As a player, Brian McBride’s done it all. The Fire’s veteran striker has starred in the English Premier League for Fulham, featured in three World Cups for the United States, and even played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Given that impressive resume – and his serious on-field demeanor – you wouldn’t expect McBride to get nervous simply watching a match. But that was the case for the Chicagoland native this past weekend, when the 1-1 tie between the US and England kept him on the edge of his seat.
“I’ve never been so nervous,” McBride said. “My nerves were going crazy frazzled for sure, but I loved it. I loved every minute watching it and I was so happy to see us get a point.”
McBride, who played with many of the players on the current World Cup squad during his national team career, said that he was impressed with the intelligence of the American performance.
“I thought it was a very smart performance,” McBride said. “The US had to make sure that they were sound defensively – which they were – and take the chances as there weren’t going to be a ton.”
And while he didn’t catch the match between the Americans Group C opponents Algeria and Slovenia (he was on the west coast and couldn’t get himself up for the 5 a.m. start time), McBride feels that the Americans’ trademark preparedness will serve them well in their crucial match against Slovenia on Friday.
“One thing [US Head Coach Bob Bradley] and his staff have always been is prepared,” McBride said. “They know what they want to do and I’m sure the players will grasp it and go out there.”
McBride added that it will be key for the Americans’ chances to avoid falling into a trap of playing into Slovenia’s hands.
“I think probably some of the things that I’ve learned from playing in World Cups, playing against different opponents, and different styles is that you never want to play into how the [opponent] wants you to play,” McBride said. “But I trust that we’ll be prepared whatever it is.”
BUY: MCBRIDE JERSEY
