MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Pick Up Options On Veteran Players Brian McBride And C.J. Brown For 2010 Season

Published on November 25, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (November 25, 2009) - The Chicago Fire today announced that the club has picked up the options for defender C.J. Brown and forward Brian McBride. McBride, a Chicagoland native and international soccer star, joined the club in August of 2007 and helped lead the Fire to the Eastern Conference Final in both 2008 and 2009. In 2009, McBride was honored as the Fire MVP and earned the 2009 Budweiser Golden Boot award for his seven goals through the regular season. A "Fire Original", Brown has been a member of the club since its inaugural season in 1998, helping the team to five domestic championships through 12 seasons of play.

"We are pleased to have both Brian and C.J. back with the team for 2010," said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. "McBride is a force on the field and his experience is unmatched by many in MLS. He will play another invaluable role for us in 2010. C.J.'s contributions in 2009 were key in helping us to reach the Eastern Conference Championship Final this season. We need them both back on the pitch to help lead us toward a MLS Cup championship."

One of the most decorated players in United States soccer history, Chicagoland native, Brian McBride joined the Fire in August of 2008 after a successful four and a half seasons in Europe with Fulham FC where he made 154 career appearances and scored 40 goals and earning Player of the Year in 2006 and 2006. The St. Louis University product made an immediate impact for the Fire contributing five regular season goals and two assist through 11 games played in 2008, as well as tallying the Fire's lone goal in the 2-1 Eastern Conference Final loss at Columbus. McBride kicked off his first full season with the Fire with a bang as he scored six goals through the first 16 games of 2009 season, before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder for a labral tear in July. While the doctors anticipated a 3-4 month recovery time, the veteran returned to play just eight weeks later and immediately continued to contribute to the Fire attack with an assist on the club's match against Columbus on Sept. 20th and a game-tying goal on Sept. 26th against Toronto FC. Despite missing eight games due to his shoulder surgery, McBride scored seven goals in 22 games to capture the 2009 Chicago Fire Budweiser Golden Boot award, as well as earn 2009 Chicago Fire MVP honors for his contributions to the squad throughout the season. McBride began his MLS career in 1996 as the first overall pick in the league's inaugural draft, being selected by the Columbus Crew. McBride played eight season with Columbus recording 62 goals and 45 assists with the club before moving on to play oversees in 2003. McBride has appeared in three separate World Cups for the U.S. Men's National Team while earning 95 caps for the USA across all international competition. In 2008, McBride served as captain of the U.S. Olympic Team at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in China.

Brown, who will return to the club for his 13th season in 2010, has been a member of the Fire since its inaugural season in 1998, has played an integral part in all five of the Fire's domestic Cup titles (MLS Cup '98 and the 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups), three conference crowns, and helped the club earn the 2003 MLS Supporters Shield honor. Last season, Brown appeared in 18 regular season games while playing every minute in the team's postseason run to the 2009 Eastern Conference Final. Brown currently holds the club record for games (270) and minutes played (23,398).

The California Bay Area native has competed at the highest level for both club and country during his career having earned 15 caps with the U.S. Men's National Team from 1998-2003. The 2001 MLS All-Star selection has been an inspiration off the field as well, winning the 2001, 2002, and 2003 Fire/USSF Humanitarian of the Year awards for his efforts in the Chicagoland community.

While the team will open 2010 play on the road at Red Bull Arena on March 27, the Chicago Fire will host 2010 Opening Day at TOYOTA PARK on April 10, 2010 when they face the San Jose Earthquakes. To purchase tickets please call 1-888-MLS-Fire or visit www.chicago-fire.com.

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