The anticipated
release yesterday of the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for this month’s stateside
friendlies against Poland and Colombia came with anticipation and went with
disappointment for many fans of Bob Bradley’s side.
The source for
displeasure wasn’t necessarily a name on the list, but one that was left off. Missing
from the 20-man U.S. roster was legendary striker Brian McBride, who last month
announced he would call an end to his illustrious 16-year professional career following
the 2010 MLS season.
Though the
Arlington Heights native announced his retirement from international
competition following the U.S. exit from the 2006 World Cup, many a U.S.
supporter clamored for a testimonial cap to honor the American legend one last
time in front of his hometown crowd when Bradley’s side takes on Poland at
Soldier Field on October 9.
Days after
McBride’s announcement last month, Bradley was in Chicago attending the
Fire-Toronto FC match at Toyota Park. Fielding questions from supporters, I
asked the U.S. boss if he would consider a
ceremonial appearance
for the former Fulham striker when his
side took on Poland.
“I would need more
time to think that through,” said Bradley at the time. “We’ve had discussions
along the way and Brian has again -- to show you what kind of guy he is, even
when we’ve had discussions after he had announced his international retirement
– his respect for our team, his respect for the other players is so high that
he’s not typically someone who’s interested in those kind of things. He’s
always made decisions based upon an all-around respect of what it means to play
for his national team and I just think that speaks to his character."
Following
yesterday’s roster announcement, many fans thought Bradley had denied McBride
the chance at one last international appearance before he called it a day, but
the veteran of 95 international appearances dispelled those thoughts earlier
today.
“Bob called me
this week to have a conversation regarding my feelings about it,” said McBride
prior to the Fire’s training session in Dallas. “Like always, it was a good
conversation. It didn’t even get to the talk about having a testimonial. He was
being very gracious and I don’t know which way he was leaning, but in my view,
it was something that I didn’t think should be done.”
Though McBride
made a brief international return in 2008 when he joined the U.S. Olympic team
in Beijing as one of three “overage players”, the striker has held the same
line regarding a return to national team following his retirement.
Just five caps
away from the century mark, it always bewildered me why he didn’t stay on with
the national team to join the likes of Cobi Jones, Claudio Reyna and Marcelo
Balboa, among others in the U.S. “100 Club”.
"The most important thing for me isn't numbers - it never has been,” McBride said in my interview with him in March. “I've had the good fortune to do something I love while building a family and getting to see the world. The opportunity to go to the Olympics came up and it was a great experience, but I haven't had any thoughts about going back to the national team. "
Even knowing his feelings about a brief international
swansong, for so many reasons the match against Poland seemed too perfect an
opportunity to pass up. Surely the desire of many U.S. fans made McBride at
least ponder the idea, but as Bradley reiterated last month, Brian’s reasons
for not wanting it are about the team and the program.
“If it was something that was done right after I retired from
the national team then I would have definitely been interested. It’s a great
honor and to be thought of in that way is something that makes me feel proud.
It’s been four years since I retired and I didn’t want to come in and water
down the effect of being called to the national team. It’s an honor and soccer
is a team game – I didn’t want to make it an individual thing.”
McBride also hit home the importance of the match as Bradley
begins the process of building a side to compete in next year’s CONCACAF Gold
Cup and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“Even though it’s a friendly, it’s an important game for a
lot of players. It’s a time for the U.S. and Bob to build his team and give
players the experience of playing together in an international atmosphere. I’m
honored by the thought process and thanks to the fans for thinking of me in
that vein. Ultimately it’s a team sport and it isn’t the right time. My time is
gone in that realm and I consider myself a fan like everyone else.”
With all this, it’s also important to remember the Fire
still have a chance of playoff qualification and take on the Columbus Crew at
Toyota Park the night before. Having only called in two MLS players for the
friendlies, FC Dallas’ Heath Pearce and Brek Shea, Bradley said last month that
his roster would be sensitive to MLS club’s playoff situations.
As McBride said during his retirement announcement on September 3, he’s still working to help the club make their 12th postseason appearance in 13 seasons.
Ultimately, to deviate any attention away from that goal
just isn’t McBridesque and at the end of such an impactful career, Brian’s
going out exactly the way he wants.
Jeff Crandall is the Team Writer for the Chicago Fire. Follow him on Twitter @JefeCrandall. Follow the Chicago Fire on Twitter @ChicagoFire
