No deal for McBride yet

So where is Brian McBride?

No, he can't play in Major League Soccer until July 15th anyway, but why hasn't a deal for his move to MLS, an presumably the Chicago Fire, not happened yet? The deal has stalled as negotiations between the Fire and Toronto FC, current holders of the allocation spot needed to sign McBride have hit a wall.

Chicago Fire technical director Frank Klopas was quoted by the Chicago Tribune about the Fire's trade talks with Toronto FC and stated that Toronto was trying to land multiple players in any deal for the McBride allocation slot.

"(Toronto) always wants more than one player," Klopas told the Tribune's Luis Arroyave. "That's difficult from our standpoint. We can't be releasing two or three guys to make this happen. It would hurt the team.

"It's not just one situation either. They always seem to change the deal around."

That's not quite how sources in Toronto see the trade talks going.

While Mo Johnston declined to comment on trade talks, a Toronto FC source told SBI that Toronto has asked for Justin Mapp or Wilman Conde in trade talks, with Chicago balking at both requests.

Is asking for Mapp or Conde an outrageous request for the chance to land a player of McBride's caliber? According to Klopas, Toronto's demands have been unreasonable. Klopas also suggested that Toronto should consider what McBride wants.

"Mo needs to understand it's about doing the right thing," Klopas told the Tribune. "Someone who has had a great career wants to finish in his hometown. He has to understand that."

While having McBride play for Chicago is an idea situation for McBride and MLS, Toronto is a conference rival and the league's rules have put Toronto in position to be compensated for McBride. It isn't out of line for Toronto to want to make Chicago, a conference rival, pay a high price to acquire a star forward who has shown that he can still play at a high level.

Is asking for Mapp or Conde, or some combination of other players, an unreasonable asking price for the chance to add McBride? Or is it unreasonable for Chicago to think it can land a player like McBride for the low cost of a reserve player or draft picks?

What remains to be seen is if and when MLS will step in to the situation. There is a perception that the league will get involved if things aren't rectified in timely fashion, but I think it is a bit presumptuous to assume that MLS will step in and side with one team over another. Perhaps in years past, when only a few owners were in MLS, the league could get away with writing the rules as they go along, but with Toronto and Chicago boasting relatively new MLS owners I'm not sure if the league will be in a hurry to snub one owner over the other.

The rules governing McBride's potential to return to MLS are flawed, of that there is little doubt, but they are the rules so if the Fire want McBride wearing a Fire uniform this season they are going to have to pay a good price, whether they like it or not.

What do you think of this situation? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Byron]

The rule is absurd and outdated. If a player wants to leave a team and sign with another, especially when he is no longer under contract no other team should be able to hold up the transaction. That being said, I don't want McBride playing for the Fire. I'd rather him playing for a weak team like Toronto.

[mikeK]

So let me get this straight. Chicago wants other teams to keep in mind the wishes of the player during negotiations?

I'm sorry, but wasn't Marmol in the Red Bull camp and wanting to play for the Red Bull during the contract saga?

They're reaping what they sowed.

[EdTheRed]

If Chicago isn't willing to trade Justin Mapp for the rights to McBride, they don't deserve to sign McBride.

[sublicon]

Ohh, looks like now Chicago wants it their way.

"Think about what McBride wants" . . two months ago, wasn't it "Think about what Conde wants" . . didn't work that time, why should it work now.

McBride should head back to Fulham and finish out another year!!!

[Graeme]

With Conde coming out of contract soon and not likely to re-sign with the Fire and at a six-figure salary, I doubt the Fire would say no to just that - my guess is that TFC is asking for a Conde/Mapp, a 2nd Tier [Herron/Carr etc.] and draft picks to get the allocation because that sounds more like Mo [because Klopas has also been quoted as saying that McBride isn't looking for DP $$].

Besides, both of these little quotes from the sources are just media positioning to put on pressure. We all know that [I hope].

[bgnewf]

Spare me Chicago!

You don't want to give up anything of value to get McBride yet you try and say that it is TFC's fault that McBride is not playing in Chicago?

With due respect Fire fans, your GM cries like a little baby.

