All Roads Lead to Roma: Bradley in the Eternal City v. I

Bradley. Would have loved to see you stay at ROMA or return to Bundesliga or Spain. It wasn't that long ago that Valencia was interested.

 

Here's my write-up on Bradley to TFC:
http://www.soccernewsday.com/usa/a/1539/with-bradley-joining-tfc-yanks-not-so-abroad-anymore

Roma went 2-0-3 when Bradley started games for them this season (not 1-0-2 which my editor mistakenly put). There has seemed to be a lot of misconception when it comes to Bradley's time with Roma this year. Injury kept him out for a long stretch and he was a key aspect to the team's rotation. In fact, i'd argue that he could have given De Rossi a hard time yet again this season. Had this transfer not have happened, he probably would have started against Sampdoria and a good performance against them could have led to him gradually finding a spot in the starting 11. Regardless of who he replaced or whether someone like Pjanic possibly moved on, I expected him to find his way back in their starting 11.

 

That's right. Both of Harkes' parents are from Scotland, so his kid would be eligible for a UK passport regardless of where he was born.

 

Obviously Bradley had a completely different take on his upcoming minutes, let alone starting.

 

I think it's time to start a forum for the big American players in MLS. It's fun to talk in depth about our favorite players, but we don't really have a dedicated place to discuss them when they ply their trade in MLS.

 

It always going to be rough for Bradley starting at Roma but he would get his games. Maybe 1/2 a month and probably 20 mins a match coming off the bench. He was dependable and reliable and with low wages, it's no wonder Roma wanted to keep him. Plus he being a Yank was perfect for their continued growth into the USA.

 

MLS Flavors of the Month in USMNT N&A is where I've done that in the past.

 

Not necessarily. It will be interesting to hear from Bradley because I get the feeling he wasnt really looking for a move away from Roma but an incredible offer (in terms of money) came in & in a lot of ways he felt foolish not to take it. That's how I read the situation. I really dont think playing time or his position within the team had much to do with the move but we'll see.

 

Yeah, as soon as TFC stepped in the only thing Bradley was likely pondering was where to build his Scrooge McDuck money tower.

 

Following AS Roma’s 1-0 win against Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia on Thursday, Coach Rudi Garcia sounded off on U.S. internationalMichael Bradley’s decision to leave the Italian giant for MLS club Toronto FC. “It’s a shame Bradley is leaving, but he wanted to go and we cannot keep hold of a player who doesn’t want to be here,” the Frenchman said. “It’s a pity and I understand he wanted more playing time, as it’s difficult to get space in our midfield. We wish him all the best in his new adventure."

"http://www.socceramerica.com/article/55729/garcia-on-bradleys-departure.html

"The arrival of [Radja] Nainggolan at Roma has also contributed to Bradley's choice," [Bradley's] agent explained. "At Roma he never felt like an important player for the team."

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/agent-michael-bradley-toronto-fc-162000571--mls.html

 

How is this thread not closed yet?

 

Maybe he's taking the QE2 home and it's taking awhile not to be abroad???

 

None of those came from Bradley's mouth though. That's why I want to hear from him. I know the quotes from yahoo come from his agent but I have a very hard time believing he didnt feel "important" at Roma. & sure Nainggolan may have contributed to his decision. I said I dont believe his position within the team had "much" to do with the move. Money was the deciding factor. He may have been more persuaded to simply take the offer from Toronto by Nainggolan's move to Rome. There's nothing out there atm that convinces me he was avidly looking for a move before Toronto's offer. Things can often get very misconstrued when a player leaves a club after all..

 

From Holland to Italy, his time in Europe has to be 1 of the best careers for an American.

 

Seltzer was giving a blow by blow the whole time, and he reported Bradley being unhappy with his playing time and meeting w/ Garcia last week, then Nainggolan coming in last Monday, Toronto made their first approach on Wednesday.

You find it hard to believe he didn't feel important? They kept buying players in his position and paying them much more than him. He's not actually a robot, of course it bothered him. Their actions said they saw him as cheap depth.

 

I say we wait until he's officially presented by TFC.

 

I'm guessing he meant Italy doesn't grant citizenship based on being born in Italy. Luca Bradley has no claim to Italian citizenship.

Dual citizenship is not a problem for Italy or America (although I know the US discourages it, officially).

 

Are you sure the US discourages dual citizenship? I don't think so because I got my Italian citizenship though the Italian Consulate on Webster Street in San Francisco CA and have maintained both since after 9/11/2001 when things supposedly became more difficult. Many of my colleagues , friends and relatives have done the same.

Anyway, back to Bradley, he could very well return to Europe as he is still young enough. Not sure if he will though for at least another 2 year though.

 

Yes. Their official position is they discourage it. They don't disallow it and there is no active disapproval (I did say in my post it is not a problem to have dual citizenship for America). The reason they discourage it is because potentially they cannot help you if you find yourself in trouble in another country. Basically, they don't endorse it.

My wife is Italian and has recently gained US citizenship, my kids are dual citizens, and I qualify for Italian citizenship, but have not pursued it.

 

Hmmmmmm. Never knew that. Well I'm sure she or we won't have any problems unless we pull an Amanda Knox stateside!

 

I'm working on getting citizenship for a Euro country and haven't encountered any issues at all.

Also, and word on if Mikey has a buyout clause in his contract? I'd hope he left himself an escape route of things go south or aren't what he hoped it would be. I could definitely see him wanting to go back to Europe at 28.

 

I really, really hope so

 

One semi-"Up-side" about the relatively low MLS salary scales is players will be more likely to chance a trip to lower league (but decent-paying) European leagues to prove their mettle and perhaps work their way to "higher" leagues....