Brian McBride has played a ton of home openers in his brilliant career. But this one could be his last.
McBride, the first player chosen in Major League Soccer's first draft before the league's inaugural 1996 season, won't declare the Fire's game against the San Jose Earthquakes tonight as anything more than just his team's first game on home turf.
He is, however, 37 years old -- the oldest field player in MLS -- and he doesn't know how much more he'll play. He already has played far more than most of his peers.
McBride is in his 10th MLS season of a career interrupted by four seasons in the English Premier League.
Last season, McBride led the Fire with seven goals in only 22 games. Shoulder surgery limited his playing time. Still, retirement isn't a consideration.
''I'll approach it very seriously at the end of the season,'' he said. ''I'm taking it one season at a time.''
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