The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it will honor Fire forward and U.S. Soccer legend Brian McBride at his final home match at TOYOTA PARK for the Fire’s home finale against D.C. United on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3:00 PM CT (My50/TeleFutura). The club will recognize the MLS All-Time Best XI forward’s achievements during pre-game, halftime and post-game activities in front of the Fire faithful – including video well-wishes from players and coaches who have played alongside McBride in MLS and with the U.S. Men’s National Team, a video interview with McBride and a video salute to McBride’s 17-year professional soccer career. During a postgame ceremony, McBride will personally address fans from midfield and be joined by his family as the Fire present him with a gift of appreciation for his pioneering contributions to MLS and U.S. Soccer.
As part of the celebration, the club will be offering $20 Cornerkick seats to see #20 in his final home match in a Fire uniform. For $20 to see #20, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com. For additional information on season, group or individual 2011 match tickets, click here.
McBride has appeared in 218 games, scoring 79 goals and adding 52 assists over the course of his 11-year MLS career with the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew.
The American striker returned to Chicago to play for his hometown club July 30, 2008, following a celebrated four and half year stint with English Premier League side Fulham FC. While donning the Fire shirt, the Arlington Heights, IL product scored 17 goals in 55 appearances helping the Fire to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals.
One of the defining figures in the history of the U.S. Men’s National Team, McBride appeared in three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) and ranks third all-time in goals scored (30) behind Eric Wynalda (34) and Landon Donovan (45). In the 2002 World Cup, the USA’s most successful World Cup experience, McBride provided game winning goals for the USA in defeats of Portugal and Mexico helping the side advance to the quarterfinals. McBride sits behind Bert Patenaude and Donovan for the most World Cup goals for an American with three. McBride capped his international career by captaining the 2008 U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Games, as one of the three “overage” players permitted to the Olympic squad.
