Brian McBride, the barely American...

Brian McBride, the barely American player to score in couple different World Cups, is retiring from international soccer

McBride, 34 who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League, is the second-leading scorer in U national-team history with 30 goals in 95 games.

The three-time World goblet veteran has the second-most appearances for the U in World cupful matches with 10, starting all five games in 2002 and scoring single in kind goal each against Portugal and Mexico. He had the merely U.S. goal in 1998.

"This is a special day in that I have the opportunity to thank U Soccer for all it has done for me and my family," McBride said. "The consistent and determined efforts of the coaches, staff and players at U Soccer have helped bles me with the honor of being a part of three World portions playing the game I love"

McBride, a native of Arlington Heights and a former prep All- American at Buffalo wood High School and collegiate All-American at St Louis University, was the tournament MVP and leading scorer with four goals in the 2002 CONCACAF Gold goblet

He l Fulham last season with 10 goals and was the all-time leading scorer for the Columbus set of Major League Soccer with 50 goals in 137 games before moving to Fulham in 2004

"It was an honor to have a player like Brian McBride at the core of the national team during my tenure" former U coach Bruce Arena said. "With his goal scoring, ability in the air and intelligence upon both sides of the ball, he is sincerely a player with qualities unlike any other player to wear the national team uniform."

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