Stone Report: So Long Brian McBride (Soccer Post)

I know that most of you don't care about soccer. I got into it with my friends Adrian and Chris during the 2006 World Cup.

We decided to keep it up by following the Premier League. I started by following Tottenham, but as I watched more football I really began to like Fulham. I liked the team because of they have several Americans on the team. One of the Americans I love is Brian McBride. He hasn't reached "man crush" status. The wife will correct me, but I believe I only have one "man crush," that's George Clooney.

McBride is leaving the Fulham Football Club.

“After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on."

This is from the Craven Cottage Newsround.

By way of a eulogy, here’s what Bruce of DuNord wrote about McBride in last year’s Fulham Review:

Brian McBride (signed January 04) - The quiet all-American athlete with the long blond hair held out of his eyes by a string. You could just tell he was going to run all day and try to jump right over the stands to get onto every ball. He paid the price many times using his head as a battering ram, even when he knew it might break again. His first professional gig was at Wolfsburg in Germany, but when the new pro league started up in the USA he quickly headed home. He was the first young player brought in for the start of Major League Soccer, and was promoted as the future of American soccer. After massive instant success he twice left us to play for other teams in England, Preston and then Everton. But both times he returned to Columbus unsatisfied and hungry for more. By then he had become a star for the USA, and the third time abroad was the charm.
Which really sums him up very well I think. Thanks for everything, Brian.

McBride's leadership played an important role keeping Fulham from demotion. I'm sure he'll still play for Team USA, who disappointingly lost to England 2-0 in a friendly Wednesday. Fulham still has American Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson. Goalkeeper Kasey Keller is still on the roster, but Fulham signed a new number one a few weeks ago. Keller isn't expected to stay on the team.

Some other FFC McBride eulogies:
Fulham USA
Following the Fulham
Fulham FC

Update: Yes, dear. It would take Brian McBride being in Frisco to get me to drive to Frisco again. Even the prospect of going to a quality Dave and Busters, doesn't make the drive through the colony worth it.

Here are some photos: