weekend would come and I'd watch games on TV from Europe. I don't think there was one day where I suddenly decided to pursue it as a career. It was always what I wanted to do."
....
Inevitably, playing for his father attracted largely unfounded criticism from fans.
....
In the media spotlight, Bob Bradley doesn't like talking about his son from a family perspective, but watching him grow up around the game brings a sense of pride. "You hope your kids are passionate about something in life, and being around soccer and being around good people all the time has obviously contributed to Michael's passion."
Michael doesn't let the scrutiny bother him.
"It's not something I can change," said Michael, who, when in Europe, speaks on the phone with his father almost daily. "People will talk, but it's not something I worry about. The most important thing for me is that every time I come into camp -- the way I play, the way I train, the way I act -- I am able to earn the respect of the other guys on the team and the coaches. If I can accomplish that, I couldn't care less what a bunch of people on the outside think.
....
**********
As one of those on the outside, perhaps I should clarify what I mean by special opportunities, since I mean much more than Bradenton, getting drafted by Dad to the Metrostars and (first) called up first by Dad's friend and (later) by Dad himself to the National team. The real opportunity was having a Dad who was a professional soccer coach and getting to tag along with him to practices and play, play, play with better players - often with professional players. We should wish for more players with this kind of experience growing up, not fewer, and at long last MLS seems to have turned its attention to youth development.
Anyway, I'll be at Saturday's game, rooting for Mike and the guys. I'm also about to take something of a break from the rigors of BS posting.
Enjoy the soccer, guys - I'll be seeing you (in all the old familiar forums)!