Jeff Bradley knows a thing or two about American soccer. Jeff worked for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars as their Director of Communications for two years in the late 1990s before moving to ‘ESPN the Magazine’ to cover the MLS and the United States National Team. Jeff has stronger ties to the American game that formed past his own job: family. Jeff’s brother, Bob Bradley, coached in the MLS until he became the United States Men’s National Team manager in 2006 before being let go in 2011, enjoying a successful spell at the helm. Jeff’s nephew, Bob’s son, Michael Bradley burst onto the scene for the MetroStars when his father was still the manager.

Tom: You and Bob got involved in MLS on different sides of the line at about the same time. What was the first story you had to write about him? How did that go?

Jeff: The first story I wrote about Bob was when his Chicago Fire team won MLS Cup in 1998. The first line was, “The coach is my brother…” I wanted to make sure people knew right away that the story would be biased.

Tom: Michael burst through with the MetroStars under the coaching of Bob. How was that reacted with? Did fans and other journalists just assume it was a kid getting favorable treatment from his father or did people generally see his quality straight away?

Jeff: I think people thought it was a dad doing his kid a favor. I also think a lot of people had their blinders on when Michael was a starter in 2005. If his name had not been Bradley, people would’ve appreciated that he was a very good players, especially considering he was 17. He more than held his own.

Tom: Michael and Bob each left the MetroStars around the same time. I know Bob was let go with under a handful of games left in the 2005 MLS season and Michael went to Heerenveen the following January. Did Bob’s departure have a role in Michael’s exit from the MLS or was that the plan all along?

Jeff: Tough question. Not sure when Michael would’ve left for Europe had Bob not been fired, but I think it was his goal to go to Europe.

Tom: Bob landed on his feet after being let go by the MetroStars, got the job at Chivas USA then the national team on an interim basis. What an exciting time that must have been, how was he handling everything to begin? Did he expect to have his interim tag removed as it would be?

Jeff: I think Bob had full confidence that if given the opportunity, he would prove he was worthy of coaching the national team. He accomplished that with a string of victories and strong performances to begin his tenure.

Tom: Meanwhile, Michael was succeeding with Heerenveen and would move to Borussia Monchengladbach in 2008. Firstly, were you happy with the move? Was it a pain to type, spell and pronounce Borussia Monchengladbach for a while?

Jeff: It was very exciting to see Michael go to a big club in the Bundesliga. We just shortened it to Gladbach.

Tom: All the while, you were enjoying your own success working with ESPN the Magazine covering everything American soccer from the MLS to World Cups. Is that what you always imagined you’d be doing? What was it like to attend a World Cup for your job?

Jeff: I’m not sure it’s what I always imagined. I was more of a baseball guy growing up and covered the Yankees for the NY Daily News from 1992-1995, but when I went to ESPN The Magazine in 1998, I think I influenced a few people that soccer was a sport worth covering. I had a great time covering the World Cup. A ton of travel, a chance to see games in amazing atmospheres. It was a great time in my professional life.

Tom: Bob led the USMNT to a 2007 Gold Cup victory with Michael played a large role: euphoric times. How was it for you? Did you cover it?

Jeff: No, in 2006, when Bob became the National Team coach, I stepped down from covering US Soccer as I felt it would be a conflict of interest. When Bob was in charge, I just wanted to be a fan.

Tom: 2009 times were still glittering for Bob and the USMNT, finishing second in the Confederations Cup whilst beating #1 ranked Spain, optimistically looking ahead to the 2010 World Cup the following year where Bob and Michael would make it out of the group stage but lose to Ghana in the round of 16. What were those times like for all involved? From the Spain result to the World Cup.

Jeff: Nerve-wracking. Gut-wrenching. Obviously, beating Spain and ending their 35-match unbeaten streak was a victory for all times. I was filled with so much pride during the 2010 World Cup. The U.S. had so many things go against them in South Africa – good goals disallowed vs. Slovenia and Algeria – but never gave up the fight. The loss in extra time to Ghana was a tough one, but I think it was a great match. In the end, nothing but pride.

Tom: Michael was loaned from Borussia Monchengladbach to Aston Villa in January 2011 until the end of the season and only featured in three games. Why? How disappointing was that? Continuing down bad times, Bob was let go from the USMNT at the end of that year. How did they handle it, how did you?

Jeff: It was tough, but so are Bob and Michael. They set their sights on new goals and went after them. Michael ended up in Serie A and Bob in Egypt.

Tom: Times changed again. Michael moved to Chievo and Italy, Bob to Egypt during the revolution and turmoil. He chose to live in Egypt. Did you agree with his decision to stay in the country during the danger?

Jeff: It was not easy for his family to see the news on CNN and all that was going on in Egypt at the time, but Bob assured us that he and his wife Lindsay were fine. In the end, Bob did an amazing job under such tough circumstances.

Tom: With his father still in Egypt, Michael moved on from Chievo after just a season to a huge European club: AS Roma. Did you ever think Michael would rise up European football as such?

Jeff: I had no idea what path Michael would follow. I did know he’d give his all to succeed and had huge ambition.

Tom: Bob’s contract wasn’t renewed in 2013 with Egypt and he was unemployed. Was he looking for a new gig or did he want to take time away? What led him to Stabaek in Norway a few months later? What attracted him to the job instead of attempting to return to the familiarity of the MLS? How did you feel about it all?

Jeff: Bob wanted to coach a club team in the European system. While he would have loved an opportunity in a country bigger than Norway, Stabaek showed a lot of faith in him and showed him a lot of respect. I think Bob felt he had something to prove.

Tom: Meanwhile, Michael’s time in Rome was coming to an end and he, unlike his father, would return to the MLS and be one of the faces of the league. The likes of Clint Dempsey and himself were criticized by Jurgen Klinsmann by returning to the MLS and leaving Europe, did you think it was the right move?

Jeff: Michael spent eight years in Europe and played for 10 coaches. It was not his plan to leave Roma, but the club was signing players for big money who played his position. When the calls from big clubs in Europe did not come, I think Toronto made him an offer he could not refuse. Now, he’s trying to prove that he’s a player capable of taking on a big role, a captain’s role, in MLS. Was it the right move? Considering what else was available, definitely.

Tom: Nowadays, you’re a freelance writer and a new diehard fan of both Toronto FC and Stabaek. How do your weekends go?

Jeff: It’s fun. I’ve got an on-line subscription to watch Stabaek games and the MLS package to watch TFC games. As for the freelance writer thing, I’d much prefer to have a full-time job!

Tom: Do you have any current plans for yourself in the near future? Do you see yourself returning to covering MLS on a regular basis again? Or baseball like you did for the Newark Star-Ledger?

Jeff: Right now, I’m teaching Sports Reporting at Monmouth University, freelancing and watching my son Beau play his senior year at Manasquan High School. I was laid off by the Star-Ledger in 2013 and the business is tough right now.

Tom: How do you think the next few years will play out for Bob and Michael?

Jeff: I have no idea. I do know they’ll put everything they’ve got into what they do.

Jeff graciously gave Read U.S. Soccer some of his time to reflect on the past 15 years that has taken him to the height of his field, Bob to the height of American soccer as well as Michael, current USMNT captain. Currently, Jeff is a freelance writer, Michael has returned to the MLS and is the captain of Toronto FC while Bob is currently the manager of Stabaek in the Norwegian top flight. You can find him on twitter @JeffreyPBradley. All of us here at Read U.S. Soccer would like to thank Jeff for his time.