Michael Bradley, it would seem, is a creature of habit, particularly when it comes to his pre-game routines.
The Toronto FC captain is generally the first player out on the field on game days, in the still-quiet stadium long before warm-ups, headphones on, bending down to touch the grass for a thorough inspection of the pitch. Later, as the teams line up for the national anthems, the 32-year-old blows kisses into the stands, likely to his young family.
Such are the personal habits Bradley has developed since joining the Reds as a designated player in January 2014, the dedicated defensive midfielder who has helped change the club’s culture while adopting Toronto as his home.