TORONTO

Michael Bradley asked a Seattle Sounder to pass the mashed potatoes.

His dad, famed former U.S. bench boss Bob Bradley, was up for Christmas dinner, too.

As were his two sisters, one of which is engaged to Sounders midfielder Andy Rose.

Much soccer was talked about — especially Toronto FC’s massive 2-1 win in Seattle nine months ago.

“We’ve talked about it enough times already,” Bradley told the Toronto Sun prior to joining the U.S. national team in Los Angeles.

“The holidays were really special,” he told the Sun exclusively. “My wife’s family was up for American Thanksgiving. My mom and dad, two sisters and Andy were here for Christmas.

“I’ve been able to spend so much good time with my family at home.”

Two months, to be exact.

Following off-season foot surgery to remove a bothersome nerve, Bradley has been at TFC’s training ground on a near-daily basis — working out, rehabbing, recovering.

“Since the day I had the surgery, I’ve been working to get back to 100%,” he told the Sun. “Right after the surgery, you have some time.

“I’ve worked hard over the past three or four weeks and made big strides.

“This has been the longest time I’ve had without soccer for as long as I can remember.”

More than enough time to reflect on another Toronto FC season gone awry — a campaign filled with unrealistic expectations following what appeared to be that surprise win in Seattle.

From there, the Reds toiled with the playoffs until the final half of the season, when they lost 10 of 17 before plummeting down the table.

Jobs were lost. Fingers were pointed.

Bradley, though, maintains that the Reds were never as good as many made them out to be.

“There were some people who expected us to waltz through the season, win 34 games and win MLS Cup,” Bradley said. “That was never reality.

“When you talk about building something real that can stand up over time, you have to go through the tough times,” Bradley said. “You have to experience that to find out who you can count on in the big moments.

“Last year for us was part of that process.”

Albeit a painful process, at times, for fans who’ve yet to see Toronto FC play a post-season game.

Then came the turmoil, a symptom of Jermain Defoe’s sudden change of heart and disgruntled bench boss Ryan Nelsen getting canned.

“It’s in my nature, it’s who I am to always be thinking about the game — things that have happened and things that are coming up,” Bradley said.

“I’ve talked through so many moments and so many games through last year with so many people.

“In terms of real consistency, we didn’t have enough.”

In simple terms, the Reds didn’t have enough good players. They lacked quality. Leaders were few and far between.

It was a roster still in transition following years — heck, close to a decade — of mismanagement.

The club’s top brass has put faith in general manager Tim Bezbatchenko, Greg Vanney and, now, veteran assistant coach Robin Fraser to fix things.

Bezbatchenko has had one full season. Vanney is also officially on the clock.

They’ll be given another full season to get things right.

“There’s a real sense of being in something together,” Bradley said of the current setup. “There’s a real feeling among the staff and the players that everybody is all in. We are determined to get this right for this city.

“There’s a real understanding and idea of what that’s going to take in terms of work and mentality. There’s a commitment from every person here, from top to bottom, that we’re going to get this right.”

Part of that is bringing in what Bradley referred to as “battle-hardened” guys to fill out a roster that undoubtedly had holes in 2014.

Vanney confirmed to the Sun last week that the club is targeting Real Betis centre back Damien Perquis.

Meanwhile, rumours out of Italy have the Reds in for Juventus attacker Sebastian Giovinco.

Those moves, however, could be dependent on Toronto FC off-loading Defoe back to the Premier League.

In return, Vanney also confirmed that TFC would “throw its hat into the ring” for embattled Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore.

“There isn’t anybody who thinks more of Jozy as a player than me,” Bradley said of Altidore. “He and I have played together on the national team for a long time. Wherever he ends up at the end of this transfer window, that club is going to be getting a complete striker. He’s somebody who has a desire and a determination to improve himself like no other.”

A close second could be Robbie Findley, a former U.S. international the Reds picked up this offseason to potentially feature on a wing.

Bradley was the first TFCer to reach out to Findley after the Reds scooped him up following Real Salt Lake’s decision to decline his option.

“I know Robbie pretty well,” Bradley said. “We played in a World Cup together.

“I know that this last period has been frustrating for him not being 100% physically. But I know he is determined and as driven as ever to get somewhere where the environment is right.

“He feels like when he’s in an environment like that he can play a big role in a team.”

Players have already started trickling into Toronto for preseason camp, which gets going late next week.

Many of them have joined Bradley and the staff at the club’s training ground in preparation for a critical preseason that will build towards playing seven straight games on the road to start the 2015 season.

With BMO Field under renovation, schedule-makers had no choice but to put TFC on an extended road trip through the first two months of the campaign.

“It is what it is,” Bradley said of the schedule. “There’s nothing anybody can do about it. It can’t be changed. There’s no use spending one second worrying about it.

“In the end, it’s going to be a great thing for us. We’re going to come back (on May 10) and have a refurbished stadium. We feel like our fans, when we’re able to play in the right way, will come in huge numbers to support us in that stadium.

“That’s the prize at the end.”

That is, assuming they survive nine weeks away from home.

The feeling, however, is Bradley is determined not to let this team fail once again.

He’s committed to the city. He’s committed to TFC’s fans.

He says all that needs to be said whenever he’s asked to take the stand.

Makes you wonder if his future brother-in-law, Andy Rose, even got a word in around the Christmas dinner table a few weeks back.

Probably not. It will be years before he’s allowed to talk.

OH, BABY! FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Michael Bradley’s family began the year with a trip to Toronto.

They ended it with a trip to the U.S. embassy.

Bradley and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their daughter into the world prior to the holidays.

The running joke being that little Quinn Elle could one day wear a maple leaf.

“She’s doing great,” Bradley told the Toronto Sun. “The first few months are just a lot of eating and sleeping.

“But she has an adorable disposition. Her older brother has been very sweet with her.”

Now then, what about her eligibility?

“Being born here means she’s a Canadian citizen and has the right to a Canadian passport,” Bradley added. “We went over to the American embassy to make sure she has the American one, too.”

It seems all is well at the Bradley household.

“The area we chose to live is perfect for us,” he said. “My wife and I enjoy getting downtown. We couldn’t be happier.”

REAL BRADLEY NOT ON TWITTER

That Michael Bradley Twitter handle?

It’s not him.

“I didn’t even know, is there one?” Bradley asked with a laugh.

Yep, @MichaelBradley is a Twitter account purporting to be the pro soccer player.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s not me,” Bradley added.

That doesn’t mean the U.S. international doesn’t monitor what’s being said on social media.

It’s just unclear how he does it.