Ditka

Also, I’d say it’s more like the bath salts of the masses.

If you’ve got a healthy and in-form Dempsey and Donovan and we’re playing a 4-3-3 (which often morphs between a 4-5-1 and a 4-3-3) then the difference between an Altidore/Gomez/Boyd and Ibra at striker is HUGE. In the midfield, you’ve got Jones, Williams, and any number of other guys to fill in for Bradley (Edu, Castillo, Beckerman… etc.) the drop-off isn’t nearly as great. With Dempsey and Donovan dropping back into the midfield to link up, Ibra will have no problem getting the ball.

As others have said… It’s a no-brainer. Bradley is great, and a cut above the rest of our CMs, but the gap isn’t THAT big, and Ibra is like no other guy in that position.

Better question to demonstrate the growth/importance of Michael Bradley: if you’re playing a pick-up soccer game and picking players for two sides, who goes second? Because Michael Bradley is going first.

I just think his abilities are so good all around that Klinsman would find ways to make him very effective, even without the link play that Bradley provides.

You know what? I was just trying to think of the last time the US midfield played a through ball to a forward that released them on a 1v1 vs the goalie that was a clear scoring chance. I am struggling to remember.

Bradley has the best ball handling and distribution skills (in my opinion anyway) of any US player. I’m implying that Ibrahimovic or ANY forward would have less chances without Bradley..

Midfield? Thats a joke.

Forward where he belongs?

Without Bradley who is going to feed the balls to Ibrahimovic? Joe Hart isn’t going to be on the opposing team to do it every game!

Ibra has probably on of the highest soccer IQs of any player alive playing or long retired. Witness him checking his run, anticipating the bad angle Joe Hart was taking, and getting himself in a position to attempt that shot, then actually attempting that shot. The goal itself wasn’t the most impressive thing. It was how PREPARED he was to take the shot.

Opposing defenders are probably more fearful of Zlatan than any other player alive, other than Leo Messi.

Zlatan’s uber-ego is enough to power even the most meek or timid teams to perform at high levels.

Also, this actually happened:

After a female Spanish reporter asked him to comment on gay rumors between him and Gerard Pique, Zlatan responded by saying, “Come to my house and you’ll see if I’m gay. And bring your sister.”

Michael Bradley is a very good midfielder.

In summary, Black Belt.