Cheeky Chip

Trending Topics: Brian #McBrideFacts

Brian McBride, consistently praised for the effort he exuded on the pitch with the Columbus Crew, Everton FC, Fulham FC, the Chicago Fire, and of course the US Men’s National Team, announced he would retire from football at the end of the current MLS season. To put this into perspective for a non-US Soccer fan, Neil W. Blackmon (AFR Guest Contributor and Co-Founder of @yanksarecoming) wrote:

His specter haunts US strikers today, and his performances continue to be the high-water mark among American goal scorers. He did this without world-class talent, without blazing speed, without overwhelming physical strength. It was work-ethic and want-to. Perhaps that’s why even before South Africa one of the patented world views, fair or unfair, of the American football player was that, regardless of talent, they played the game with grit, with courage, and with a never-back-down attitude.

Indeed, no singular figure defined this image of what being an American player was all about than Brian McBride—he of the bloodied face, jersey always dirty, and pure leave-it-all-on-the-field guts. We’ll miss you Brian. We’ve already missed you. Thank you for always answering the bell. Best in your retirement.

The Twitter community also acknowledged McBride’s great impact with his respective clubs and country, creating a trending topic #McBrideFacts. They’re all ridiculous, and yet oh so respectful to the man who wore #20. Here are some of the best #McBrideFacts:

@futbolhooligan: Materazzi didn’t insult Zidane’s sister, he insulted McBride. #McBrideFacts
@usarsnl: Rafa Marquez refers to Brian McBride as “he-who-must-not-be-named.” #McBrideFacts
@adamsoucie: MLS’ pitch to Thierry Henry was 3 words: “McBride plays here.” He signed in 5 seconds flat. #McBrideFacts

@kevinmccauley: David Beckham is Goldenballs, but Brian McBride’s balls are made of diamond #McBrideFacts

@futbolhooligan: Wayne Bridge didn’t quit the English team because of Terry. He did it out fear of McBride coming out international retirement. #McBrideFacts
@adamsoucie: Brooklyn Beckham tells his parents that he wants to be like Brian McBride every day. #McBrideFacts

@nwb_USMNT: Every night before he goes to bed, Rafa Marquez checks under his bed for Brian McBride. #McBrideFacts
@yanksarecoming: If McBride ever headbutted Materazzi, Materazzi would be dead. #McBrideFacts

@ukchomper: If 2012 the movie actually happened, Brian McBride could save us all #McBrideFacts
@usofarsenal: Even FOX news thinks a brian mcbride mosque is ok at ground zero.

@juststringer: Brian McBride can make the Jabulani fly straight. #McBrideFacts
@nosnhojhcaz: Drogba goes to sleep at night thinking about what a disgrace it is to not be McBride.

@salsa_sports: In 2004, a Leeds United fan made fun of Brian McBride. Everyone knows what happened next. #McBrideFacts
@edge4l: When cops pull Brian McBride over, THEY try to talk THEIR way out of it. #McBrideFacts

@yanksarecoming: At his Mexican home, Rafa Marquez’s panic room is referred to as the “McBride Room.” #McBrideFacts

@yanksarecoming: The entire region of CONCACAF was going to be renamed MCBRIDECAF but Mexico threatened to leave the region out of fear. #McBrideFacts

@SobBolton: Every Brazilian child has a poster of Brian McBride on their wall. #McBrideFacts

@yanksarecoming: Clint Dempsey only scored against Juventus last year because Brian McBride dared the ball not to go in. #McBrideFacts
@ukchomper: If Brian McBride were a World Cup Team, Paul the Octopus would have picked him over and over again #McBrideFacts

@lsanchez06: Brian McBride knows all the answers to Lost #McBrideFacts

@edge4l: Brian McBride is the reason why Waldo is hiding. #McBrideFacts
@Edge4L: When Brian McBride looks at himself at a mirror, there is no reflection. There can only be one Brian McBride. #McBrideFacts

@bryceglarsen: Brian McBride doesn’t have to pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars - he always gets what he wants. #McBrideFacts

@wsrtrevor: Jurgen Klinsmann turned down the #USMNT because Brian McBride retired #McBrideFacts

@yanksarecoming: Brian McBride is constantly standing right behind Giuseppe Rossi. Waiting. #McBrideFacts

@bocafanboy: Brian McBride already saved our economy we just dont know it yet #McBridefacts

@kaneisamazing: Stuart Scott’s left eye is always looking out for Brian McBride #McBrideFacts

@lsanchez06: Brian McBride wears number 20 because Pele and Maradona combined = one Brian McBride #McBrideFacts

@juststringer: Paul McCartney really was dead. Brian McBride resurrected him before the album was released. #McBrideFacts

@wesforUSA: Brian McBride made Landon Donovan’s hairline recede #McBrideFacts

@KHCroce: Clash of the Titans is a Biographical account of Brian McBride’s life. #McBrideFacts

@afootballreport: Brian McBride doesn’t always drink, but when he does, he prefers to do so at places named after him #McBrideFacts http://twitpic.com/2mmpx6

@afootballreport: Brian McBride calls it football for a reason #McBrideFacts