|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Former Fulham striker
Brian McBride |
|
Even at 36, Brian McBride still is wanted in the Premier League.
McBride's former club, Fulham, attempted to acquire the Fire forward on loan before last Monday's transfer deadline.
According to Fire technical director Frank Klopas, the offer was turned down because it didn't make sense for the Fire.
"Our main goal is to win a championship," Klopas said. "Brian is an important part of that. It was important to have him here from the beginning. He came here late last season."
McBride scored 40 goals in 153 appearances for Fulham. He left the English club in late May so he could move back to his native Arlington Heights. He scored five goals in 11 games after signing with the Fire in August.
The Fire opens the regular season at FC Dallas on March 21. Klopas said McBride would have missed a few regular-season games if he was loaned to Fulham.
"It speaks volumes about the guy that they're still after him," Klopas said.
McBride would have been the fourth big name from MLS to get loaned during the off-season.
The Fire's Cuauhtemoc Blanco was loaned briefly to Mexico's Santos Laguna in November. The Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham and Landon Donovan are on loan with Italy's AC Milan and Germany's Bayern Munich, respectively.