Michael Bradley makes unbelievable chip shot goal on Mexico (Video)

March 24, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; United States midfielder Michael Bradley (4) during the second half of the Men's World Cup Soccer Qualifier against the Honduras at Avaya Stadium. United States defeated Honduras 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; United States midfielder Michael Bradley (4) during the second half of the Men's World Cup Soccer Qualifier against the Honduras at Avaya Stadium. United States defeated Honduras 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Midfielder Michael Bradley puts the United States up 1-0 early on Mexico in Estadio Azteca on this brilliant chip shot goal from way out.

This was the 2018 World Cup qualifier match we were all looking forward to. Heated rivals in the United States of America and Mexico would square off in Estadio Azteca on Sunday. Knowing that the elevation was going to be a factor, the United States gradually prepared for this by playing in Salt Lake City and Denver in the week leading up to this and sleeping in altitude tents. Was this going to pay off?

Well, it looks to have helped early in the match, as American midfielder Michael Bradley got the United States on the board with a brilliant chip shot goal from so far out. Bradley is the team’s captain with 133 career caps and 16 goals. This one might be one of his best for his country.

Bradley would split the Mexican defense near midfield with a great burst of speed. Seeing that the Mexican goaltender would be way up in the box, Bradley would magnificently chip it over his head for the early 1-0 goal at the six-minute mark.

Bradley has spent the bulk of his time with the men’s national team as a distributor for others in the middle of the attack. He will occasionally put it in the back of the net, but normally defers to his forwards to do the scoring.

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Knowing that winning in Estadio Azteca is so massively difficult given the altitude, getting on the board early would be huge for America’s effort to steal one on the road in 2018 World Cup qualifying. Bradley’s goal hasn’t exactly taken the rowdy home crowd out of the game, but it has to give the United States a big lift in the early part of this crucial CONCACAF match.