Brian
McBride
- Date of Birth Jun 19 1972
- Hometown Arlington Heights, IL
USMNT General Manager
A native of Arlington Heights, Ill., former U.S. Men’s National Team striker and three-time World Cup veteran Brian McBride was appointed as the team’s second General Manager on Jan. 10, 2020. A 2014 inductee to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, McBride became the first USMNT player to score in multiple FIFA World Cups and is one of just 11 to play in three different tournaments. The striker also had a standout 17-year club career in the United States, Germany and England, with his time at English Premier League side Fulham serving as one of the most impressive tenures by a U.S. player with a European club.
In an international career defined by hard work and pivotal goals, McBride earned 95 caps for the USMNT from 1993-2006 and represented the United States at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. The target striker scored the USA’s lone goal at France ’98 and went on to become the first USMNT player to score in multiple World Cups when put the USA up 3-0 against Portugal, setting the stage for one of the most significant goals in team history when he bagged the game-winner against Mexico in the 2-0 shutout victory in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16.
Having represented the United States at eight senior international tournaments, McBride won the Most Valuable Player award and the Golden Boot in helping the USA win the 2002 Concacaf Gold Cup, and also scored two goals as the USMNT finished third at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. Though he retired from senior international play following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, McBride made a brief return to the world’s stage, participating for the USA as one of three overage players at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Beginning his professional career in 1994, McBride began playing with the Milwaukee Rampage before spending a season with Wolfsburg of the Second Bundesliga. Selected first overall in Major League Soccer’s Inaugural Player Draft in 1996, McBride would become a mainstay for Columbus Crew SC, racking up 161 appearances and 62 goals from 1996-2003, while helping lead the side to the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. Foreshadowing a future move back across the pond, McBride spent two fruitful loan stints with English clubs, suiting up for Preston North End in the English League Championship in 2000-2001, before signing on with English Premier League side Everton in 2003.
McBride would make a career-defining move the following season, signing with Premier League side Fulham in 2004 and go on to spend four-and-a-half seasons in West London. Amassing 33 goals in 140 Premier League appearances, the veteran striker became a fan-favorite at Craven Cottage, with his pivotal goals down the stretch in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons helping the club stave off relegation while also earning the club’s Player of the Season in both campaigns. McBride’s legacy is so strong at Craven Cottage that a bar inside the stadium was later named in his honor.
Following his memorable stay with Fulham, McBride returned home to end his career, playing with Chicago Fire from 2008-2010. The striker amassed 18 goals in 59 regular season appearances, helping the club to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2008 and 2009.
Collegiately, McBride turned out for famed soccer powerhouse Saint Louis University from 1990-93, setting school records for goals (72) and assists (40), and earning All-American honors on two occasions. Prior to representing the Bilikens, McBride suited up for Buffalo Grove High School, helping the suburban Chicago side to the 1988 Illinois State Championship.
Prior to joining U.S. Soccer as MNT GM, McBride provided expert on-air analysis and commentary, first for FOX and then ESPN. In 2011, he founded McBride’s Attacking Soccer Academy, and he was the Co-Founder & Chief Strategic Officer for TiPEVO in charge of strategic offerings and outreach to the youth sports community. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Saint Louis University and a USSF ‘B’ License.
In an international career defined by hard work and pivotal goals, McBride earned 95 caps for the USMNT from 1993-2006 and represented the United States at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. The target striker scored the USA’s lone goal at France ’98 and went on to become the first USMNT player to score in multiple World Cups when put the USA up 3-0 against Portugal, setting the stage for one of the most significant goals in team history when he bagged the game-winner against Mexico in the 2-0 shutout victory in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16.
Having represented the United States at eight senior international tournaments, McBride won the Most Valuable Player award and the Golden Boot in helping the USA win the 2002 Concacaf Gold Cup, and also scored two goals as the USMNT finished third at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. Though he retired from senior international play following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, McBride made a brief return to the world’s stage, participating for the USA as one of three overage players at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Beginning his professional career in 1994, McBride began playing with the Milwaukee Rampage before spending a season with Wolfsburg of the Second Bundesliga. Selected first overall in Major League Soccer’s Inaugural Player Draft in 1996, McBride would become a mainstay for Columbus Crew SC, racking up 161 appearances and 62 goals from 1996-2003, while helping lead the side to the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. Foreshadowing a future move back across the pond, McBride spent two fruitful loan stints with English clubs, suiting up for Preston North End in the English League Championship in 2000-2001, before signing on with English Premier League side Everton in 2003.
McBride would make a career-defining move the following season, signing with Premier League side Fulham in 2004 and go on to spend four-and-a-half seasons in West London. Amassing 33 goals in 140 Premier League appearances, the veteran striker became a fan-favorite at Craven Cottage, with his pivotal goals down the stretch in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons helping the club stave off relegation while also earning the club’s Player of the Season in both campaigns. McBride’s legacy is so strong at Craven Cottage that a bar inside the stadium was later named in his honor.
Following his memorable stay with Fulham, McBride returned home to end his career, playing with Chicago Fire from 2008-2010. The striker amassed 18 goals in 59 regular season appearances, helping the club to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2008 and 2009.
Collegiately, McBride turned out for famed soccer powerhouse Saint Louis University from 1990-93, setting school records for goals (72) and assists (40), and earning All-American honors on two occasions. Prior to representing the Bilikens, McBride suited up for Buffalo Grove High School, helping the suburban Chicago side to the 1988 Illinois State Championship.
Prior to joining U.S. Soccer as MNT GM, McBride provided expert on-air analysis and commentary, first for FOX and then ESPN. In 2011, he founded McBride’s Attacking Soccer Academy, and he was the Co-Founder & Chief Strategic Officer for TiPEVO in charge of strategic offerings and outreach to the youth sports community. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Saint Louis University and a USSF ‘B’ License.
