When the Chicago Fire faced Everton FC Wednesday in an friendly at Toyota Park, the souvenir stands had the usual Blanco T-shirts, a few Everton jerseys, and a new item: the No. 20 jersey of newcomer Brian McBride.
A meeting between Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and officials with Toronto FC led to Wednesday's announcement that TFC had traded the long-standing U.S. national team forward to the Fire for young forward Chad Barrett and a 2009 first-round draft pick.
McBride, who "retired" at the end of the most recent English Premier League after spending four years with Fulham, had strongly requested he be allowed to play with the Chicago Fire, which is his hometown team. McBride grew up in suburban Arlington Heights, and has maintained a home there since leaving the Columbus Crew in 2002.
Toronto FC was awarded McBride by having the top allocation spot when McBride announced he wanted to return to MLS, but there was no question he would end up playing for the Fire.
Hauptman had a conversation with McBride Wednesday afternoon and said McBride was "over the moon" about the chance to play for the Fire. In a conference call with Chicago reporters Wednesday, McBride could barely contain his enthusiasm for the transaction.
"I can now say I'm a Fire player," McBride said from Hong Kong, where he is preparing to play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics with the U.S. Olympic team. "It's an exciting time for myself and my family."
The contract signed with MLS is for the remainder of this season and all of next season, but the 36-year-old McBride said he might not be done then.
"My goal is to continue playing at a high level for a long period of time," McBride said.
Because of his Olympic duties, McBride's first possible Fire appearance would be Aug. 16 in a home game against D.C. United. If the U.S. makes it past the group round of the Olympics, his Fire debut would be put off.
But McBride said there would be no need for time off after the Olympic Games.
"I'd jump right back in," McBride said with a laugh. "There would be no need for a break."
"Brian is an outstanding player and we're excited that he is returning to his hometown to join the Chicago Fire," Hauptman said in a club press release. "His tremendous skill and dedication to the sport are an inspiration to us all. We're thrilled we are able to bring him back to Chicago and MLS, and I am confident he will have an important impact on the team, as well as contribute to the community in meaningful ways."
Although Toronto FC traded away a superstar player, they did receive back a striker they needed in Barrett, who had five goals and four assists for the Fire this season, and a total of 18 goals and 11 assists in four seasons with the team.
"First, I would like to thank all parties involved in getting this done," TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston said. "The real winners in this deal are MLS, the Chicago Fire, Toronto FC, and Brian McBride. The Fire has brought back a wonderful striker and we're getting in return, a promising young striker -- as well as a first-round draft pick. It was important that we received the No. 1 pick in this deal, and hopefully it will serve us well in the future."
McBride's professional soccer career is one of the most storied in U.S. soccer history, and its most recent conclusion was significant for an American player. He spent the last four and one-half seasons with Fulham FC in the EPL, and was the team's player of the year in 2005 and 2006. He made 154 career appearances for the team, started 111 games, scored 40 goals, 32 in EPL matches, and was the team's captain for the 2007-2008 season, a high water mark for a player from the USA.
He suffered a dislocated kneecap in the second game of last season, but returned in February, and helped the Whites win four of their last five games to avoid relegation.
McBride was also a mainstay of the U.S. national team for years. He earned 95 caps and scored 30 goals, he appeared in three World Cups -- 1998, 2002 and 2006 -- and is the only U.S. player to ever score goals in more than one World Cup. He has three World Cup goals, ranking second on the country's all-time World Cup scoring list.
After his collegiate career at Saint Louis University, McBride began his professional career with the Milwaukee Rampage of the A-League prior to the creation of Major League Soccer. He scored 17 goals with 17 assists in only 18 games. He then played for VfL Wolfsburg in the German 2.Bundesliga for two seasons (1994 and 1995) before returning to the U.S. to play for the Columbus Crew of MLS.
McBride was the first overall pick of the league in its inaugural draft. He played eight seasons with Columbus, scored 62 goals, had 45 assists and was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI in 2005, when the league celebrated its 10th anniversary.
During his time with the Crew, McBride was twice loaned to teams in England. He played with Preston North End in 2000 and with Everton in 2002, when he scored four goals in eight games.
Kent McDill is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
