Adieu, Mon Amour

By: timmyg | May 28th, 2008

It was a tragic inevitability that he would leave us. As Tom Wille predicted in the podcast from several weeks back, Brian McBride would not be a White if they survived. Well, McBride guided the club to safety and has decided to hang up his English boots.

A player that was more Fulham than the Cottage itself, McBride represented everything that was good about Fulham, soccer, and humanity and general. He was never a showboat, never a ham, never one to criticize his coach or teammates when things got rough. FourFourTwo magazine recently did a “Best 100 Foreign Players in the EPL,” and Brian McBride was omitted from the list. Now, he has to be at least an honorable mention.

I was first introduced to him at the ‘06 World Cup, when his nose was smashed and erupted into blood. Later that summer, while selecting a club, his presence on the squad was a major benefactor in choosing Fulham.

And from that moment he never ceased to disappoint. In 2006-07 he led the team with 12 goals, one of which I was fortunate to witness at the Cottage against Charlton. There was such high expectations heading into last season, being the first American to captain an English club. But injury struck and he wouldn’t return until February — luckily when we needed him most.

Brian netted just three goals since he returned, but each goal rendered a victory. McGod as we called him, lived up to the title.

But now, sadly, we must bid farewell to a Fulham legend. Its heartbreaking, but was destined. Hopefully he finds his scoring boost in MLS and retires not just a Fulham or USMNT legend, but world footballing legend.

Good bye, Brian.

From the Offal:

“After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Club, the Chairman, the staff and wonderful fans for all their support, on and off the pitch, during my time at Fulham. I take great pride in the fact that my last appearance for Fulham saw the Club maintain its Premier League status. I leave with some wonderful memories from my time at Fulham and the Club will always be in my heart.”

A photo tribute, also from the offal.