Brian McBride is coming home to Major League Soccer. To be completely honest, this makes me happier than hearing David Beckham or Cuauhtemoc Blanco were joining the league -- even more so than when ex-U.S. captain Claudio Reyna came home.
Simply put, McBride is pure class. He's without ego, a tireless hard worker, ageless and a proven goal-scorer. In short, he is perhaps the best export MLS has ever sent out into the big leagues of Europe. Having him come home is a surefire sign that we've come full circle and that the league has garnered enough international success that one of its children thinks it's worth his time to finish his career here.
Yes, McBride isn't a young kid -- he's 35 -- but he is by no means finished. Despite his injury problems with his knees, the Chicago-area native can still score and is the kind of aerial threat MLS is lacking (apologies to Brian Ching). He became a folk hero at Fulham for his work ethic and willingness to sacrifice his own body to help his team.
Now the big question: Where is McBride headed? Toronto FC has first dibs in the player-allocation pool, but could you really see McBride going there? He told SI.com last May that, when the time came to head home, he wouldn't mind ending up with his hometown Fire. But Chicago has virtually no cap space and would have to trade for a second designated-player spot (Blanco occupies its current one).
Columbus? Possibly. McBride enjoyed enormous success with the Crew during his eight seasons in MLS, scoring 62 goals while wearing the gold-and-black. But Sigi Schmid has finally found a winning combination in Columbus and might be loath to tinker with it. But how much would you love to see McBride in front of goal, heading in crosses from Guillermo Barros Schelotto?
So where else could McBride go? One thing I do know -- he wouldn't be coming home to MLS without some sort of understanding from a team of his choosing. And no matter where he goes, he's without question deserving of a designated-player spot. My guess is Toronto FC signs him as a DP and trades him to Chicago, perhaps for a package of players including Chris Rolfe. Stay tuned.
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Comments (8)
McBride + Schelotto would be exciting to see, Seeing McBride score for Fulham returning from that nasty injury was great to see. The Cottagers will miss him as much as the USMNT
Big Chaco | 05/28/08, 03:34 PM
Report Offensive CommentMcBride should have stayed at Fulham and made one last money grab.
I guess he will go to Columbus or the Fire will find a way to get him into the fold.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN'S OWN | 05/28/08, 04:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentThis is perhaps the best thing for American soccer. Fans can watch a true American soccer icon play on American soil and not waste away on a bench onverseas. He can contribute to a MLS team.
Red Zone | 05/28/08, 04:21 PM
Report Offensive CommentI love MCBride and I'd love to see him come to the Fire, but there is NO WAY they should trade Chris Rolfe for him. When Rolfe is healthy, his only rivals at the forward position are Landon Donovan and Kenny Cooper. The Fire would be completely stupid to do this.
More sensible would be a package deal that would include Calen Carr, Wilman Conde, and Floyd Franks.
GoFire! | 05/28/08, 06:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentMore Americans need to come back. I understand how the money situation affects the situation, but I think once the union and league start to ratify new deals the MLS should start to make a real effort to keep its American (or even Canadian) talent on this side of the ocean, even if it means some sort of DP or salary exception for national team players. There is no reason any of our players should be headed abroad unless if it is for a top Euro league. If they can't keep domestic players from the likes of Austria and some strange fringe leagues, then the MLS isn't doing their job.
David James Brown | 05/28/08, 07:41 PM
Report Offensive Comment*hoping against all hope that he ends up in Seattle*
thehemogoblin: Tibet: $0.99 | 05/29/08, 01:03 AM
Report Offensive CommentBrian McBride is the best US field player ever...bottom line...success in the MLS, EPL, and World Cup...cant name another player with those credentials!
cbrady10982 | 05/29/08, 02:34 PM
Report Offensive CommentBrian McBride is the best US field player ever....success in the MLS, EPL, and World Cups.....no other player has those credentials
cbrady10982 | 05/29/08, 02:35 PM
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