clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Michael Bradley unsure if he’ll play for USMNT again

The current captain’s future will be in the hands of the next manager.

Trinidad & Tobago v United States  - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images

The United States men’s national team is set to undergo a complete overhaul through the next year after their embarrassing failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. One of the bigger question marks regarding the player pool is if current captain Michael Bradley’s international career will continue on.

Even Bradley himself isn’t sure if his time representing the USA on the world stage is over or not. He recently told the Toronto Sun that he’s in a wait and see pattern when it comes to the USMNT and who the new manager ends up being.

“We’ll see, we’ll see,” Bradley said. “Right now there’s a presidential election. We’ll have to see how that unfolds. Once there’s a president, that president will have to decide who the next coach is going to be.

“My guess is that’s going to take time. Anything is possible, but I’m not sure I expect there to be a full-time coach in until the latter part of the year.”

— Michael Bradley; Source: Toronto Sun (H/T to SBISoccer)

Whenever a new manager is hired by the USSF it will be up to that person to decide whether or not it’s time to move on from Bradley or if he still has something to offer the team. However, the 30-year-old with 140 caps to his name says that he’ll always be ready to accept the call if it comes his way.

“But I’ll always be ready if and when they call to go and do everything I can to help the team.”

The wounds of World Cup qualifying are still fresh among most USMNT supporters. As captain of the team, Bradley has endured a considerable chunk of the backlash from fans. He was boo’d in pretty much every away venue he played in front of after that night in Trinidad & Tobago.

As time passes and the needs of the next player pool are discovered could we Bradley still be among the best options for the U.S. heading into the next cycle? He’ll be 34 when the 2022 World Cup is played. Do you see him being a factor?