USA World Cup players Graham Zusi and Omar Gonzalez helped put on a soccer skills display Friday with more than 100 teens at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey, as part of Gatorade's "Unreal Around the World" contest.
Photo courtesy of Aydin Arjomand/Gatorade
Michael Bradley thought he was pretty good as a teen. And why wouldn't he think so?
One of 100 players who displayed their dribbling,
passing, shooting and ball-handling skills
at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey Friday.
Photo coutesy of Bryan Derballa/Gatorade
The current U.S. Soccer Team star midfielder was always on the fast track. His dad Bob Bradley coached and managed the national team, college teams and three Major League Soccer squads.
Michael Bradley didn't even play high school soccer, instead opting for residency at
IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. with the USA U17 team.
"I was thinking I was pretty good and on one level I suppose I was," said Bradley, now 26. "But it wasn't until I got to play overseas and see how other countries play that I realized how far I needed to go. It was definitely challenging and motivating."
That's part of the reason Bradley thinks Gatorade's "Unreal Around the World" contest that sends five top teen players to travel globally is so fantastic.
As part of the promotion, teens throughout the country have been asked to send in videos displaying their skills along with a short essay on the work they've put in. The five winners get to visit iconic clubs such as FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Liverpool, Arsenal, Boca Juniors and Brazilian Football Confederation.
Go to GatoradeFootball.com for complete details"It's just an incredible opportunity for any kid who aspires to play soccer," he said. "For a young person able to see soccer beyond his local town or state and even nation is an experience I'm sure he'll never forget."
Bradley, a midfielder for Toronto FC, was supposed to be part of a Gatorade promotion Friday in New Jersey to help surprise a group of regional teen players. They showed off their skills at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey.
But his schedule got immensely hectic — the U.S. defeated Turkey 2-1 Sunday in a Send-Off Series game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. — and he had to cancel. Bradley had a nifty assist in the win over Turkey.
Other World Cup team members Graham Zusi and Omar Gonzalez surprised the more than 100 players who showed up in and demonstrated skills.
"I really wished I could have been there, but I know it will be a great event," Bradley said a couple hours before the showcase.
Bradley has seen many of the young players today display their vast skills.
"It's so exciting and I'm filled with such pride seeing more and more kids play with more and more skill," he said. "I'm not just excited to see this at the youth level, but the MLS level as well. It's great to be a part this entire resurgence."
As far as the World Cup, Bradley's second appearance, he said: "First and foremost I'm just excited. The World Cup comes around every four years, so I can't wait for that first game to get going. I can't wait to get down to Brazil."
Some of the more than 100 participants at the "Unreal Around the World" soccer showcase at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey, on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Aydin Arjomand/Gatorade
