Fire's McBride a finalist for MLS Comeback honor

Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride of Arlington Heights has been named a finalist for the 2009 Major League Soccer Comeback Player of the Year honor.

The finalists for MLS awards earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media. The Comeback Player of the Year will be announced on Nov. 10.

The other contenders are Ben Olsen of D.C. United and former Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton of Chivas USA.

After leading the Fire's scoring with 6 goals through the first 16 games of 2009, the Fire forward underwent surgery for a labral tear in his right shoulder. While the doctors anticipated a three- to four-month recovery, McBride returned to play eight weeks later and immediately continued to contribute to the Fire attack with an assist in the club's match against Columbus on Sept. 20th.

Since returning to play, McBride, a Buffalo Grove High School product, added another goal to his 2009 total, tallying the game-tying goal in the Fire's 2-2 draw with Toronto FC on Sept. 26.

The Chicago Fire return to action at Toyota Park at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for Game Two of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New England Revolution.