If you haven't heard much on the Brian McBride front. it's because the folks at BMO Field aren't talking about it. Yesterday Carver admitted he was out of the McBride loop and suggested I talk to Mo Johnston about it.
I tried that last week, and Johnston -- rarely a straight talker anyway -- was at his cryptic, circumlocuting best. Then afterward he joked with me about how I wasn't any further ahead after our conversation than I had been before.
Thanks.
Luckily for us, the folks in Chicago are talking.
I just found this story today, but a couple days back the Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave reported that the Fire is still interested in McBride but that Johnston is asking for more than the Fire want to give.
Last night on GolTV's "Extra Time" Johnston moved the story ahead just a little when he revealed that the two teams have basically stopped talking and thinks the folks in Chicago spoke to the media hoping to jumpstart negotiations.
Two things to remember:
1. Transfer period doesn't begin until July 15, so there's LOTS of time for something to happen.
2. TFC doesn't have to do anything. As Johnston said last night, they can let McBride retire if Chicago doesn't offer TFC the player they want. They can also let the next team in the allocation queue take over McBride's rights, leaving TFC first in line for the next American to return from overseas.
Stay tuned.
-- Morgan Campbell
MLS Rumours is posting that a deal has been reached with Chicago. Anyway you can confirm this as the post quotes a 'reliable source'. I hate reading rumours, which is why I am turning to you, but I am hoping this one has some substance.
Posted by: John Dinner | June 19, 2008 at 05:58 PM
With regards to my previous comment, while I hope the rumour is true that something has been done and it is substantial, I really can't see Chicago wanting to make, or at least announce, a deal too long before McBride is available, which as I understand it is the 15th. Would they make a deal for a player a month before he is available? I hate MLS Rumours!!
Posted by: John Dinner | June 19, 2008 at 06:10 PM