McBride's character on display from the start
The Chicago Fire decided to chase after Brian McBride's services because it needed scoring like Amy Winehouse needs rehab. But don't underestimate the man's character as a factor for Fire officials.
Of course, that's a little more difficult to quantify than goals, but let's try it this way.
Brian McBride, 36, flew back from China on Thursday, having played three Olympic games in a week. On Saturday night, he played 45 minutes in the Fire's 1-0 loss to D.C. United, and he probably will start Thursday's match at Los Angeles despite the short week of rest and another long flight.
• Marvell Wynne, 22, did not play in Toronto FC's loss to New York on Sunday.
• Dallas FC's Dax McCarty, 21, did not play Saturday, even though he didn't play much in the Olympics.
• Columbus' Robbie Rogers, 21, played 32 minutes Saturday.
• Houston's Stuart Holden, 23, played eight minutes Saturday.
• New England's Michael Parkhurst, 24, did not play Saturday in a 4-0 loss to expansion San Jose.
Anybody who saw Saturday's Fire game also knows McBride didn't just take the field and put in his time. He worked hard, as he always does, winning headers, taking hits from United's defenders, laying off passes, then hustling back to make tackles when United won the ball.
McBride was brought in to score goals but also to set a good example for the many young and talented players on the roster just starting their professional careers.
Let's hope rookie forward Patrick Nyarko was soaking up every word McBride said while sitting next to McBride on the bench during the first half.
Mini Cooper: The United States kicks off the semifinal round of 2010 World Cup qualifying with Wednesday night's match at Guatemala. It's a chance for many young American players to show they can handle the pressure of playing in Central America, where conditions on and off the field can border on the bizarre.
Surprisingly, Freddy Adu and Kenny Cooper won't get the chance. In Adu's case, perhaps it's because he needs to get to France, where he just joined club Monaco and should make a good impression. Adu did have a very good Olympics, though.
Why Cooper was left off, however, is a mystery. Cooper is second in MLS with 13 goals for a mediocre FC Dallas club, and at 6-feet-3, it would seem his size could be of use.
Instead, the call went to Eddie Johnson, who seemingly hasn't scored an international goal since the Taft administration, and Brian Ching, who has 9 MLS goals.
Maybe Cooper and Adu will get the call when the United States plays Trinidad and Tobago at Toyota Park on Sept. 10. Tickets are still available.
Making waves: Maybe it's a coincidence, but Fire midfielder Marco Pappa earned his first call-up to Guatemala's national team for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier after making a good impression since joining the Fire a couple of weeks ago.
The Fire will be without Pappa, defender Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica) and midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Mexico) on Thursday in Los Angeles, unless they don't play Wednesday night and then make a quick trip to L.A. on Thursday.
Where there's a Will: New Jersey soccer writer Ives Galarcep reports striker Will Johnson has signed to return to MLS from a two-year stint in Europe. Johnson is a Canadian national who grew up in Woodridge and briefly was on the Fire roster. The Fire retains his MLS rights but seems likely to trade him.