Barrett will be shipped to Toronto in McBride deal
All signs point to a long-awaited homecoming for former U.S. national team star Brian McBride, but the Fire isn't expected to announce it has landed the Arlington Heights native until at least Monday.
Fire and Major League Soccer officials confirmed Friday that the deal between the Fire and Toronto FC for the rights to McBride has not been finalized, contrary to Internet reports and statements by MLS commissioner Don Garber during Thursday night's All-Star Game.
(AP file)
Garber said during halftime of the game on ESPN that an official announcement welcoming McBride to the league would be made Friday.
''It's taken us awhile to come up with a resolution that's fair,'' Garber said. ''But that resolution is complete.''
No such announcement was made, however, leading some to believe Garber jumped the gun on the prime-time announcement without all the pieces firmly in place.
''Maybe he was a little excited about it because he knows we've had talks about Brian for two months, and everyone knows what a player like that brings to the league,'' Fire technical director Frank Klopas said. ''We're close, but the deal has not been finalized, and there are a few things left to do.''
McBride's brother and agent, Chicago attorney Matthew McBride, confirmed that McBride hasn't signed a contract with the league, postponing a process that has taken nearly two months since McBride left Fulham of the English Premier League in late May. MLS rules state that a player must sign a contract with the league before signing with a specific team.
''We've had a lot of hurdles to clear since we started this, and we're at the last hurdle,'' Matthew McBride said. ''We're just glad that it's moving in the right direction.''
Although the trade hasn't been officially announced, the Fire will part ways with fourth-year forward Chad Barrett in the deal.
Barrett, 23, leads the team with five goals this season but hasn't scored in his last six league games and has been an erratic offensive threat since joining the Fire out of UCLA in 2005. He didn't practice with the team Friday.
The Fire also likely will give up a 2009 first-round draft pick and allocation money.
''Chad and I came into the league together, so it's going to be tough,'' forward Chris Rolfe said. ''But I guess that's just part of the business.''
McBride will compete with the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing and likely won't make his Fire debut until at least mid-August. If the U.S. team fails to advance past the group stage, McBride potentially could suit up for the Fire on Aug. 16 against D.C. United at Toyota Park.
''You won't have to worry about him being in shape,'' said Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch, a teammate of McBride's in Columbus. ''It's a great addition to our team.''
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