Columbus Crew Honor Brian McBride With Circle of Honor, Legos

The Columbus Crew inducted U.S. National Team forward Brian McBride into their "Circle of Honor" at a halftime ceremony during last Saturday's match against the San Jose Earthquakes.

McBride was the first pick in the inaugural Major League Soccer draft and played eight seasons, and scoring 62 goals, for the yellow and black before moving to the English Premier League and playing for Fulham in 2004.

When McBride return to MLS he signed with the Chicago Fire, retiring from the national team in 2006 (although featuring for the 2008 Olympic team) and professional soccer in 2010. McBride is a legend who's bloodied face from a 2006 World Cup has become an iconic image of American stick-to-itiv-ness (yup, that's a new word).

From the Columbus Crew:

"Induction represents the highest club honor and is reserved for only its most iconic figures, whose contributions and accomplishments will be recognized with a permanent presence on the west facade within the stadium. McBride will be joined on the field by his wife and daughters, and several of his former teammates."

McBride's permanent place at Crew Stadium must certainly rival the honor that his English club gave him, renaming Craven Cottage's in-stadium sports bar "McBride's". But nothing could compare the the other tribute the Crew paid to McBride outside the MLS's first soccer specific park; being enshrined in Legos. A honor just a little bit cooler than the tribute song, "You'll Always Want McBride On Your Side" that we wrote last year.


"Leggo!"

You could say McBride was a building block of the Crew...

An honor that even Lionel Messi would be crazy jealous of.
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Brian McBride Tribute in Chicago - October 9th

We've already penned quite a little ditty in honor of retiring Fire forward Brian McBride, but we are upping the ante for the former USMNTer.

During the National Team friendly against Poland on October 9th, along with the American Outlaws and the great American soccer publication The Shin Guardian, we're organizing a tribute for the tailsman in his professional team's backyard, Chicago.

Prairie Rose's handiwork. Also, the TSG shirt.

If you're heading to Chicago (like us!) for this match join us in giving thanks to a real American soccer legend.

What can you do?

- Print off one the awesome signs made by FBM designer, and all-around good guy, Eric (at the top of this post)

- Make your own banner! (Like Prairie Rose [@Hoover_Dam] did!

- Get the Brian McBride "Unbreakable" shirt from The Shin Guardian guys.

- Learn the words to "You'll Always Want McBride on Your Side" written by the FBM and join us in song during the match.

- Lastly, and probably the coolest, paint your face in the style of McBride's iconic 2006 World Cup wound.

The FBM, AO, and TSG want McBride to have the proper send off he never got from the 2008 Olympic disaster. Rumor has it he will be at the game so grab your finger paints and get to work people!

We've got a legend to honor!



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"You'll Always Want McBride On Your Side"

McBride shed more "red" for the red, white, and blue than anyone else.

On September 3rd, 2010 Chicago Fire forward and former U.S. National Team player Brian McBride announced his retirement from professional soccer, effective at the end of the current season.

McBride, he of the amazing diving goal of the 2002 World Cup, he of bloody sacrifice during the 2006 World Cup, he of 30 goals in 96 appearances for the USMNT (including the first American to score in two different Cups). A career that spanned two stints in Major League Soccer (the Crew from '96-'04 and the Fire ('08-'10) and becoming club captain for Fulham (they even changed the sports bar at their stadium to "McBride's" and paving the way for other Americans at the club and in England.

No one embodies more of the American soccer spirit that McBride. He will be missed.

In honor of Mr. Brian McBride we at the Free Beer Movement wrote a little ditty for him.

Enjoy.

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Words modified from Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from "Life of Brian".

YouTube of the film's ending.

Sung to the same tune.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Singularly Spoken by Someone)

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When the defense is thick as thistle
From the very kick off whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...you'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)
You'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)

(All together now)

If your courage seems jolly rotten
Scoring something you've forgotten
And that's to pass and shoot and rebound and celebrate.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just play Brian McBride and you've got a goal, mate.

And...you'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)
You'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)

For the game is quite absurd
Score at the death's for the final word
Brian McBride it's time to take a bow.
Thanks for the scoring binge - it gave the audience grins
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side retirement
(whistle tune)
Just before you play your last min-et.
(whistle tune)

When your other forward's a piece of shit
From the very first kick
McBride's the man with a scoring touch, so true.
Number 20 will put on a show
Keep 'em cheering as we go
Just remember that the last laugh for you.

And...you'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)
You'll always want McBride on your side..
(whistle tune)

And...you'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)
You'll always want McBride on your side..
(whistle tune)

And...you'll always want McBride on your side...
(whistle tune)
You'll always want McBride on your side..
(whistle tune)

Fade Out.

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