Exclusive | Michael Bradley tells The Post how he wants to bring standards from Toronto FC to Red Bulls

Michael Bradley has so many memories from his decade with Toronto FC, it was hard for the Red Bull New York head coach to narrow down his favorites to just one or two. Winning his first Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2017 certainly stands out, Bradley said when asked to look back at his time north of the border.He’ll get a chance to add to the memory bank on Saturday when he returns to BMO Field for the first time since he retired from the club in 2023, this time as the Red Bulls head coach. Though he’s now a Red Bull and back in his native New Jersey, Bradley’s time in The Six helped shape the coach he’s turned into. “My time in Toronto taught me a lot about what it takes to build a culture,” Bradley told The Post ahead of Saturday’s match against Toronto FC.

“We had a group that was incredibly committed to each other and to the standards we set every day, and that’s something I try to bring into our environment here.As a coach, you want players who push each other, who are accountable, and who understand that the work you do during the week is what allows you to have those big moments on the weekend.” It would make sense that Bradley’s experiences in Toronto, which included being the club captain during his tenure, would influence how he’s coached.

Bradley is equally ingrained in the history of Toronto FC. The club appeared in three MLS Cup Finals and won four Canadian Championships while he was there.Bradley didn’t bite on a question about how he would be welcomed back in The Six when he was asked about it during his pre-match press conference, but said he was “excited” to return to Toronto and predicted it should be a “great afternoon.” Ali Curtis, the former Toronto FC general manager from 2019 through 2021 and current president of MLS NEXT Pro and executive vice president of MLS Sporting Development, remembered Bradley’s time with the club well. “I think it will be a very emotional moment for him, although kn...