Backheel Breakfast: Michael Bradley spreads the Toronto FC gospel

Every player talks about the “project” when they arrive at a new club that’s any smaller than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. Those are final destinations where trophies are expected, but basically everything else is a project. Toronto FC, a club that’s less than 10 years old, that spends a ton of money and has never made the MLS playoffs, is a huge project, and Michael Bradley spoke about that accordingly when he joined the club.

But over a year later, he’s still towing the company line. After a year-plus of underachieving, most players -- especially ones like Bradley, who could stick with a top flight club in Europe if he chose to leave -- change their tune a little bit. Bradley, in an interview with Grant Wahl at SI, sounds as enthusiastic as ever.

“In the bigger picture, nobody firmly believes more in this club and this city than I do. It’s why I’m here, it’s why I’m still here, it’s why I’m gonna be here. I think that this has the chance to be something totally different, totally unique, something special in MLS.”

Those are strong words from a man who doesn’t need to say them, as much as Toronto FC needs him to say them. He wants to be the Francesco Totti of Toronto FC. Check out the full interview.

Sporting Lokeren defender Gregory Mertens collapsed after suffering an apparent heart attack during a game on Monday. He’s in critical condition. (BBC)

After a week of silly inter-MLS loan rumors, Montreal Impact signed NASL goalkeeper Kristian Nicht for their CCL final second leg. (MLS)

Milan watch: Mr. Bee apparently left Milan before a scheduled meeting with the Berlusconis. (Football Italia)

Gerard Pique will rest against Getafe. (AS)

Martin Odegaard is in Real Madrid’s 18-man squad to face Almeria. (Mirror)

Surprise! Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool are title contenders next season. (ESPN FC)

Here’s BATE Borisov’s captain getting tackled by a cheerleader. (Guardian)

Maher Mezahi on MO Constantine and Algerian club football. (In Bed With Maradona)

Tom Dart on the fall of Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, a vile bigot. (Soccer Gods)

Ian King on the rise of AFC Bournemouth and their financial turmoil. (Two Hundred Percent)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

James Milner to Liverpool is “virtually a done deal.” (Metro)

Real Madrid could offload Iker Casillas to Arsenal. (Managing Madrid)

Expect Manchester City to bid for Jack Wilshere, and expect Arsene Wenger to tell them where to stick it. (Mirror)

Bournemouth blasted past Bolton, and they’re all but in the Premier League. (Guardian)

Valencia crushed Granada to go into fourth place. (Eurosport)

Barcelona vs. Getafe (2 p.m.) - With no Pique and no Alba, crazier things than a draw have happened.

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund (2:30 p.m.) - Jurgen Klopp’s last Klassiker comes in the DFB-Pokal, and this is the undisputed match of the day.

Hull City vs. Liverpool (2:45 p.m.) - Maybe it’s not terribly important for Liverpool, but a point would be massive for Hull.

Udinese vs. Inter Milan (2:45 p.m.) - Technically, a real Serie A match that counts.

PSG vs. Metz (3 p.m.) - PSG haven’t put away Lyon in the title race yet, and really need to keep winning.

Universitario vs. Tigres (8 p.m.) - This week’s only Copa Lib match. For some reason, these clubs want to get it out of the way early.