Today is a monumental day in U.S. soccer history as former men’s national team head coach Bob Bradley was appointed as manager of Swansea City (BPL). He’s the first ever American to be in charge of a top-four European league club (England, Germany, Spain or Italy). Also known as the father of U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley, the elder Bradley will have his work cut out for him since Swansea (1-1-5) is currently 17th out of 20 teams in the BPL and they haven’t won since opening day of the season (1-0 at Burnley). With the international break this week, Bradley’s first match as Swansea manager is a huge one: Saturday, October 15 at Arsenal’s (5-1-1) famed Emirates Stadium in London. Clint Dempsey is Done for the Year Due to an Irregular Heartbeat
Seattle Sounders (MLS) and U.S. national team star forward Clint Dempsey will unfortunately not play again in 2016 after he was shut down following complications with an irregular heartbeat which was first discovered in August. He had a procedure on it and had returned to training with the Sounders before the club took the necessary precautions. Even without him, Seattle (13-13-5, 5th in Western Conference) continues to make a playoff push coming off a big 2-1 win at Vancouver (9-15-8) on Sunday night that ended the Whitecaps’ postseason hopes. For the USMNT, he’ll miss friendlies with Cuba and New Zealand this month and then much-anticipated World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Costa Rica in November. Unbeaten Tottenham Climbs to 2nd in the Premier League Table
With such powerful clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea (4-1-2) in their own backyard, Tottenham often got overlooked a bit even in its hometown of London. That probably won’t happen anymore though since the Hotspurs (5-2-0) pulled off a major victory on Sunday at White Hart Lane, 2-0 over Manchester City (6-0-1) who most regard as the top team in England. Tottenham is the lone unbeaten squad remaining in the BPL and they have allowed a BPL-low three goals in seven matches. Perhaps most impressively, they are still rolling (look out for 20-year-old English midfielder Dele Alli who scored a goal vs. Manchester City) with their star striker Harry Kane out indefinitely with an ankle injury. 2016 NWSL Championship set: Washington vs. Western New York
The National Women’s Soccer League’s semifinals took place this past weekend with the host Washington Spirit (13-5-3) beating the Chicago Red Stars (9-6-6) 2-1 in extra time on Friday and Western New York (10-6-5) won 4-3 in a thriller at the top—seeded Portland Thorns (12-4-5) on Sunday. Washington will take on Western NY on Sunday (5, Fox Sports 1) at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium. There is plenty of star power in the championship game as Washington features U.S. national team members Ali Krieger (who scored vs. Chicago) and Crystal Dunn while Western NY has their teammate Samantha Mewis (who had a goal and assist vs. Portland). This particular league has only been around since 2013 and neither team has ever won the title before. Follow Metro soccer writer Richard Slate on Twitter: @RichSlate
Slate on soccer: Bob Bradley takes over as Swansea City (BPL) coach
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