My 10th best player is Brian McBride and I think this video clip says it all.
Brian McBride – US soccer legend
Brian McBride
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Robert McBride[1] | ||
| Date of birth | June 19, 1972 (1972-06-19) (age 39) | ||
| Place of birth | Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1990–1993 | St. Louis Billikens | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1994 | Milwaukee Rampage | 18 | (17) |
| 1994–1995 | VfL Wolfsburg | 18 | (2) |
| 1996–2004 | Columbus Crew | 161 | (62) |
| 2000–2001 | → Preston North End (loan) | 9 | (1) |
| 2003 | → Everton (loan) | 8 | (4) |
| 2004–2008 | Fulham | 151 | (41) |
| 2008–2010 | Chicago Fire | 59 | (18) |
| Total | 424 | (145) | |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2008 | United States U-23 | 3 | (0) |
| 1993–2006 | United States | 96 | (30) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 24, 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 26, 2009 |
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Brian Robert McBride (born June 19, 1972) is a retired American soccer player who finished his career for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS), but spent the majority of his time in MLS playing for the Columbus Crew. For much of his career he played in Europe, notably for Fulham in the English Premier League.
During his time in London, McBride became a fan-favorite[2] as well as team captain; after leaving the club, Fulham re-named the sports bar at Craven Cottage McBride’s in his honour.[3][4]
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[edit] Career
[edit] High School and College
Born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, McBride played varsity soccer at Buffalo Grove High School, under coach John Erfort, where he led the Bison to the Illinois state championship in 1988, his junior year. During a playoff game against Fremd, McBride broke his nose in the first half, but came back into the game to score the game winning goal. In his four years in high school, he scored 80 goals, 33 as a senior despite playing his senior season as a defender.[5] In the regional final against Stevenson High School his senior season, McBride played goalkeeper, stopping four of eight penalty kicks after the game ended tied.[6] McBride was also named an All-American by Parade Magazine.[5] Later, as a professional, he signed a contract with Nike with the condition that the boys’ varsity soccer team receive new uniforms every two years.
McBride had an illustrious career with Saint Louis University, from which he graduated in 1993. In his four seasons with the Billikens, he played (and started) in 89 games, and set career records for goals (72), assists (40) and total points (184).[5] While at school, McBride was a 1992 second team and a 1993 first-team All-American.[7][8] He also was named Most Valuable Player of the Great Midwest Conference three years straight, as well as being named to the All-Conference first-team during this stretch. He trained at the world famous Magna Fitness Center. In August of 2009, Brian McBride received a nursing degree from the College of William and Mary.[9]
[edit] Club
[edit] Milwaukee Rampage
McBride briefly played for the minor league Milwaukee Rampage. In 18 games, he scored 17 goals and assisted another 18. That year also saw Tony Sanneh playing with the Rampage. Both Sanneh and McBride would play professionally in Germany, in MLS and on the U.S. men’s national team.
They linked up for a historic goal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In a game against Portugal, Sanneh, playing right back, played a cross into the box which McBride put into the top corner. After the game, McBride mentioned, “We joked about it in the locker room, it is a play we have done a thousand times [while teammates with the Milwaukee Rampage]. “I took a step in at the far post and lost my marker. He delivered a beautiful cross and I knocked it home.”[10]
[edit] Germany
In 1994, McBride left the United States to ply his trade in Germany. At the time, VfL Wolfsburg played in the German Second Division and provided several aspiring American players an opportunity to play football in Europe. These included Chad Deering, Claudio Reyna and Mike Lapper, as well as McBride. McBride struggled to find playing time with the club and also had difficulty scoring. However, one of his two goals came in an 2-1 upset victory over Bayern Munich in the German Cup quarterfinals. At the end of the season, McBride gained a release from Wolfsburg and when MLS was created, chose to return to play in the United States.
[edit] Columbus Crew
McBride returned to America in 1996 for the inaugural season of Major League Soccer, for whom he was the first overall pick of the MLS Inaugural Draft. McBride would proceed to play eight years with the Columbus Crew, amassing 62 goals (no longer tied for the club record with Jeff Cunningham) and 45 assists in 161 league games, before his move to England. In 2005, he was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.
In 2011, the Crew honored McBride by naming him the inaugural member of its Circle of Honor.
