Bradley not changing approach for season leading into World Cup

The U.S. national team star won't look at the 2013-14 season any differently just because it's leading into a World Cup, but he still knows how important playing time will be.

WASHINGTON – For Michael Bradley, even though the 2013-14 season is leading directly up to the World Cup, it will be business as usual.

Following his team's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in a preseason game, the Roma and USA midfielder spoke about his mentality heading into the new season.

“The idea is always the same," Bradley said at a press conference. " The idea is to improve each day. The idea is to take a big role in the team I'm playing on, which is Roma.”

“The idea is to be on the field as much as possible. To help Roma win. When you're able to do all these things, it comes together in a way where you're improving as a player and then obviously when you step on the field for the national team, what you can give to that team continues to grow as well.”

Bradley established himself as a regular in his first season with Roma, starting 30 league games. With the big-money addition of Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman though, Bradley may face even more competition for playing time in his second season at the Stadio Olimpico.

With the U.S. national team on the verge of clinching a berth at Brazil 2014, Bradley knows how important playing time can be.

“Obviously when there's a World Cup at the end of the season, it's important for everybody to be playing consistently, to be sharp, to be fit,” Bradley said. “But these are things that you want to do every year regardless.”