Michael Bradley speaks to the media after being introduced as Red Bull New York head coach, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Harrison. Michael Bradley spent 10 years as a midfielder at Toronto FC, captaining the team to an MLS Cup win in 2017.
After a long and productive playing career, Bradley took up coaching and returned to Toronto to lead the young New York Red Bulls into a Saturday afternoon contest with his old team.
Bradley played one season in New York when the Red Bulls were known as the Metro Stars in 2005 and spent the next decade overseas. He returned to MLS for the 2014 season, scoring 16 goals and providing 36 assists in 258 appearances for Toronto, where he won the Supporters’ Shield in 2017 and then won his lone title, beating the Seattle Sounders.
“I gave everything I had while I was in Toronto,” Bradley, 38, said Thursday. “I think what we did and what we were able to accomplish from the moment we got there to the moment we left was very unique and special and ultimately speaks for itself.”
Bradley was named New York’s coach in December after spending six months with MLS Next Pro team New York Red Bulls II.
Bradley began his coaching career by leading the Red Bulls (2-1-0, 6 points) to wins over Orlando City and New England. On Sunday, they lost 3-0 to Montreal despite owning nearly 63% of the contest and hitting five of their 11 shot attempts on target.
Julian Hall, who had scored all three goals in New York’s first two games, played midfield, forcing Eric Choupo-Moting back into the lineup at center.
Toronto (1-2-0, 3 points) will play its first three games on the road before embarking on a nine-game homestand.
After losses to Dallas and Vancouver, Daniel Saloi scored the lone goal in the 86th minute of Sunday’s 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati, and Toronto’s defense improved after allowing six goals on eight shots in its first two games.
“It was a proud performance, but we definitely know we have things to keep working on and getting better,” Toronto coach Robin Frazier said.
–Field level media
