Today, my American Soccer Experience Shifted

by Dave Clark on Sep 3, 2010 8:55 PM PDT in US National Team, World Cup and Other International Soccer

Billiken, Crew, Cottager, Fire

National Team

Today, I found out that the single player most responsible for my love of this game will no longer be a professional. Brian McBride's career is over - done. He didn't play in the match here against the Chicago Fire, and for that I'm a bit sad.

But due to the odd circumstance of knowing another St. Louis Billiken I followed Brian on the National Team, and with the Columbus Crew. In fact in the earliest of years of MLS I listened to Crew games on radio when I was in the Army. Most evenings I could pick it up at night, and if I couldn't I would listen on the internet.

He was the first pick in MLS Draft history. He was an American who captained an EPL side.

For many Americans he defined what it means to be a Target Forward.

An era is over, and I'm a bit saddened. Even as I'm as excited as ever for the game here in America, it will suck to not have my favorite player wearing the MLS badge on his shoulder.

Thank you Brian, for everything that you have done for the game in this nation. May your retirement be filled with joy, family and friends.

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McBride

Out of the many images of all the World Cups I´ve watched, there´s two in particular that will always stand out: Italy´s Marco Tardelli goal celebration in the 1982 final and McBride´s joy face after scoring vs. Portugal in 2002.

by Fútbol En Seattle on Sep 3, 2010 9:36 PM PDT reply actions

Brings back find memories...

I watched him in the Crew’s first game and the US-mexico game in Columbus. He will always be a hero. I do wish that we knew about this when Chicago was in town so we could have acknowledged him and his achievements.

by MMAWrestling on Sep 3, 2010 10:10 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Fond

Dumb auto correct on phone

by MMAWrestling on Sep 3, 2010 10:11 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

My memories are less real...

My buddy and I got excited about the 06 World Cup by playing the FIFA video game going with it. We spent hours and hours taking random countries all the way. We had the most but scoring with ridiculous ease with Brain McBride. We were very fond of him, and my soccer attention waned quickly after the tournament.

Now I’m a little bit older, wiser, and have a little more patience to learn the game the right way, and so far I’m being very rewarded. It is sad to see that Brian is no longer running around anywhere, but the memories of even his video game representation will stay with me a long time.

by JWAY on Sep 4, 2010 5:52 AM PDT reply actions