McBride ends USA exile

July 21, 2008

36-year-old striker Brian McBride will come out of international retirement to lead the 18-man US squad in Beijing.

McBride, who has 30 goals in 95 appearances for his country, is out of a contract after leaving Fulham over the summer.

McBride’s inclusion in the Beijing squad came about almost by accident. West Ham defender Jonathan Spector brought up the idea with McBride and U-23 assistant coach Lubos Kubik in fun during the Premier League season.

“Jonathan, as a joke, goes, ‘Lubos, you know that Brian wants to play in the Olympics’,” McBride told US Soccer’s official website. “Lubos says, ‘That’d be great’. After a few more jokes I told him, you know, ‘Don’t joke around. I’d seriously consider it if you’re serious.’”

Kubik passed the message on to Nowak, and McBride is now on his way to Beijing. He will head a squad of young, upcoming stars including new Villarreal signing Jozy Altidore, Benfica’s Freddy Adu, Heerenveen’s Michael Bradley, and Aston Villa-bound goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Over-23 players indicated with *

Goalkeepers: *Brad Guzan (Chivas USA/Aston Villa), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), *Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), *Brian McBride (out of contract), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

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