After years of terrorizing CF Montreal and other Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley decided on Tuesday to retire at the end of the season.
Saturday’s game against Orlando City SC will be the final chapter in the 36-year-old American’s career and also the last in another difficult season for the Reds.
Over the years, the Bradley name has been synonymous with success in Toronto. Since his arrival in 2014, the Queen City representatives have won the 2017 MLS Cup and four Canadian championships.
“On January 13, 2014, I sat at a press conference and said I had never “been more excited, determined and motivated for a challenge in my entire career.” I meant every single one of those words,” Bradley said in a statement. Over the last 10 years I have put my heart and soul, sweat and tears into helping this club as best as I can. There were some incredible days – moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life – and some bad ones too. But I never stopped giving everything I had.”
Bradley was always very calm defensively and also acted as a passer for several of the team’s top scorers such as Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco and Alejandro Pozuelo. He scored 17 goals and provided 41 assists in MLS, having also played for the New York Red Bulls in 2005.
“During the last decade at Toronto FC, Michael Bradley became a club legend. As captain of more than 300 games, Michael has won several trophies throughout his career and represented his club in the best possible way,” said President Bill Manning.
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The New Jersey native has had the opportunity to play in Europe for various clubs including AS Roma (Italy), Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany), Aston Villa (England) and SC Heerenveen (Netherlands).
Bradley has not been in the American selection’s plans since 2019 and is still one of their best color carriers. At the age of 18, he was invited for the first time by Bruce Arena and played 151 games, the third highest total in United States history.