Recent Jeff Bradley Articles
First XI: Simple Suggestions
by Jeff Bradley (Commentary | Major League Soccer - February 25)
Call it "free advice," or call it "bulletin board material," or call it ... well, something I cannot put in print in this space. In a nutshell, what we've got here in this week's First XI is 11 numbers (or statistical categories) that certain teams need to improve in 2009. I know, I know, there are lies, damned lies and statistics, but it seems to me, these numbers tell the truth. And the truth can hurt. Have a look: more details | go to article

Meet Hull City: America's New Team, Albeit From Britain
by Jeff Bradley (Article | ESPN - February 20)
Hull City was literally minutes from not existing as a soccer club. Now they're playing Man U. What happened, and why should the American side of the pond care? more details | go to article

First XI: Back To Ohio
by Jeff Bradley (Profile/Interview | Major League Soccer - February 10)
When it comes to facing Mexico, there's no place like Columbus for U.S. more details | go to article

First XI: Soca Warriors
by Jeff Bradley (Preview | Major League Soccer - September 9)
With Trinidad visiting this week, taking a look at MLS's Soca past more details | go to article

First XI: What If?
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | Major League Soccer - September 11)
A sportswriter friend of mine used to love to play the "What if?" game in his stories. You know, the one where you ask the reader, "What if" something or the other happened? Well, Sunday night, watching Chivas USA beat the Red Bulls 3-0, I starting thinking and came up with a First XI "what ifs" for the 2007 season. more details | go to article

First XI: Game Of The Year
by Jeff Bradley (Preview | Major League Soccer - September 5)
I cannot remember a match I've looked forward to more than the MLS Primetime Thursday matchup between D.C. United and Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center. more details | go to article

First XI: Fantastic Finishes
by Jeff Bradley (Commentary | Major League Soccer - August 29)
After a weekend of red cards and crazy happenings in the late moments of matches, the MLS standings are one congested mess. Things are definitely setting up for a crazy stretch run which brings out the historical side of First XI. Here's a rundown of the greatest late season moments in MLS history. And I'll keep it chronological. more details | go to article

Bradley: Staying American
by Jeff Bradley (Commentary | US National Soccer Players Association - August 23)
USSoccerPlayers (August 23, 2006) -- It has been the loudest and most consistent cry of all in the wake of the U.S. national team's three-and-out performance in the World Cup: more details | go to article

The Miracle Match
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First XI: The Road Ahead
by Jeff Bradley (Commentary | Major League Soccer - August 17)
As we come out of the All-Star break and head down the homestretch for the MLS season, First XI will turn back the clock and present an old-school format FXI ... a stream of conscience, what's on our mind list of what to watch as MLS Season 11 plays itself out, on the road to Frisco, Texas, for MLS Cup. more details | go to article

Final Casting
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | US National Soccer Players Association - March 29)
It's an exciting week to be an MLS fan. The start of another new season. The great unknown that sits out there before everyone, not knowing what the next six months will bring. more details | go to article

Bradley: A Foreign Concept
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | US National Soccer Players Association - February 15)
In a funny sort of way, back in 2002 the New England Revolution's decision to draft Taylor Twellman and the Los Angeles Galaxy's choice of Carlos Ruiz as a foreign acquisition were moves that flew under the radar. more details | go to article

First XI: Every Game Counts
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | Major League Soccer - October 12)
Remember a few weeks back when U.S. national team manager Bruce Arena said that MLS regular season games were not meaningful enough? You have to wonder how Arena would feel about those comments were he coaching one of the 10 MLS teams this past season. First XI will go by team by team to illustrate. more details | go to article

First XI: The Debates
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | Major League Soccer - October 5)
Which guy gives you more confidence? Who's got the most grace under fire? Are you going to adopt a "what have you done for me lately?" approach to voting? Or are you going to look at the full body of work? The key, in any election, is to educate yourself. That's why we have debates. Listen to all sides of the issue, then make your call. This week's First XI lays out the issues for the election. The MLS MVP election. more details | go to article

First XI: Promotion And Relegation
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | Major League Soccer - September 28)
We've reached that time of the year, folks. The time of the year when we as soccer fans are as interested in the bottom of the standings as the top. And never, to my recollection, have the top and bottom of the table been so close. more details | go to article

First XI: Everybody In!
by Jeff Bradley (Analysis | Major League Soccer - September 21)
It's been a recurring theme this season. This is the year when all 10 MLS teams have a shot to win it all. Sounds contrived, I know, but it's true. Really. This week's First XI lays out the evidence to prove, as we head into the final month of the 2004 season, the MLS Cup is completely up for grabs. more details | go to article

Popular Jeff Bradley Articles

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