After the NASL went under, Bridgwater became a founder of the Western Soccer Alliance, which later became the USL First Division. Soccer America called him "one of the men most responsible for keeping professional outdoor soccer alive [in the U.S.] after the collapse of the North American Soccer League".
Following the NASL's demise, Bridgwater played a crucial role in establishing the Western Soccer Alliance, which later became the USL First Division. Soccer America acknowledged him as one of the key individuals responsible for keeping professional outdoor soccer alive in the United States after the collapse of the North American Soccer League.