If you want McBride come and get him. Just be prepared to pay the price. Why should TFC let you take advantage of them just because McBride wants to finish his career with the Fire? We want to win just as much as you do and considering how you have treated some of your own players this season(re: NYRB saga) this line of reasoning is pretty rich.

[brett]

sublicon- conde is completely different as he is and was under contract....

McBride is more along the lines of Marmol's situation... except, BMB doesnt HAVE to play.... if he doesnt get the trip to chicago, he'll retire and the league will be out a local hero.... quite simply that....

is mapp and conde outrageous?? yes and no... Mapp is young and talented...and will be in the legue for MANY years.... McBride can make th difference now but will only be around for a season and a half (barring injury on both).....

the fire have pointed out that Mapp and Rolfe are franchise players.... so they may be players who are seen as "outrageous"..

[Matt]

Hold out, TFC! You know it's the right thing to do.

[shelbo]

I've been irked all along by the "Chicago gets McBride" idea. If they're going to get him, and load up an already potent attack, they should be made to pay the price. The line about "doing the right thing" is classic - do the right thing, and hand Chicago the Cup! I love Brian, but just because he's a respected player shouldn't mean he automatically gets to play where he wants, without the team being made to pay a fair price. Either Mapp or Conde seems like a pretty good deal after the year McBride had at Fulham.

[brett]

plus i highly doubt its just Mapp and Conde... it probably includes a number of low level drafts, $$$ and allocation... quite simply we have 2 people contradicting each other....they both see it their way....

[Hincha Tim]

What you have to remember is Toronto is going to give up their allocation slot which they could use to sign a signficant player. They go to the bottom of the heap after they trade it to Chicago, so they're going to want a player for it that justifies them giving up the slot.

[Andrew Karl]

"Mo needs to understand it's about doing the right thing," Klopas told the Tribune. "Someone who has had a great career wants to finish in his hometown. He has to understand that."

oh the hypocrisy. Klopas needs to understand that this isn't a fairy tale, it's a business. The right thing? What a joke! If the tables were turned and Chicago was in posession of a world class target forward that they didn't need but Toronto wanted, they'd be squeezing every last dime/player they could out of Mo.
If Klopas thinks that he can acquire a player like McBride by giving up no more than one of his better starters, he's insane. Either Klopas gives up the players he has to to get McBride and 'hurts the team' or he keeps the team he has together, forgets about McBride, and strolls into the Eastern Conf. championship game. The sooner he realizes that he can't have his way, that he can't have his cake and eat it too the sooner this issue will be resolved.

[TCompton]

Toronto holds the cards. If Chicago wants McBride, then they'll have to pay. Otherwise, McBride doesn't play in MLS this season. I'm fine with both situations.

[J]

Karma...I love it...per Klopas back in April dealing with the Marmol Redbull situation:

"Unless they're willing to give up one of the two players we want, it's not going to happen," Klopas said. "It has to be a situation where it helps the team and makes us better. Jeff Agoos called me and made an offer, but what they offered would not help the team."

Classic

[Skinn]

Too damn bad for Klopas; and I'm sure whining to the press will help in negotiations. I don't think--as Brett has most vocally and repeatedly stated here--that the Fire do have the upper hand in negotiations, and Klopas's outburst is a sign of his frustration in realizing that. The allocation rule is fairly ridiculous, but it is what it is.

I really don't see TFC wanting multiple players in return (as both Klopas and Graeme suggest) unless they're also wanting to send somebody to Chicago (perhaps Cunningham or Dunivant). They certainly would have no use for Herron. Toronto does have one more international slot, but no more room on the senior roster, so I don't see them bringing in a bunch of active players. I see one player (Mapp or Conde), allocation money, and draft picks.

And Byron, if TFC were to somehow convince McBride to play for them, they go from playoff team (not weak team) to in the conversation for the MLS Cup. Work with their current roster and form, not your impressions for last year. Sure, they've been bad on the road, but their unbeaten at home. When the team starts to gel and get their fitness, they'll be competitive on the road. Hell, right now they're third in the league on points.

[Doug Swan]

The rule is absurd and outdated. If a player wants to leave a team and sign with another, especially when he is no longer under contract no other team should be able to hold up the transaction. That being said, I don't want McBride playing for the Fire. I'd rather him playing for a weak team like Toronto.

