Watching U.S. play in World Cup nerve-racking for Fire's McBride
Brian McBride played in the 1998 World Cup in France, the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and the 2006 World Cup in Germany, so Saturday's U.S.-England game was a very different experience for the Fire forward.
One of the best players ever to put on a U.S. kit, McBride watched the game at his Arlington Heights home with his wife, Dina. And boy, was he uptight.
"I'll tell you, I was texting a friend back and forth in England. I've never been so nervous," said McBride, who retired from international play after the 2006 World Cup. "Honestly. My wife turns to me and says, 'That's how I feel all the time.' I guess because when you're out there, you have sort of an input into it. But yeah, my nerves were going crazy frazzled.
"But I loved it. I loved every minute watching it. I was so happy to see us get a point."
During the World Cup, MLS is taking a break. The Fire got a few days off practice last week before returning to the practice pitch this week. On Sunday the Fire plays the NSC Minnesota Stars in a friendly meant to keep the players in form.
The McBrides used the time to go to the West Coast for a few days.
"We were able to spend a bunch of time sort of away from soccer, getting body rest, enjoying time with the family," McBride said, adding, "Nothing is planned around games except the U.S.-England game."
McBride complimented the Americans on playing a smart game against England, especially considering the altitude at many of the venues in South Africa.
"I think you can see from some of the games - and I haven't watched a ton - the altitude is playing a huge part. There is not the sharp, quick, fast-paced game that you see a lot of times from different teams. And the U.S. had to make sure that they were sound defensively, which they were, and take their chances. There weren't going to be a ton, but they almost pulled out the win."
The Fire is scheduled to practice at 9 a.m. Friday, at the same time the U.S. takes on Slovenia.
The break came at a good time for the fourth-place Fire (3-3-5, 14 points). Not only do players like McBride get a chance to rest and heal some aches and pains, the team gets a chance to regroup and catch its breath.
"When you're on a roll, playing consistently well, you don't want that break to come. But that wasn't us. We had good parts, we had bad parts, and sometimes you just need to get away from the game," McBride said.
On trial: The Fire has four international players on trial this week, including 21-year-old forward Malaury Martin, who played at AS Monaco and captained some of France's youth national teams.
"The French player is a big talent," technical director Frank Klopas said. "But the other players that are in also play at a high level. They have that dynamic of speed. So it's a good opportunity during this window to improve the team."
Klopas credited relationships built over time for being able to bring a talent like Martin across the Atlantic Ocean.
"It doesn't happen overnight," he said. "You've got to be always looking for opportunities, because these guys are on big clubs, but sometimes a coach comes in and maybe he's got his own guys that he wants to play. But there are opportunities there."