After a disappointing 2014 World Cup and missing out on the MLS playoffs with Toronto FC, United States' midfielder Michael Bradley underwent foot surgery on Tuesday to repair nerve damage. His timetable for return has not been set.
This is Bradley's second foot procedure since April and both were to repair nerve issues. He's been banged up over the past year, also suffering groin, quadriceps and ankle injuries, which have largely slowed his play. He's played in 25 of Toronto FC's 34 games and recorded only two goals and four assists. In four World Cup games, the 27-year-old had only one assist after it was believed he would perhaps be the best player on the roster.
Bradley's most recent surgery was more serious than his previous procedure, which only kept him out for a few weeks. The foot issue has been bothering him for much of the MLS season (and likely the World Cup) and hopefully it's not a lingering issue because the USMNT needs to continue developing chemistry. However, that's unknown at this point because it's unclear whether the two foot procedures were administered to fix the same issue.
The United States has two international friendlies in the coming week: they'll face Colombia on November 14 in London and Ireland on November 18 in Dublin. MLSsoccer.com reports that Bradley is expected to return to Toronto later this week, which is when the team will learn more about the severity of the injury and surgery. Bradley's agent, Ron Waxman, tweeted a picture of the midfielder shortly after the surgery:
Michael Bradley in the recovery room after his foot surgery which went very well. #USMNT #TFC pic.twitter.com/xs90XoPFG9
— Ron Waxman (@RonWaxman) October 28, 2014
Based on reports, the injury might not be too serious. According to Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun, Bradley saw doctors on two separate occasions last week regarding his foot issue before Toronto FC's final match of the season. The midfielder was able to play through the injury against the New England Revolution. Now that the MLS season is over, it's unknown whether Bradley will play overseas (like U.S. teammate Clint Dempsey is) mainly because of the most recent news about his surgery coupled with the fact he hasn't been playing like his usual self.
More news regarding Bradley's foot injury will likely be disclosed later this week or early next week.