Huh?!? Exclaimed Doug as he took a quick glance at the standings..... Toronto? Weak team? Hmmmmmm. You must be talking about that OTHER Toronto, right?

I DO agree, however, that it's time for the MLS to let loose of the reins. Put a salary cap on each team, let them sign who they want (as long as there's no contract in place) and start letting the players move freely as they become free agents (is that even a word in the MLS?).

[Mike]

Silly rule, I hope McBride and his family gets fed up and decides that another year at Fulham would be a better option. Maybe the MLS would realize that it is a silly rule.

[firefan06]

I find it hard to believe they're asking for ONLY Conde, especially when Klopas pointed out TFC is asking for more than one player.

However, if TFC is asking for only Conde, I say send Conde to Toronto and be done with it.

[PMC]

I wonder what Klopas thinks is fair for McBride. That wasn't in the Tribune article nor from Ives Toronto source.

[PMC]

I wonder what Klopas thinks is fair for McBride. That wasn't in the Tribune article nor from Ives Toronto source.

[Eric Anderson]

The tricky thing here for Toronto is that if they don't agree to a trade, they get nothing if McBride refuses to play there. It's not like the Conde or Marmol situations because Chicago got to at least keep that player if they didn't trade them. Toronto's options are either to take whatever player(s) the Fire offer them and allow Chicago to get McBride, or to allow the Fire to keep their team intact and get nothing for themself. This is a scenario that could be a win-win for both sides involved, but unlike Chicago, I don't think Toronto can afford to not strengthen their team. I think the Fire can compete for the MLS Cup without this deal going through, but I don't think Toronto an without improving their team somewhere. This is one opportunity for them to do so.

[Danny]

When hasn't MLS stepped in when it comes to star players? Eddie Johnson, Carlos Ruiz, Landon Donovan, etc. MLS needs to step in if something isn't in place by July 1 to make sure McBride gets to finish in MLS and in Chicago. McBride has more than earned his spot and has done enough for MLS to make his request happen. Screw TFC. Brian McBride is bigger than them.

[krelmatrix]

@ Eric - if no deal is made, Toronto still holds on to the top allocation spot, which can still be pretty useful (even if not so much as Conde or Marmol in the previous Chicago dramas).

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

Does McBride still want to play in the Olympics?

If So, this is backburnered anyway, since I would guess he would make signing conditional on being released for the Games.

[Graeme]

For the record, as a Fire supporter I've never wanted McBride to come in & my personal hope is that the squabbling leads to a negotiation breakdown. In the end, though, this story really is about the absurdity of the league rules. It was a good idea to have them in place when AEG owned most the league 10 years ago, but now with almost all individual owners, the contract control needs to move to the teams and away from MLS.

[Adam M.]

Problems like this make the MLS hard to take seriously. The notion that a player with no MLS contract can be restricted from joining any MLS team he pleases is silly. Meanwhile, this comes the same day we hear that the Galaxy offered huge sums for Ronaldinho, a transaction by all obvious indications the Galaxy could not make since they already have their DP slots filled. This league has broken "rules" in the past and it will again until they take the reigns off the owners. McBride should be playing for Chicago the moment he is eligible, and Toronto should take something fair and wait for the next time. The best thing for every single team is to have any many solid, happy players in MLS as possible.

[kpugs]

News flash to Fire: there are far more positives than negatives involved in this deal. Don't let it slip through your fingers.

Offer up Conde and Barrett. Does Conde even play? And Barrett will be surplus to requirements anyway, plus he sucks. Done deal.

[Skinn]

Perhaps, Eric, but there are too things to keep in mind. If Toronto does trade McBride to the Fire, the are potentially strengthing a conference rival. Why shouldn't they hold the allocation for a high price? You're right though, this is an opportunity to srengthen, but if the package Chicago offers doesn't actually improve the club, why do it. Carr, Herron, and whoever else other than Mapp, Conde, or Barrett, isn't an upgrade over the players they currently have.

Also, this isn't Toronto's ONE opportunity to improve. Far from it. They still have an open international slot and their DP slot. Mo will be quite active when the window opens. Now Klopas, on the other hand, seems to be intractable in all dealings with other clubs. I don't see too many other teams wanting to do much business with him in the near future.