[edit] Loan spells in England
While playing for Columbus in the MLS, McBride spent two loan periods in England. The first came in 2000 when McBride played for Preston North End, then managed by David Moyes. While McBride played well for the club, he sat out several games after having a blood clot surgically removed from his arm, which consisted of having a rib removed.[11] The clot came as a result of a hard collision McBride had suffered during his first game with Preston. As McBride’s loan spell came to an end, Preston attempted to purchase his contract from MLS for $1.8 million. MLS rejected it, considering McBride to be worth twice that amount.[12] Two years later, Premier League club Everton were beginning to slide down the table. David Moyes, now with Everton, remembered McBride’s success with Preston and sought the forward’s services to help Everton. During McBride’s three months with the club, he did not disappoint Moyes, scoring four goals in eight games, including his first game with the club, a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. He made close friends during the short time with players such as Leon Osman (with whom he still plays football) and Richard Wright.[13] Everton, unlike Preston, merely sought to extend McBride’s loan period, but MLS rejected it, preferring a transfer over an extended loan for McBride.[14]
[edit] Fulham
McBride playing for Fulham in 2005
In January 2004, Premier League club Fulham bought McBride’s rights from MLS for $1.5 million. He played 18 games during the last half of the 2003-04 season, scoring a total of five goals. His scoring pace remained steady through the next two seasons. In 2004-05, he played 31 league games and six cup games, scoring six league and three cup goals. In 2005-06, he played 38 league games and one cup game, scoring 10 league goals and one cup goal. McBride’s original contract with Fulham continued only through the 2005-06 season. However, on 10 March 2006, he signed a one year extension which took him through the end of the 2006-07 season. On February 2, 2007, he signed yet another one year extension, taking him through the 2007-2008 season. He has a reputation as a battler with a high work rate, a trait prized in English football.
McBride was Fulham’s top scorer for their 2006-07 Premier League campaign with twelve goals to his name. He was given Fulham’s captaincy in August 2007.[15]
When scoring the opening goal in a home match against Middlesbrough on August 18, 2007, McBride dislocated his kneecap. He wouldn’t make his return to action until a friendly against Cardiff City in late January 2008, and resumed his Premier League duties as a substitute against Aston Villa on February 3, 2008.[16] McBride scored his first goal since his injury against Everton at Craven Cottage on March 16, 2008, in a 1-0 victory for Fulham.[17][18] The then Fulham manager Chris Coleman commented it was such a shame that McBride hadn’t been ‘discovered’ earlier in his career, and played more in England.
On May 28, 2008, McBride announced that he would be leaving Fulham to return to the United States to play in MLS.[19]
After scoring twelve goals in 2006-07 season which helped Fulham retain their Premier League status, on May 14, 2007, McBride won the Club’s Player of the Year award. He won it again in 2008, and became such a popular figure that the club renamed a bar inside Craven Cottage “McBride’s” in June 2009.[20]
[edit] Chicago Fire
McBride playing for Chicago in 2010
Following the end of his one-year contract extension, McBride decided to return to the United States to end his career in MLS. He expressed his desire to play for Chicago, his hometown.
On July 30, 2008, McBride was traded to the Chicago Fire for Chad Barrett, a first round pick in the MLS SuperDraft and conditional future considerations. He made his Fire debut on August 16, 2008, coming on as a second-half substitute against D.C. United. McBride scored his first goal against Houston Dynamo. McBride scored the first goal in the MLS Playoff Eastern Conference Championship against the Columbus Crew, his former club. However, Chicago lost that game 2-1 and were kept from being in the MLS Playoff final.
McBride scored nine goals during the 2009 season, including two goals in the three SuperLiga games in which he played.
On September 3, 2010, McBride announced that he would retire following the 2010 MLS season. McBride scored his 80th career goal (in MLS) during his final match before being substituted off to a standing ovation.[21]
[edit] Coaching
McBride established the Brian McBride Soccer Academy which is based in Lake Zurich, Illinois.
[edit] International
McBride was a significant player for the United States national team, earning 96 caps and scoring 30 goals for the national team. He made his international debut in 1993.[5]
He was part of the U.S. team that played at the 1998, 2002, and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He scored at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments and in doing so, became the first American player to score at two World Cups. Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan have since equaled this feat. McBride is third behind Bert Patenaude and Donovan for the most World Cup goals for an American with three.
