How the Legacy of Michael Bradley Remains with the USMNT

Any time Tim Ream had the chance to play with U.S. Men’s National Team legend Michael Bradley, he’d try to soak up every bit of Bradley’s leadership before leaving camp.

“Just watching him, and knowing how professional he was, and the leadership that he showed from all the time that we were together, is something that I always left camp in awe of, really,” Ream said. “I tried to use that when I would leave and still trying to use those examples."

That example and all of Bradley’s accolades will be honored in a ceremony pregame ahead of the USA’s match against Korea Republic in Harrison, New Jersey on Sept. 6. The former midfielder grew up about an hour away in Princeton, New Jersey.

Bradley is the third-most-capped USMNT player with 151 appearances, behind only Cobi Jones and Landon Donovan. He left many lasting impressions on the team, including holding the second-most assists stat all time with 23.

Ream played with Bradley for nine years and learned everything he could from his veteran. Bradley captained 48 matches in his 141 starts for the National Team. Ream has followed in Bradley’s footsteps, wearing the captain’s band 21 times so far in his career.

This summer, the veteran defender became one of 13 players to captain the USMNT in a final. Bradley nears the top of the list, having done it twice. USMNT forward Christian Pulisic and Hall of Famer Carlos Bocanegra are the only players who have worn the band more in tournament finals, three times each.

Ream, 37, helped lead a relatively inexperienced group to the Concacaf Gold Cup Final this past summer. As much as Bradley’s leadership rubbed off on Ream, that impact continues with the current generation of players. Take fellow center back, Chris Richards, as Exhibit A. The 25-year-old defender took the opportunity this summer to step into a leadership role. He credited Ream’s example as one he is following. 

“I want to be this leader for this team,” Richards said after a standout performance against Saudi Arabia in June. “I think there's no secret that Tim's getting a little bit older, and at some point he has to let go the reins. So hopefully, I can be the guy to step into that spot. I've learned a lot from him over the years.”

The relationship between Richards and Ream mirrors the one Ream had with Bradley. The impact of the legendary midfielder lives on in the heartbeat of the current USMNT.

“I don't know that I've ever really given him credit, but I'm sitting here today because of some of the things and some of the conversations that he and I have had over many camps and over many years,” Ream said.