It's not a tricky situation at all for Toronto. They'll only take what they see as fair value, and if not, they'll take nothing. It's pretty simple.

[Al17]

You guys trip me out bigtime. The deal will happen end discussion. TFC will magically benefit from it at a later time and date. Frank's comments are nothing more that public posturing, I'm sure Mo laughed when he read it. Do you think someone in negotiations would say something so stupid to the public media? (Rolls eyes and shakes his head) You guys really need to learn how to read between the lines and lighten up.

Oh,
those of you screaming how we, i.e. Fire, now want it our way, puhlease!!! MetroStars/RBNY has benefited from more breaks by the MLS than damn nearly every team combined not including the Galaxy.

[Chex85]

As the July 15 deadline nears the pressure on Toronto will only increase. WIth that being said, the package Toronto will get will only decrease as this drags on. Chicago can compete without McBride & as others have mentioned Toronto will end up with nothing if McBride does not play in the MLS since he has shown no interest in playing for Toronto. A "fair" deal will be reached with Conde & either a draft pick or reserve player going to Toronto. Toronto is going to receive scrunity one way or another but it will be far greater if they do not allow McBride to play in Chicago.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Eric-
We dont care whether McBride plays or not, hes an hero to you guys, not us, Mo and our team knows this as a result im sure we wont settle for less.

As for Danny, that is a ridiculous claim, one that if followed on a regular basis for all returning players would ruin the league and turn the sport on this side of the world into a joke. Those days are done.

Im glad to see that the majority of people support the idea of (what most TFC fans consider) a fair trade. As mentioned by someone else there are alot of elements to take into consideration from both sides, the most important on TFCs side being the fact that we dont have any more senior roster spots left. There are rumors of a DP striker being signed and in doing so at least one player will be shifted.

Im in agreeance with the idea that a player (conde or mapp)+ draft+ money would be a good trade but obviously would be surprised if it was Player (conde+whoever) + draft+ money. We'd trade Conde to NY for Altidore money and either trade or keep the extra player (IF we got them). Condes keeping the bench warm and only wants to play under Osario and as for Mapp, its alwayas good to have a nice winger or at least fodder for further trades...

[Skinn]

@Danny. I assume you mean that MLS should step in a dictate terms favorable to Chicago? What if they ordered the Fire to give into TFC's demands? Somehow I don't see this satisfying you. The inverse of your argument would be just as valid: Screw the fire; Brian McBride is bigger than them.

[Felix]

First off, let me preface this by saying that I'm a Fire fan. Now, these allocation rules are very stupid. Of that there is no doubt. However, they are the rules in place. I don't think TFC is out of line for asking for Mapp or Conde, if I was them, I'd do the same thing. If I was the Fire, I'd definitely trade Conde, his unhappiness with the Fire is well-known, and it was only a matter of time before he left anyway, plus we do have a surplus of defenders at the moment, so we can afford for him to leave. I'm sure alot of this is Klopas negotiating through the media. If he can get McBride without giving up Conde or Mapp, he's going to. He's just trying to get McBride without giving up to much.

[Dominghosa]

For the MLS, rules likes this are not achaic. They are in place to hinder MLS becoming like the EPL, where only four teams are able to land the talent because of money.
The MLS is still in its teen years and those rules will stay. It keeps the league to be competitive. There is no regulation-promotion system to keep even the bottom teams' seasons exciting.
TFC should be compensated for McBride. End of story.
And no matter how much drama there is before July 15, this deal will happen.
Count on it.

[Chex85]

Tornoto fans need to wake up and realize this isn't Brian McBride in his prime. He is going to play 1-2 more seasons after this one. If you think you are going to get one of the Fire's top young players to basically rent McBride for 2 years you are crazy. Conde makes the most sense because he will be playing in either Mexico, South America or Europe in the future. He probably won't be in the league in 2 years. If Mo Johnston thinks he is sitting on a gold mine with holding the McBride allocation he's nuts. As has been mentioned, Mcbride is not making or breaking the FIre's season.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Chex-
We dont care that hes not in his prime! We do care that you want him and as a result we are going to squeeze every last drop out of you, just like you would us or any other team if you had a player we wanted (that was past their prime or otherwise). Its called business! if you dont want him step away from the table and let someone else take your place, otherwise quit your crying Klopas and get on with it.

