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Michael Bradley scores equalizer vs. Bayern Munich

On a day that has seen several Americans enjoy strong performances in Europe, none enjoyed as good a day as Michael Bradley, who scored the equalizing goal in the 81st minute in Borussia Moenchengladbach’s 2-2 tie vs. Bayern Munich.

Here is the goal:

So yeah, those of you talking about Michael Bradley struggling in Germany can relax. He is settling in quite well and Moenchengladbach is slowly moving further away from the Bundesliga relegation zone.

What do you think of the goal? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Well Done Michael Bradley!

    You just know Bradley will find a way to succeed. He has great work ethic and will continue to do well. I hope that makes Landon’s decision a little easier.

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  2. I have always thought that a lot have fans have treated him poorly and always saying he is only on the USMNT because of his father. What a bunch of dimwits. He obviously deserves to be on the national team.

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  3. That commentator sounds like the guy who does many of the English-feed Bundesliga games we see on GolTV… except here he’s speaking German.

    Anybody know if that’s him, or is this just mind tricks?

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  4. I disagree with whoever says he played a bad game. World class players just shine sometimes, so faulting him for others great play isnt fair.

    But what he did do was play the game and get the other players involved, while also imposing himself in front of goal. The goal was very much like the goals he had for HSC, just showcasing his ability to read the game and position himself to score. You cant expect better attacking from a primarily defensive-minded link-up player.

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  5. Ah, German is such a romantic language. (kidding)

    Glad to see Mike’s made the transition and is settling in.

    Now we just need to work on the Monaco coach.

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  6. Caught the match on GolTV. Bradley did some very good things. Nice touch. Great movement. He knows where to be. But of course, against a team like Bayern Munich he was lost at some points but showed well on a team finding its stride back in the top division.

    Bayern needs Donovan quick. (haha)

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  7. great goal Bradley. unebliavable finish to a nice play. very nice to see an American score for a top european side. Thanks for posting this Ives.

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  8. Hey Ives, is that second posting the real Bob Bradley writing a congratulations to his son? I didn’t know he was a fan of your site. Since he reads this site,I wonder what he thinks of all the armchair managers out there that undeservedly hate on him?

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  9. I second both Ryan and Rocco. His goal is huge – this was an important match for both Bayern and Gladbach. Bayern was looking forward to taking 3 points from a bottom-feeding club while the other top sides battled each other. And of course Gladbach needs every point they can get; doing so against Bayern is a minor coup. And for Bradley to be responsible for the point – that will be noticed (hopefully) by supporters and the media. And getting hosed by Ribery as Ryan said, is not unusual. It’s not good, and it would be great to say that he handled Ribery and Toni, but the result will hopefully be seen as a positive one.

    As for Donovan – I thought he was just in Munich to “stay in shape” – why would he be torn about Bradley’s goal? 😉

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  10. Steponhens:

    I agree with you, and I’ll take it further. Michael Bradley had arguably the best offensive season of any American in Europe ever last season. He is an okay defensive midfielder, but he is a much better attacking midfielder. He is aggressive, makes good runs, and doesn’t try to do too much. In some ways, I think that his dad is holding him back with the national team. Let him loose…he can score goals, and in all honesty, outside Donovan, I think he is our 2nd best offensive player. At this point, he is better than Adu (who has great skill, but often plays too selfishly, and doesn’t, and his season in Holland is better than anything Dempsey or Beasley have ever done (I love both of those players nonetheless).

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  11. For all those who questioned his ability to score outside of Holland: Making great-timed runs into the box will translate well to any style of play.

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  12. what an awesome and well taken goal.

    the stadium went nuts after that goal, and that was probably like 8 teamates to pile on him.

    its good that after that goal he is sure to be winning slowly some fan respect. Ive seen most of his goals for Heerenveen, none of em drew the celebration that this one got though, good for him.

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  13. here’s a link to the Fulham vs. Tottenham highlights, in case you haven’t seen them-

    Dempsey doesn’t get on the score sheet, but he certainly should have with his first effort. Absolutely leaves those Spurs defenders in the dust.

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  14. Hey guys, lets remember that Luca Toni loses guys like John Terry with ease, so Mike’s not in bad company- and the Ribery thing, well its already been said. That was unstoppable skill.

    Good for Mike Bradley to get on the score sheet.

    On an unrelated note, Ives, you should really take Steve Goff’s blog off your media roll. That guy is a huge tool.

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  15. Hi there,

    Bradley shows some potential, but still it seems sometimes that the pace is too quick and he seems not too self-confident. Hopefully today’s goal will help him in that respect

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  16. Watching the game I thought Bradley was much better going forward than defending. It really made me wonder why with the US National team it seems as though he is not allowed to move more than ten yards in front of the defense. I would really like to see him be the more attacking midfielder and be able to make more penetrating runs forward.

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  17. agreed rocco, also may pull subotic our way a little. The U.S.A. is looking better and more lucrative every week. Last week altidore, this week donovan and bradley. Next week, adu? Of course dolo and negra are rockin it every week.

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  18. For a second, because of the jersey number in the 20s, I originally thought it was Bradley who made the back heel that got everything started. That could’ve been a career maker for Bradley.

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  19. I thought he’d have a rough time of the post-game commentary in Germany — he was a bit lost on both Bayern goals, just before halftime he was arguing with teammates, and about 8 minutes before his goal Ribery made him look kinda silly (to be fair, Ribery would have made most players look silly with those moves — just phenomenal). But then, a well-taken goal from a free header caused by delaying his run. Well done.

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  20. I feel Bradley’s goal just cemented Donovan’s move to Bayern, believe it or not. People might say one has nothing to do with the other.

    I think an American scoring in such a big game like that might put some of the front office guys @ Bayern who had some hesitation a little more at ease.

    Michael, great goal. Classic head the ball down, goalie had no chance. This from our best defensive midfielder on the MNT. Go US.

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  21. And as the game wore on and both Klose and Toni were tired out, Donovan would have been a great change of pace sub, his speed would have worked very well in the game.

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  22. Trex, that’s a crappy thing to say!

    I watched the game from the beginning and it was clear the players did not want to pass to Michael. On a couple of occasions he was in the clear with space and his teammates made other lousy passes. However in the second half things changed and he began receiving service. All toghether a well played game by Gladbach, especially Marin, Friend and #29 (I forget his name)

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  23. Watched a good chunk of the game, Bradley had a very good but not perfect game. Ribery abused him with some highlight reel dribbling, and Bradley was lost on the Toni goal when Lahm torched the defense. But he made some good tackles and links well with the team, they are getting good results with him on the field, and it was great to see the team go nuts when he buried the header.

    Just a great game and a ballsy comeback, they stole that back from Bayern.

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  24. That was awesome. That’s how you finish a freakin goal. Bradley always seems to have that drive. He doesn’t look like an American out there. He looks like he belongs.

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