Rumors of Brian McBride coming back to MLS to end his career with the Fire are nothing new.
But with McBride’s one-year contract with Fulham set to expire at the end of the current English Premier League season, those rumors could become a reality next year.
McBride, an Arlington Heights native who still has a house in the Chicago area, retired from international soccer in July and could be looking to close another chapter in his career by leaving England.
“As much as the [Fulham] fans love him there, he loves living in the [United] States,” said Fire coach Dave Sarachan, a close friend of the 34-year-old forward. “Brian and his wife miss Chicago. He has talked about finishing [up] here.”
Sarachan’s friendship with McBride developed when Sarachan was an assistant coach on the U.S. national team during the 2002 World Cup. Sarachan’s son, Ian, even stayed with McBride and his family for 10 days in England.
“He has a relationship with a lot of MLS coaches,” Sarachan said about McBride, who played with the Columbus Crew in 1996-2003, “but I think he would like to play for me as his career winds down.”
“His style relies on service–we really don’t play up in the air. Still, we could make it work. The only issue is the cost given our salary-cap room.”
The chance of MLS matching the contract offers of Premier League clubs is unlikely, but that fact alone is hardly the deal-breaker.
“This sort of move is driven by a player’s desire,” Fire GM John Guppy said. “We’re not in position to offer Brian a more lucrative contract.
“But if he ever decides to come to MLS, there will be several teams showing interest in him. We, of course, would have interest.”
Even at 34, McBride continues to produce in the Premier League. Last season, Fulham’s supporters named him the 2005-2006 player of the year after he scored 10 goals. This year, he has started four of seven games for Fulham and has two goals.
Besides his local ties, McBride also would bring the marquee name that has been missing from the Fire since Peter Nowak retired in 2002–an added bonus considering the Fire’s disappointing attendance at Toyota Park this season.
Still, the Fire roster appears to be crowded at forward. Andy Herron has scored in 10 of his last 13 games and up-and-comers Chris Rolfe and Chad Barrett have shown at times why they could be part of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team.
“Right now, I’d say we have forwards,” Sarachan said. “But once we get through the season and make salary-cap decisions, that will be a different story.
“As much as I love Brian, I would have to look at the roster. He understands that.”
Sarachan says McBride has one or two years left to play, but could be effective in MLS.
“He still has legs,” Sarachan said. “If he comes here, he will score goals.”
Corner kicks
Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens was named September’s MLS Player of the Month. Pickens was 6-2 last month and helped lead the Fire to its fourth U.S. Open Cup title during that stretch.
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larroyave@tribune.com
