USMNT Watch: Bob Bradley Continues Strong Season at Stabaek
One of the top success stories in American soccer at the moment doesn't involve a current player. However, it does feature a former national team boss succeeding overseas.
Bob Bradley has led Stabaek to 30 points through 14 matches in the Tippeligaen. Thanks to the club's early returns, it is fighting for the top spot in the league with Rosenborg.
Bob's son Michael is thriving on the pitch as well for Toronto FC, which has hit its stride with the midfielder and Jozy Altidore in the lineup alongside Sebastian Giovinco.
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Continue reading below for updates on the Bradley clan, the United States men's national team players in Major League Soccer and a bit of contract news in the latest USMNT Watch.
Bob Bradley Leads Stabaek to 9th Victory of the Season
The elder Bradley led Stabaek to their ninth win of the 2015 Tippeligaen season on Saturday as they defeated Stromsgodset 3-2 at home.
The win was the fourth in five matches in all competitions for the Norwegian side. The team is three points off first place and a berth in the UEFA Champions League. Bradley recently told Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated:
"You’re always trying to establish: What does it take to become a good team? But in order for that to happen, you’re also trying to figure out how to connect and challenge guys and make sure they know part of the deal is to make them better, push them up a bit and help them in their careers. We’ve had a lot of guys who’ve made really good progress.
"
The former USMNT and Egypt boss still has plenty of work to do if he wants to top the league by the end of the year. Stabaek may be three points behind perennial power Rosenborg, but they are behind by 14 in goal differential.
One player who may help Stabaek make up that deficit is Cole Grossman, who has scored three goals in 14 matches for the second-place side in 2015. The former Real Salt Lake man is one of a handful of Yanks plying their trade in Norway.
Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was on the bench for Molde's 3-0 loss to Rosenborg this weekend. If the name Rosenborg sounds familiar, Mix Diskerud played there before joining New York City FC.
Michael Bradley Enjoys Strong Spell of Form with Toronto FC
The younger Bradley and his Toronto FC teammates put on a show on Wednesday in their 3-1 win over Montreal. Bradley dropped a perfect pass to the feet of Altidore in the 56th minute to put the Reds ahead in the rivalry clash. The star midfielder also benefited from a Giovinco assist in the 27th minute.
On Saturday, Bradley and Altidore both started in Toronto's 0-0 draw with D.C. United. Bill Hamid and Steve Birnbaum delivered impressive showings for the Black and Red in the goalless draw at BMO Field.
Chris Wondolowski continued his surge up the MLS scoring chart on Saturday, as he scored the first of three goals for San Jose in its 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium. Wondolowski, who will be a part of the USMNT's Gold Cup squad in July, has nine goals to his name in league play.
Two players who won't be involved in the national team setup over the next 30 days also extended their strong form into Week 17 of the MLS season. Benny Feilhaber notched his ninth assist for Sporting Kansas City against Colorado, while Ethan Finlay moved to 10 assists on the season with a dish of his own in Columbus' draw with Real Salt Lake. Finlay also scored in the 62nd minute at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The 2-2 draw between Columbus and RSL witnessed USMNT youngster Jordan Allen earn a red card for a reckless challenge in the 77th minute. Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil and Nick Rimando all started for the hosts.
Lee Nguyen continued to earn positive reviews for his play on Saturday night in the New England Revolution's loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Nguyen, who experienced a rough start to the season, has a goal, an assist and five shots on goal in his last three games.
Jack McInerney found the back of the net for Montreal at a rainy PPL Park on Saturday. The Georgia native scored his fourth goal of the year against his former club, the Philadelphia Union.
Desevio Payne Inks First-Team Deal with Groningen
The USMNT's quarterfinal run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup is beginning to reap rewards for some members of the squad.
Right back Desevio Payne inked a first-team deal with Eredivisie side Groningen, per American Soccer Now's Brian Sciaretta:
The defender was on a youth contract with the club since 2012.
Yedlin Loan Update
On Monday, DeAndre Yedlin sent out a tweet joking about the recent rumors that speculated he might go out on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
On the same day, Amy Lewis of Sky Sports tweeted that Yedlin will be going out on loan, but no specific clubs were mentioned.
One thing to watch for in the next month is where Yedlin plays during the Gold Cup. When the 23-man squad was released this week, the 21-year-old was listed as a midfielder.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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