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| | Monday, June 18 Chat wrap: Brian McBride | |||||
McBride talked about Saturday's 0-0 tie against Jamaica and previewed the Trinidad & Tobago qualifier on Wed., June 20, at Foxboro Stadium (ESPN2, 7:30 ET). McBride returns to the national team following a bout with the injury bug. He has played 47 times for his country and has scored 14 times. He last played for the national team in February when he unfortunately had to leave early in the first half of the U.S. World Cup qualifier against Mexico on his home field in Columbus. An inadvertent head of a Mexican defender caught McBride in the right eye which was badly bruised and closed shut. The U.S. still won 2-0. Team USA is currently atop the standings after three games of World Cup qualifying with the maximum of nine points. McBride has had a busy year in soccer, with a stint in England playing 10 games during his loan from the Columbus Crew (MLS) to Preston North End in England's first division. However, a bizarre injury limited McBride?s time with Preston. In his debut match for the North Enders, he suffered a blow to his right arm. While he played with the injury for two more games, the bruised area eventually developed a blood clot which needed to be surgically removed. The blood clot continued a string of bad luck for the 28-year-old with regard to injuries. He missed eight games over six weeks in the middle of the 2000 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right cheekbone suffered in a June 17 match at Colorado. Still, he still finished fourth on the team in scoring with 17 points on six goals and five assists in 18 games. Since returning from England, McBride has played in seven games for the Crew in 2001 and has one goal and two assists. The Crew is currently 2-4-4 with 10 points so far this season. Below is a transcript from McBride's June 18 chat:  Brian McBride: Good evening everyone. Thanks for being here. I am ready for your questions so let's get going.
Dillon(Albany): How do you feel about getting the draw in Jamaica? How did you think you played in that game? Will your game against Trinidad and Tobago be a easy one like the last time you beat them 7-0? Brian McBride: I felt the result was good for us. We would have loved to get three points. Our main goal was to at least get one point.
I felt I didn't play very well. I didn't really get into the flow and would have liked my first game back to be a little better. But that is how is goes sometimes. Shannon (Chicago): How surprised were you when Donovan Ricketts saved your shot in the first half? Could you have placed it any better? Brian McBride: I was pretty surprised. The placement was where I wanted it but I could have hit it with more pace. He made a great save and had a great game.
cac (Washington DC): How much did the intense heat on Saturday in Kingston affect your play? Brian McBride: The heat affects us in that we can't press the other team from the get-go. That heat makes it hard. It hurt me because I couldn't really get into the flow of the game and it wears on you.
Joe, PA: How difficult will it be to keep the National Team focused for the T&T game this week? Our great start and T&T's problems might make us take them too lightly. Brian McBride: We really shouldn't have trouble getting up for this game. Every qualifier has its own meaning. It's early in the qualifying process, even though we have a little cushion. It won't be difficult to get up for this game. T&T needs a win and they will come out firing.
Terry: What do you expect of the game against Mexico? Do you think it's going to be tough? Brian McBride: I definitely think it will be a tough game. We will be their first home game they will have after having their 52-game win streak snapped on Saturday. The heat, altitude and stadium will be tough but that is the risk of a road game. We look forward to it.
The Mexican team seems like a team in transition with some new players and trying to figure out who will play where. They will get it sorted out and they know their backs are against the wall. Santa Ana Chris: Brian, will the U.S. Nats be prepared for the altitude and smog in Mexico City? How will they prepare for this? Good Luck on Wednesday, i'll be watching from Cali! Brian McBride: The way we trained for Jamacia was just right. We were in the intense heat in Florida and that really helped. But you can't really prepare for that type of game, but we will be ready.
Jake (Hunington,WV): Was the experiene of playing in the first division of the English League everything you thought it would be? Brian McBride: It was and more. They play at a very high pace. It is not a lot of technical soccer but more tactical. Everything was at a higher speed. I came right from the national team and that prepared me so the transition wasn't difficult.
Ian Quillen,Salisbury MD: What is the best overall atmosphere you've played in at a home USA match? Brian McBride: That is tough. Recently we have had some great crowds -- the Guatamala and Mexico games were the two that come to mind.
Michelle (Philadelphia): With the string of injuries it would be hard not to get discouraged. How do you keep your hard work ethic and what do you do to get back to 100%? Brian McBride: I am still not 100% tactically and speed of foot. But I just tried to stay upbeat and deal with what is put in front of you.
mount laurel: How do you feel the U.S. squad can play on the pitch with the other national powers like France (obvious favorite), Germany, and Brazil in the World Cup games? Brian McBride: I think that is one of the biggest strides we have made. We are comfortable playing our style of soccer. We adapt well and try not to be influenced by other teams. It is hard to predict but we just try to be competitive in every game and give ourselves a chance to win. You may not be the best team, but you want to remain competitive.
erin (chicago): When Bruce Arena stated at a recent press conference that the team has learned to adjust to Moore's and your playing style, exactly what is that style and is it an offensive threat? Brian McBride: I think what he is refering to is the difference between Joe and I and Josh and Clint. The difference is that Josh and Clint can strike the ball from outside and can score on their own. Joe and I are more involved in team build up and once in a while we can break away and score on our own. But Joe and I are more into the team build up to score out goals. But I think I can get better taking people on one on one
Brock (California): I like your hustle up front and your ability to get to balls in the box. What do you think about all of the youngsters in the MLS that are being brought up to the national team? Thank you. Brian McBride: I think it is great. Anytime you can add to our team in a positive way, you can't ask for more. It makes it more competitive and pushes all the players.
Monica, Cincinnati: Brian, What are the keys to a resurgence for the Crew for the remainder of the MLS season? Brian McBride: I think we need to be able to put a string of games together. We have the talent but we haven't been consistent. To be a good team, you have to be able to put games together.
Kristen, NJ: Brian, what or who do you think accounts for the recent success of the men's U.S. squad? Brian McBride: I think we have added a lot of depth to the team. Bruce's influence has had its effect throughout. We are going into games believeing in ourselves and that makes a big difference.
Shawn (OKC): How much longer can you see yourself playing for the national team? Brian McBride: I hope for a long while and at least through the next World Cup. It will depend on our success getting there and how we do if we get there. Everytime you get called in, it is an honor and hope I get that honor for awhile.
Kiki (Gahanna): What will it be like facing your fellow Crew teammate, Ansil Elcock, when you play Trinidad and Tobago? Brian McBride: It will be fun. We have joked about it for awhile. It is a game that we have to win and want to win. We will leave our friendships in the lockerroom and be friends afterwards.
Shane(Northborough,MA): If you had to choose, would you have up front with you? Brian McBride: I think the good thing about that question is the coach gets to answer it. But we have a lot of choices these days and I am just happy to play. I will play with whoever they put up there so far. I have enjoyed everyone I have played with.
That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the great questions and I hope everyone will be watching us on Wednesday,
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