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Monday Kickoff: Bradley scores in Roma friendly, Man Utd near Buttner deal, and more

Michael Bradley Roma (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

AS Roma has concluded their preseason preparations for the upcoming Serie A campaign, and Michael Bradley looks ready to tackle the season head-on.

Bradley scored in Roma's final preseason friendly on Sunday, netting the second goal in the Italian club's 3-0 win over Greek side Aris FC. The U.S. men's national team midfielder got on the end of a cross and snapped a header low and away to give his team an insurance goal in the second half.

While it is uncertain if Bradley has earned a full-time starting role with his preseason performances, Bradley could make his Serie A debut when Roma opens their season at home on Sunday against Catania.

Here is the goal as well as other stories to help get your Monday going:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK0iyYerE6Y?feature=player_embedded] 

BUTTNER CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH MAN UTD

Manchester United are close to bolstering their options in defense, as they are nearing the completion of a deal for Dutch defender Alexander Buttner. The 23-year-old fullback has flown to England for a medical and looks set to seal a move away from Vitesse Arnhem. Buttner drew interest from Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham earlier in the transfer window.

MAN CITY ACCIDENTALLY BID FOR MESSI IN 2008

Barcelona selling Leo Messi is a pipe dream, but Manchester City accidentally made an offer for him in 2008. Former Manchester City chief executive Gary Cook explains in his new book that when an executive said over the phone that 'things were getting messy', it somehow was understood as 'get Messi'. In turn, City offered Barcelona an insulting $47 million for the star player before the Spanish heavyweights turned it down.

U-20 USWNT OPEN WORLD CUP WITH BIG WIN OVER GHANA

The U.S. U-20 women's national team started their World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Monday, beating Ghana, 4-0, in their Group D opener at Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium. Maya Hayes led the way for the Americans with a hat-trick performance, but the decisive tally came courtesy of an own goal from Linda Addai. The U.S. team next take on China PR on Thursday.

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What type of season do you think Bradley will have with Roma? Hoping Manchester United signs Buttner? Impressed with the U-20 USWNT's World Cup-opening win?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Yeah MB90 will be in the starting line-up for Zemen no doubts about it. Bradley has been Roma’s most consistent and one of their best players in pre-season.

    Bradley will play the box to box mid. And thats exactly where he should be played for the USMNT as well. Jones should play as the CDM.

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  2. I’ve watch every Roma preseason match and Bradley has been their most consistent player hands down.

    If he doesn’t start after what he’s done, that’s ridiculous.

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  3. He played the full 90 in that match, and it seems one of his bigger competitors Tachtsidis has a knock and is training separately.

    Midfield 3 of MB, De Rossi, and Pjanic

    Roma (4-3-3): Stekelenburg (Lobont 73); Piris (Dodò 84), Burdisso, Castan (Romagnoli 62), Balzaretti (Taddei 62); Bradley, De Rossi (Florenzi 62), Pjanic; Lopez, Osvaldo, Totti (Bojan 61)

    I think there’s a good chance he begins the season in the starting 11. He’s done nothing but acquit himself well in preseason.

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  4. Bradley played on the right in a midfield three, in front of De Rossi and alongside Pjanic, until getting moved to De Rossi’s deeper position in like the 75th minute. He was just brilliant. He got into the box effectively, combined well with DDR, Pjanic, and the right fullback (who also had a hell of a game), and delivered the usual share of inch-perfect through balls. On another day he might have had two assists to go with the goal.

    Pretty much any team in the world would be thrilled to have a midfielder play like Bradley did yesterday. That it’s even up for discussion whether he starts on opening day is a pretty good indication of just how loaded Roma is.

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  5. yeah, that Chievo squad was not exactly an offensive juggernaut.

    hey, it’s gotta help your scoring totals when you’re playing for a team that actually tries to attack!

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  6. I gotta figure that MB begins the season on the bench but will get minutes in games where Roma is in the lead and he will come on as a defensive sub. He is playing SO well though that he probably gets some starter minutes in the Cup games.

    It’s going to be exciting though.

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  7. Bradley is going to break records, he will rewrite the history of Yanks in Europe

    “and in the great book, there was the tale of a bald youth, the son of an even balder man, who would go on to Italia and show that a Yank could play football and play it he did….”

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  8. This goal and the gold cup final ’11 come to mind, just skims it enough to put the on the perfect track to the goal.. Very nIce

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  9. Bradley seems to have developed a nice touch on those headers. It’ll be exciting to watch him fight for a spot this season. Any rumblings as to where he stands?

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