On May 2, 2006, McBride was named to the U.S. roster for his third consecutive World Cup. At the 2006 World Cup, McBride was severely bloodied in a group stage match against Italy after being elbowed in the face by Daniele De Rossi. He needed three stitches. As punishment, De Rossi was banned for four matches and fined CHF 10,000.[22]
Following the end of the tournament, McBride announced his retirement from international duty on July 26, 2006.[23] He is the first-ever spokesperson for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association. He donated $100 to the association for every goal and assist he tallied for the U.S. National Team.[5]
On July 18, 2008, McBride was named as one of the three overage players on the U.S. Olympic Team and served as captain.[24][25]
Below is a list of the best 10 players. I do not agree totally with the list.
Best Soccer (Football) Players of All Time
.
The Top Ten
1Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento)
“This is a century old question that will impact future generations, some say that he won everything with the best team, but in that same thought, remember this is a team game. Pele was terror to any goalie, he only presence in the area shuke fear in their very core. But beyond that a player goes beyond the field, sets standards of living for other players and fans, the only one to positively do this is not but Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, any more questions check his numbers.
“Just look at his goals on You Tube, he could whack the from a mile out or dribble them into the back of the net, he was the most complete player the game has ever seen and unlike modern players didn’t have the comfort of referees protection… opposing players tried to kick him off the park. I remember seeing him in the early 70’s and frankly it was a time to really watch football rather than spoilt brats thinking they are a lot better than they really are.
“When you see this guy play, it’s like everything else around you doesn’t matter. The ringing phone doesn’t disturb you. The chatter of the people makes no impact on you at all. It’s just him, him and his game. Pele wasn’t just another amazing football player, he was an excellent one, a prodigy, incomparable, and probably, someone this world will never see again in the next 100 years. He simply is, a football legend.
kusanagi_sanasara
“he is the perfect player, A complete package who can drible, juggle, freekick, deadly crosses, long range efforts, never ending stamina, great accuracy with both feets, serious pace, his hight which he can achieve when he jumps for the ball, perfect body shape, unforgetble free kicks and last but not the least he is from portugal and unarguabley he is the player they have ever produced and might not produce same again, his coutry of origin is not that famous as for pele, maradona, messi, ronaldhino and zidane but still he is now among them which means his will and hungar for goals and win is greater then any of em! I love his style!
“I just had to! he is one of the best, he scores goal, he set up goals, good at taking free kicks ^^ he is the most skillful player ever lived! he made a good decision to leave man utd because now he can go up against he’s arch rival lionel messi which he lost to a couple of time but he never gave up thats exactly the pasion you want for football! he’s the best and you all know it but just wont admit it…
“Crisitiano Ronaldo Is amazing, His an inspiration. He inspires me to play soccer and to live my dreams. ” Im living a dream I never want to wake up from” Thanks Ronaldo youve shown me that anyone can be anything & live up there dreams you just gotta make it happen & Believe. Love you Cristiano! Good luck in the future (:
“maradona is much better then ronaldo, cristiano ronaldo and much better than Pele he’s so dumb I dot even know him wow that is sad right. Diego Maradona may score a goal with his hand but thats how smart he’s he always want’s to win and never wants to lose like some other. you should put him number 1. He can dribble all the field without losing the ball that must be cool. Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo can’t do that. I don’t know about Pele couse again I don’t know him. Everybody thinks he’s a bad player only because they are jelous. He’s not sneaky because it is not his foult that the revery didn’t look. What would you say if he didn’t score with his hand. If that never happend you would say he’s far far the best player in the world.
“no one can move the ball with such pin-point accuracy as Maradona can (and still can at the age of 50)… Pele’s goal score is misleading. Half of his goal scores came from unofficial matches, including state and suburban competitions, practice matches, and meaningless club friendlies. He recorded these goals unofficially himself, how petty! This explains why his record of the number of matches he played was much higher than fellow Brazilian players at the time. He could win no world cup in the 50s and 60s if he was born in Argentina.
“Diego Maradonna was the greatest and had skill no other footballer could even dream of. He was better than Pele.
Some of the names on this list though are an absolute joke like Beckham rated at 11 and Michael Owen being rated so highly. Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer are way better footballers than both Owen and Beckham who shouldn’t even be anywhere near the list. Especially Beckham the most over rated player in the history of the game.
steviejj
“Put France back onto the worldwide football map.
His playing skills were simply marvelous, amazing, punctuated in my opinion by his incredible performance against Brazil in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. At that point of his career he was more Brazilian than any Brazilian at the time.
Always present when needed, he led France to back-to-back major championships in 1998 and 2002.
