Filed under: MLS, English Premier League, US Soccer, U.S. Men’s National Team, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew
He’s arguably the most significant American soccer player ever. He was the first draft pick in MLS history, the first American to score in two World Cups, and he was a legend and former captain at an English Premier League club that thought so highly of him it named a stadium pub in his honor.
On Friday, Brian McBride, 38, announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the MLS season. The news gives teams and fans around the country time to recognize and congratulate a once-in-a-generation player who genuinely deserves it.
“Brian is one of the cornerstones of American soccer,” Fire technical director and former U.S. national team forward Frank Klopas said. “He is a consummate professional and embodies everything that is good in the game. His leadership, everlasting commitment and work ethic on the field are parallel to his impact off of it.”
Born outside Chicago, McBride was a true product of the American game. He won a state championship in high school, was an All-American at Saint Louis University (from which he also graduated) and then spent the 1994 season with a minor league team in Milwaukee. After giving German soccer a shot, he returned home to cast his lot with MLS and was drafted first overall by the Columbus Crew.
He spent eight seasons with the Crew and helped them win the U.S. Open Cup in 2002. That year, of course, was more significant for what he accomplished with the national team. McBride had scored the Americans’ only goal at the 1998 World Cup, but tallied twice (both game-winners) in South Korea as the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals.
McBride scored four goals during an impressive loan spell at Everton in 2003 and transferred to Fulham the following year, where he scored 40, was twice named the club’s most outstanding player and wore the captain’s armband. He returned to MLS in 2008 to play for his hometown Chicago Fire.
McBride played 96 times for the U.S., appeared in three World Cups, won the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup and scored 30 goals, good for third all-time behind Landon Donovan and Eric Wynalda.
In addition to those accomplishments and honors, McBride has been highly regarded for his commitment and selflessness on the field. A target forward who’s lethal in the air but who possesses outstanding control and savvy in the penalty area, McBride was always willing to endure punishment for the cause. He suffered several significant injuries during his career (his head and knees seemed to be in the news constantly), and the iconic image of McBride may be the bloody face he suffered during the first half against Italy at the 2006 World Cup. He stayed in the game, naturally.
He’s a player worth celebrating. Here are a couple of videos to get you started:
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