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As you can imagine, Leiweke was more than willing to go to bat for The General, a player he brought to Toronto back in 2014.

“It’s completely and totally unfair and ridiculous how people don’t realize what this man has done for his country and the teams he has played on,” Leiweke said of the constant jeers Bradley has received during MLS matches played in the United States.

“He’s what you want your son or daughter to be,” Leiweke added. “He is, to me, the epitome of an athlete you do want to put on a pedestal.”

A swath of Yanks see things differently. They’ve made Bradley Public Enemy No. 1 following the United States’ failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I don’t get this joy that people get out of booing him,” Leiweke continued.

“All the boos just fuel what I anticipate will be a very good performance out of him on Wednesday (against Columbus). I’d bet on Bradley 100 times out of 100 times.”

And that’s despite having at least a small connection with someone on the visiting bench.

During his time as AEG chief, Leiweke hired current Crew coach Gregg Berhalter to manage Swedish side Hammarby, a club AEG owns a stake in.

“I think the effort TFC put in to host this final game at home is the difference,” Leiweke offered. “That said, I love Gregg Berhalter … You’re seeing two of the really good, young, bright minds in U.S. coaching.”

They’ll be on display inside a venue Leiweke was bullish about rebuilding.

The conversation pivoted to BMO Field, where the success of a CFL-MLS ground share has silenced naysayers who said it couldn’t work back in 2015 when Leiweke spearheaded a $150 million project to refurbish a dated venue.