I do agree the rule is nonsense but alas its in place so play ball. Im sure in the future we will find ourselves in a similar situation (provided the rule is still in place)

[Skinn]

Thanks for you concern Chex, but we're well aware of who McBride is, and while he may be a bit long in the tooth, he is still a player who could compete in the Premiership. If you think Mo will give him up for next to nothing, then you're nuts. He's either valuable or he isn't.

If Klopas has identified him as valuable enough to add for the squad, then he should make a fair deal in football terms. If McBride's not really that valuable, then let it go. But if Klopas wants to bring in a player for sentimental reasons (or hold on to one for revenge), then he's not really operating with the best interest of the Fire in mind, is he?

[Amit]

Everyone makes it seem as if TFC can't aquire a player with the allocation that will strengthen the team. This is Mo Johnston we're talking about. He's swung alot of deals thanks to his foreign contacts. Look at Robert, Rickets, Dichio, etc. They may not be superstars but they work hard and do their jobs competently.

[CD]

Hey Brian McBride this might of went down a little smoother if you didn't use your brother as your agent. In the future arrange future employment before putting your notice in. Reyna managed to get $2 Million out of the MLS you could of done a lot better than that.

[CD]

And I wouldn't take this PR crap from these clubs too seriously. They are just blowing a bunch of smoke. It is good to see this happening in a competitive club vs club manner instead of some under the table league move. This is how real sports leagues in this area of the world operate.

[Andrew]

Do the Fire really NEED McBride?

[Sinter]

HAHAHAHAHA screw Chicago. Damn hypocrites.

[Kevin]

Controversy. I love it.

[Dominghosa]

In other news, BB calls up D. Moor. What a joke.

[alex]

Some people are missing the point. The real problem here is the rules.

It makes absolutely no sense to have these stupid things like this allocation, discovery, etc...

All they do is act as a road block to keeping the talent in the league. When it comes down to it, if MLS would rather have more talent as opposed to some wierd system they call "fair", they should be scrapping this garbage.

[Phillip]

The rule is dumb...

However, Chicago pulled the same thing with two players the Red Bulls wanted this winter.

I think the allocation crap needs to go completely. There is no reason for this league to force players to play for a team they don't want to.

[Garrett]

I sure hope the Galaxy swoop in and land McBride... I am a 'Quakes fan, but would love to see the Galactico's have one more top-notch player to add to the books.

Chicago always seems to complain and have too much pride when dealing with xfers. They should've let Conde go for a fair price like most European clubs would.

If the MLS steps in and straight-arms McBride to Chicago (a la Donovan) then I'll turn my rapid distate for the NYRBs/Dynamo onto the Fire.

Please don't alienate the best fan-base in the MLS.

No Mapp or Rolfe... but Conde + starter + allocation $'s will get the job done.

[Hincha Tim]

You guys don't get it from Toronto's point of view. They don't want McBride. So to them the equation is this: what is a foreign allocation slot worth? If they have their eye on a potential DP or other foreign player that other teams would want, they are not going to be able to get that player if they give Chicago their allocation slot, so the player they get is going to have to replace that foreign player they would have used their allocation for.

[Henry]

this allocation,discovery etc. rules are ridiculous

Teams should be allowed to sign who they want. As long as they meet the cap.

Parity is a good thing but some of these rules are absurd especially when it comes to players who are out of contract or when some stupid discovery claim is made so that another team can sign someone. ie Marmol

[mike]

Ives,

You're ridiculous for positioning this question as you did. You cover RBNY, attract a lot of people from the tristate region, yet wonder what they'll think when it comes to Chicago.

Look Chicago always gets screwed in these deals, and McBride will never play for Toronto. They have all the time in the world to sign the guy. He'll have his hands full with the Olympics anyway. MLS should just banish the rule right now, b/c it makes absolutely no sense to have it, provides an advantage arbitrarily, and makes the league look like a bush league once again. Toronto has no claim on McBride other than some stupid rule someone thought would be good for parity.

I wouldn't be surprised to see McBride just take this year off. Plus Conde is gone after this year so why would Toronto want him anyway.