North Cook News

Michael Sheehan Bradley was born on July 31, 1987, in Princeton, New Jersey. His father, Bob Bradley, was the head soccer coach at Princeton University at the time. The family lived in Pennington, New Jersey, during Michael’s early years.

Michael began his professional soccer career with the MetroStars in Major League Soccer in 2004. He later played in Europe, joining clubs in the Dutch Eredivisie, German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Italian Serie A. He returned to MLS with Toronto FC in 2014. As captain, he led the team to an MLS Cup victory in 2017. He retired from professional soccer in 2023.

Bradley was a key player for the United States national team. He made over 150 international appearances from 2006 to 2019. He played in five CONCACAF Gold Cups and two FIFA World Cups, winning two Gold Cups. He also played in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the Copa América Centenario.

Michael spent his teenage years in Palatine, Illinois. His father coached the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer during this time. Michael played for Sockers FC and attended the United States Under-17 Men’s National Team Residency Program. These experiences shaped his early soccer career.

Today, Michael Bradley is an assistant coach at Norwegian club Stabæk. His journey from Palatine to international soccer success is a testament to his dedication and hard work. His connection to Palatine remains a significant part of his story.