denime
08-01-2008, 06:09 AM
McBride precedent
An interesting precedent was set when the final stamp of approval was placed on Brian McBride's personal odyssey back to Major League Soccer.
Without looking it up, approximately two months ago McBride thanked his then-current club Fulham FC for supporting his dream of playing in the world's best league. In the next sentence, he turned to the Chicago Fire (while making sure that the MLS was listening) and informed it that he would wrap up the final years of his playing career nowhere else than back where it all began.
Problem was TFC held his rights. Problem is the MLS doesn't care.
Under most circumstances McBride would be informed that the market will dictate where he goes to play his next game, and that his personal intentions were duly noted. But the MLS gives little regard to most circumstances. It operates as a business and allowing the market to run its course with McBride would not be a wise business decision.
So after a lengthy game of posturing with a very shrewd businessman himself in Mo Johnston, McBride got his wish (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2008/07/30/barrett_mcbride_deal_done/) and TFC got what presumably adds up to a McBride half-season: Chad Barrett and a first-round pick.
Read more (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2008/07/31/johnston_mcbride_precedent/)
An interesting precedent was set when the final stamp of approval was placed on Brian McBride's personal odyssey back to Major League Soccer.
Without looking it up, approximately two months ago McBride thanked his then-current club Fulham FC for supporting his dream of playing in the world's best league. In the next sentence, he turned to the Chicago Fire (while making sure that the MLS was listening) and informed it that he would wrap up the final years of his playing career nowhere else than back where it all began.
Problem was TFC held his rights. Problem is the MLS doesn't care.
Under most circumstances McBride would be informed that the market will dictate where he goes to play his next game, and that his personal intentions were duly noted. But the MLS gives little regard to most circumstances. It operates as a business and allowing the market to run its course with McBride would not be a wise business decision.
So after a lengthy game of posturing with a very shrewd businessman himself in Mo Johnston, McBride got his wish (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2008/07/30/barrett_mcbride_deal_done/) and TFC got what presumably adds up to a McBride half-season: Chad Barrett and a first-round pick.
Read more (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2008/07/31/johnston_mcbride_precedent/)