Too many times, I turn on Sky Sports (my ESPN equivalent) and hear some player demanding a new contract and outlandish wages, or possibly that another player spent a bit too much time in a pub and ran his car into a median. There are some however, that play this game, the beautiful game, for their love of the game and the enjoyment they get out of playing it.
Brian McBride is one of those players.
He doesn’t worry about how many goals he has or how big his paycheck is; all he cares about is getting Fulham another win and surviving this relegation battle.
McBride isn’t loud or flashy, but he is the epitome of a leader. He is very often the first at the training grounds and even more often the last to leave. He carries himself with a class and poise that inspires teammates and fans alike.
He is a player who worries more about his teammates than himself, and who always stops to say hello or sign an autograph for a fan.
Most importantly however, he never ever, ever gives up. He keeps on fighting no matter the score line and he keeps scrapping now matter how dismal things are looking.
Fulham’s game against Everton was a prime example of McBride’s leading. He constantly battled in the air and was even more constantly pushed, kicked and elbowed while doing so, but he kept on going. He kept on sending his teammates through, kept pressing his teammates for more for more, and he was finally rewarded when he turned a missed clearance into a goal.
As Tim Howard dug the ball out of the net and McBride’s teammates jogged back for the kick-off, McBride turned and gave the Fulham fans a fist-pump as if to say: “Follow me. I’ll lead us out of this.”
And leave no doubt, McBride will keep the troops fighting and will carry Fulham back to safety.
Cheers!
So, you’re over there in the middle of all the EPL craziness. From where I sit it seems that Yanks still have trouble breaking through into the good graces of the English press. McBride has as a good a chance of convincing the British to the value of American players as any of them — let’s qualify that statement to non-goalkeepers. Is the fact that Brian is an American and doing so well tough for English to swallow?
As a short preview for a blog that is now in the works,
McBride is loved over here because of his work rate and because he is tough as nails.
What would be hard for the English to swallow would be the US beating England in the World Cup, or even better (worse for them) the US winning the world cup all together
SIR JOHN==I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH YOUR BLOGS==GREAT STUFF! YOU MAKE THE GAME, COACHES AND PLAYERS SOUND SMASHING–{HOW IS THAT FOR AN OLD ENGLISH EXPRESSION)–I REMEMBERED IT FROM MY OLD DAYS IN ENGLAND WHEN I WAS IN THE SERVICE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK–PAPA AND SHERRY.