Came back in 2006 and almost won it for France in overtime with another amazing headshot (his specialty in the Finals) blocked by a certain Gianluigi Buffon, at the top of his craft.
Zidane’s name should be well ahead of the two Ronaldo’s. Cristiano is a great player but he hasn’t won anyhting worthy now and probably won’t.
“Zindane is higher than Ronaldhino.
Ronaldhino cant play big games. He can never use his tricks when he play. The fake u-tube video(gitting the post several times) does not make him great.
Pele …dont know about hi. Looking at the videos, i dont think he can be compared to Zidane.
Football was different then. It was not competetive.
Pele is better than general but not great because he did not face great opposition and he didnt have magic touches like zidane or other players have these days. he was just a mere shooter like Trazeguet….he got lucky. But zico is better in Brazilian player.
“not the most amazing but the best, the coolest, one of the most passionate, the best playmaker, the greatest player ever!
i’m not french, he’s never played for my team, I am totally neutral and rarely wrong! 😀
“He is the greatest, a perfect dribbler, free-kick taker, Guys don’t forget the free-kick against England on the quarter finals on 2002 world cup. He was great in Barcelona too, where he remarkably gained popularity and love of millions of fans, I really don’t think any other player has such a dribbling ability. When I see his videos of Barcelona and Bralizian days of him I feel so happy to see his style of play, Two times World Player of the year consecutively is not a joke. He is the god for me and all the other DIHNO’s fans.
“RONALDINHO IS ONE OF THE BEST SOCCER PLAYERS EVER HE IS EVEN BETTER THAN MARADONA. HE HAS GOOD DRIBBLING ABILITIES. HAVE U SEEN THE GAME HE PLAYED AGAINST ENGLAND WOW. THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST GAMESHE PLAYED HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT TO DO HE NEVER USES THE SAME TRICKS HE HAS BLESSED FEET. THATS WHO I WANT TO BE LIKE WHEN I BECOME A PRO HOLLAR AT ME IF U THINK I CAN MAKE IT
“no one can tosh him he is a ninja he is di only complete footballer in di world only man I see use is back to make a true pass is that amazing marodana could not class with him di reason why he use drugs to play di game I would not have marodana in my 5,000 thousand list
“What! is this possible? Messi down here? I frankly think you guys should throw away those Black and White televisions and get a better one. What are you even telling me? That Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo Zidane Zico Jari Litmanen(No way) and Gheorghe Hagi(Who is this guy anyway) are better than Messi? Even Maradona can’t compare himself with Messi, Almost all the things Maradona did, he did them when he was high but Messi doing his stuffs with clear eyes, That guy is almost the greatest and he will be very soon. This is how the real list should be:
1. Pele(No doubt about that)
2. Ronaldinho (The most gifted feet in football ever)
3. Messi (The magnetic touch and heading towards the 2nd position soon)
4. Xavi (The 360 degrees turn master)
5. Cruyff (First apprentice of the total football). Then maybe
6. Maradona (The King of stamina)
“He is a fantastic team player (unlike C. Ronaldo)
He can dribble like Maradona.
He has scored more goals in one season in La Liga than Ronaldo (the better one)
He never seems to dive (he realises he has better impact on the game if he stays on his feet)
When he is fouled he rarely flies off the handle. (Unlike Maradona)
He would never (and has never) claimed to be the best player ever over others.
He generally keeps quiet and lets his football do the talking. (Unlike Pele)
Admittedly, I am biased and am too young to have a fully informed viewpoint. I am CERTAIN Messi is better than CR7, to suggest otherwise is dellusional…
“How can C. Ronaldo be a better player than Messi. Messi is a better dribbler, better passer and he has an exellent accuracy(when hitting on the target), an accuracy which C. Ronaldo will never have. The only thing that C. Ronaldo can do better then Messi is run faster and hit stronger, but thats nothing if you don’t have accuracy(from 10 shots only 1 is on the target). He is just hitting the ball(by luck) until one of the will go straight to the goals. So what I whant is Messi is a better player than C. Ronaldo. I hope most of the people will agree with me.
More comments about Zico
“truly one of the greatest players what the world had, only a miracle had held back Romania to reach the World Cup 1994 Semi Finals with him
MatrixGuy
“The BEST player in Turkey and one of the best in the world.. Turkey and Galatasaray will never forget him!..
LEO75
“The current romanian football needs NOW a football player like Hagi! (or more players better than Ghorghe Hagi, like me:) )
The Daily Hatch 