McBride true hometown hero
This is chaos, and Brian McBride just keeps politely smiling.
Everywhere he turns he's asked to do a television interview, sign an autograph, pose for a photo.
"This is amazing," the Fire forward said at Tuesday's preseason luncheon to benefit the team's charitable foundation.
He's craning his neck, trying to look above the crowd to catch a glimpse of his wife, Dina, whom he has lost track of. "This is a very neat thing, not only for the charity but for the fans."
A newspaper reporter has seen a break and tried to steal a few minutes of McBride's time, to ask about how, in his first full season with the Fire after joining the team in August, McBride is connecting with teammates.
The interlude lasts 42 seconds before actor and Wheaton native Jim Belushi - the luncheon's special guest - comes over to joke about the video they made for the luncheon.
They're quickly joined by team owner Andrew Hauptman. After a couple of minutes of catching up, the interview resumes.
"It's good to be around a little more, add things here and there a little more," McBride says of his leadership role on the team. "No one wants the new guy coming in spewing things anyway. You want to say something that's poignant."
McBride has never been the type to say a lot, and he never has needed to.
"Brian's not the kind of guy that yells at people," midfielder John Thorrington said, "or is kind of like Machiavellian, scaring them into something.
"He's similar to Chris Armas in that he leads by example. Just guys soaking in what he does day in and day out to play at this level at his age (36) and what he's accomplished."
Thorrington says McBride has developed a "partnership" with second-year striker Patrick Nyarko, who also played a key role in Saturday's victory.
"It's great," Nyarko said of playing with McBride. "I cannot describe it. He makes the game so easy for me. He basically tells me what I need to do. He gives me confidence.
"As you said, he's a legend. Who am I to talk to Brian McBride? But he just tells me, 'Hey, talk to me, let me know if I'm making a mistake.' We keep talking, communicating. Honestly, he makes the game so easy for me."
McBride's penalty kick Saturday at Dallas gave the Fire the lead for good in a 3-1 season-opening victory, and of course his ability to score is a big reason the Fire brought the Arlington Heights native home.
He's also grooming the next generation, making players such as Nyarko better by his example and his interest in them.
"Oh, for sure," Nyarko said emphatically. "He tells me what runs I'm making wrong and tells me what I should do the next time, corrects my mistakes. I've learned so much, and I'm still learning a lot from him."
Back in the middle of the room, McBride is as busy as ever.
"He's had an unbelievable preseason, and he's an extremely talented guy that is really," McBride says about Nyarko as he's handed a soccer ball to sign, "going to be a quality player.
"And he already is. He's understanding the game of soccer a little bit more, and I'm excited to see him continue to grow."
The hometown hero is in the homestretch of his career. His contract expires at the end of this season.
Could he play longer?
He sure looks fit, and if he lost a step over the winter it didn't show Saturday. It could depend on whether this deep and talented squad can win MLS Cup.
"We know we're all potentially part of something special here," Thorrington said.
Meanwhile, McBride continues to multitask, answering questions while posing with fans for a photo, then greeting an older couple walking by.
Clearly, there's more to Brian McBride's job description than scoring goals.
oschwarz@dailyherald.com