Michael Bradley will be in the spotlight in friendly at Wrigley
BY SETH GRUEN For Sun-Times Media July 19, 2012 9:32PM
Updated: August 21, 2012 6:39AM
AS Roma fans and U.S. soccer fans will have something in common Sunday, when the Italian club plays Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin at Wrigley Field at 2:30 p.m.
All eyes will be on midfielder Michael Bradley, 24, who was officially added to Roma’s roster last Sunday in a $4.6 million transfer.
Bradley plays for the U.S. national team and is the son of former national-team coach Bob Bradley, the first coach in Fire history (1998-2002).
Bradley spent his teenage years in Palatine.
Bradley’s acquisition by Roma was one of the most high-profile moves for a U.S. outfield player and has been anticipated for some weeks now.
The upcoming three-game stretch for Roma, which also includes stops in Boston and New York, could give an indication of where Bradley fits in a stacked midfield.
A New Jersey native, Bradley will provide the biggest story line during Roma’s tour of the United States, but this game is full of international stars.
Roma features Italian national teamers Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi.
Italy took second in this summer’s European Championship, losing 4-0 to Spain in the title game.
Polish national-team forwards Szymon Pawlowski and Arkadiusz Wozniak, midfielder Maciej Malkowski and defender Marcin Kowalczyk all play for Zaglebie Lubin.
Sunday’s game is the second of two international exhibition games over the weekend.
The Fire hosts Premier League side Aston Villa on Saturday night at Toyota Park.
