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The USMNT’s already thin midfield depth will take another hit to start 2020 as Toronto FC General Manager Ali Curtis announced on Monday that Michael Bradley will undergo surgery. The procedure is to fix a severely sprained ankle that the American sustained during MLS Cup against Seattle Sounders.
It’s expected that the former U.S. captain could miss up to four months recovering. That timeline would rule Bradley out of the USMNT’s March friendlies against the Netherlands (March 26) and Wales (March 30).
Michael Bradley will have surgery tomorrow in NYC. Ali Curtis said he had a “severe” ankle injury in MLS Cup. Could be out for four months.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) January 20, 2020
The surprising thing about this news is how long its taken to make the decision to have surgery. With the injury happening back in November, why wait nearly two months to go under the knife? According to Curtis, rehabbing the ankle was the first decision made, but that it didn’t help, leaving surgery as the only option.
For those asking, Curtis said surgery was a last resort and club believed they could rehab injury. #TFCLive
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) January 20, 2020
Bradley’s place within the USMNT is obviously a hot button topic. While he’s not the guaranteed starter he was a few years ago, he’s still a legitimate option in the midfield with the lack of quality options available. Now that he’s not a factor for Gregg Berhalter to consider, it’s wide open for other central midfielders in the pool to prove their worth.
Will the USMNT miss Bradley while he’s out? Which midfielders in the pool do you think need to step up and take advantage of this opportunity? Have your say below.