A second generation player in the US following his father Pat, a great player, coach & author, Brian McBride will begin his time in this spot with the current Jan. camp at IMG in Bradenton. His 17 year pro career here and in Europe coupled with a trio of World Cup tournies should come in as a great help to him in this new job. With great numbers of 95 caps & 30 goals over his 14 years with the USMNT he will now answer to US Soccer SD Earnie Stewart.
Stewart had this to say "We are thrilled to have Brian McBride assume the role as the General Manager of the US Men's National Team. He has earned the respect of his peers throughout the world. His understanding of the game and what it takes to succeed at the highest levels will be invaluable to our player pool and our staff."
From 20 came 1 out of those considered both foreign and from the states for this spot. Earnie was helped by USWNT GM & Head of Women's Football Kate Markgraf, as many interviews were carried out prior to passing on McBride to the Technical Committee for their approval and the US Soccer Board of Directors ratifiications. McBride will work tightly with both Stewart and Berhalter as the main attention will be to oversee the growth and handling of the player pool, grow and steer the culture in the MNT, work relationships with clubs and stand up for the USMNT at the world wide level.
McBride informed "I am incredibly honored to once again represent the National Team and the US Soccer Federation. I look forward to working with Earnie and Kate Markgraf to continue the progress we have made in the last two decades."
Brian had the sole goal for the USMNT in France 1998, then the first US player to net one in multiple World Cup's as he had one in the 3-0 victory over Portugal and the GWG against Mexico in the 2-0 World Cup Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup. Over 8 senior international tournies, he took the MVP & Golden Boot as the US won the 2002 Concacaf Gold Cup and had a pair of scores in helping the US to 3rd at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. After the 2006 World Cup he stepped down from NT play, he came back in 2008 for the Olympics as one of the 3 overage players.
In club ball, McBride played in Germany, USA & England. 1994 with the Milwaukeee Rampage was his initial taste of pro ball then he was off to Wolfsburg of the 2nd tier in Germany, then back to the US for the kickoff of MLS play with the Crew as the first player taken in the Inaugral Draft. He had 161 games until 2003 good for 62 goals and the 2002 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Loaned to Preseton North End and Everton of England led to his big move to Fulham in 2004 for 4.5 years at Craven Cottage. His key goals in the 2007-'08 and '07-'08 seasons saved them from the throes of relegation and both times earning him Player of the Season, a bar at the stadium is now named for him, high praise indeed in England. Back to the states and the Fire from 2008-'10 he had 18 goals over 59 regular season matches as they achieved 2 Eastern Conference Final games in '08 & '09. He played for St. Louis U., the Bilikens are a historic soccer power, while he was there he set the marks for goals at 72, assists with 40 and was an All-American twice over.
Of late, Brian has been an on air pundit for FOX then ESPN In 2011, he began McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy and Co-Founded and Chief Strategic Officer at TipEVO, heading strategic offerings and outreach to the youth sports community. A USSF B License holder he also has a bachelor's in secondary education out of St. Louis.
Of course nothing but well wishes to Brian and company, I recall his father as he coached V my NY Arrows and NY Express in the 1980's but question a few things. Nothing that I have seen yet goes towards his experience with such a position. Stewart had time in Holland and Philly in similar positions but not much success in Philly as he has now held both positions. Both now hold new positions, less than a year old, and to speak of advances over the last 20 years or so given the recent shortcomings of the USMNT seems a bit disappointing. I wonder what the blueprint is to follow in both of these positions as there were none before them to follow or not follow. It wil be an interesting cycle as the MNT moves along in both the Nations League and World Cup qualifying.