Chicago and Toronto strike deal for McBride Allocation

The lengthy battle between the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC for Brian McBride's rights is over.

MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed at halftime of the MLS All-Star Game that the matter had been resolved between Toronto and Chicago, though no details of a deal were revealed. A source with knowledge of the trade discussions told SBI late on Thursday night that a deal has been agreed to, though details of the trade were unavailable.

The Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave is reporting that the framework for a deal is in place, but it has not been agreed to yet.

One potential deal I heard of on Wednesday involved Toronto getting a package including Chad Barrett and either a draft pick or allocation. Toronto had been interested in Justin Mapp and Chris Rolfe, but the club's desperate need for forward help may force Mo Johnston to accept a deal involving Barrett. I haven't received confirmation on that being the deal, but I have heard that it was an offer that was being discussed.

As for speculation that MLS forced a trade to happen, I have not heard anything suggesting that MLS stepped in to broker a deal.

McBride is currently with the U.S. Olympic Team, which will depart for Hong Kong on Friday for a pair of Olympic tune-up matches against Ivory Coast and Cameroon. McBride could join the Chicago Fire between mid to late August, depending on how far the United States advances in the Olympics. The Americans open Olympic play on Aug. 7 against Japan.

What do you think about McBride joining the Fire? Do you think Chad Barrett could be the answer to Toronto's problems at striker? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[SoccerMan]

FINALLY!

[Dannyc58]

My God Chad Barrett stinks. What a deal for Chicago if true.

[Front Row]

Please let it be Chad!!!!!!!!!!!! It could only help the Fire!

[John]

ughh Barrett is $hite but I'll take him over Cunningham any day. I honestly love what I've seen from the 16 year old Ibrahim although he's heading off with the American U20's leaving nobody up front.

[Brad]

Really too bad for Toronto, because I think they would have liked to sign McBride. They certainly could use him. But he's earned the right to play where he wants, and Toronto got the shaft on that deal.

[Curtis Spiteri]

Chad and a pick for Brian?

DONE DEAL BABY!!!!!

I hope that's how it falls out.
:D

[Victor]

If that is the case then thats awesome for the Fire, but maybe Mo could help turn Barrett into a really good striker, even though you have one in the 16 yr old. I can't wait to see Blanco serving to Mcbride and seeing him in the Red. Just wondering Ives, do you think the MLS forced Toronto into accepting a deal for Barrett because like you said they wanted, Mapp or Rolfe. So have you heard anything or like you said did Mo want that striker.

[Kenobi]

Wow. If John Carver has a problem with Cunningham leaving a sitter on the goal line, wait until Barrett skies his first 2 or 3 shots over the bar from inside the 6. This should be fun.

[kpugs]

I said Chicago should offer up Barrett from the beginning. He's terrible. Loss of an allocation would hurt, but not as much as Toronto is getting hurt by having to take Barrett.

[Victor]

Brad, Toronto may have wanted to sign him, but there was no way he was going to Toronto. It was either Chicago or nothing. he wanted to come home.

[irishapple21]

Wow, Chicago has now assembled quite the team. It would be very surprising if they didn't make at least the Conference Finals.

[Bootsy]

If it really is just Barrett and draft picks, there's only one sane possibility: Garber stepped in. And, in turn, if that's true, it's just another example of why this league is a smelly fscking joke.

[Brant]

"Do you think Chad Barrett could be the answer to Toronto's problems at striker? "

hahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

That should've read
"Do you think Chad Barrett could be the answer to ANYONE'S problems at striker? "

[pmc]

Ives:
Post should be titled "Garber strikes deal for McBride Allocation". This is much better for Chicago than for Toronto. Should have included Rolfe or Mapp.

[combo breaker karma]

chad barretts career just took a major kick in the arse because of McBride.

hopefully thatll teach him not to miss :P

[AndrewK]

If Garber stepped in and forced TOronto to take this deal, then that's absolutly ridiculous.
This single entity stuff really has to go.

[Joamiq]

"Do you think Chad Barrett could be the answer to Toronto's problems at striker?"

Yes . . . if the question is, "how could one make Toronto's forward situation even worse?"

Obviously, this would be a score for Chicago.

[Fumar]

This crappy rule has to go. Give the teams and players more freedom to fight for their team. Does the US have a sports court of arbitration like in Europe? We should be making use of that.

TFC won't like it, but it's more than they deserve. And all Chad Barrett hating aside, I hope this IS the deal and I hope those sitters start finding the back of the net. Good luck TFC, your getting a hard working, heavy sweating, generally finicky, and still a bit temper mental striker. I say the best way to use him is as a half time sub. He'll know he only has 45 to play and he'll go all all 45.

WELCOME HOME BRIAN!!! CAN I GET YOU A SLICE OF PIZZA?

[G$]

The fact that Garber stepped in isn't the point... the fact that Toronto had any role in this is what's ridiculous. McBride is a free agent player who has absolutely no connection to Toronto whatsoever. If he wants to sign for Chicago, Chicago wants him can fit him in their budget and he's a free agent and is out of contract... then he should go to Chicago and Toronto should not be involved. This allocation nonsense made sense when first starting the league, but is just goofy at this point.

[Joe]

I cant believe we get rid of Barrett and get McBride. Possibly best case scenario?!

[Eric]

If Chad Barrett is really what we're giving them then I will personally drive Chad across the border and up to Toronto myself.

[Michael F.]

I've never understood the "McBride's earned it to play where he wants," mentality. Guys, this is supposed to be a business. I'm a RBNY fan and I think TFC is getting screwed royally. I respected TFC for not making a crap deal for the past few weeks. Only to end up making a crap deal? Garber had to have stepped in. Ridiculous.

[Bob]

Chad Barrett is the answer to nothing! I hate TFC but not that much. Hope they can pick up a good draft pick...well maybe not

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Wow, that sucks.
Please spare the "TOronto deserves nothing so this is a step up", we got the allocation fair and square as per league rules and now we get a bum deal. Not surprised, disappointed yes, but not a surprise...

Oh well, bettern Cunny.
I hope dude pulls a Buddle (newer version, i doubt it tho)

[Eugene]

Doesn't seem like Toronto is getting fair value, so I'm guessing that the league DID step in to broker a deal.

In that case, something needs to be done about the Fire getting getting getting and not giving much. That situation can't continue or it'll throw parity out the window.

[DWR]

"Guys, this is supposed to be a business"

Its better to have the player in the league then him retire right? This is supposed to be a business. Brian made it clear its was Chicago or Bust

[Ossington Mental Youth]

then let him retire or give us fair value, otherwise dont bitch that we dont want to trade him for less.

God knows you wouldnt if it was up to you...

[Dylan]

Rolfe would be SO much better for Toronto.

[BJR]

The announcers were making it sound like Cooper to Rosenborg would be happening. I really hope not.

Any word on this?

Thanks...

[DWR]

fair deal in my book, chads got about 8 good years left and u got a draft pick (If thats the real deal). McBride's maybe two years left.

[Fumar]

the league stepped in because it was clear that Chicago was fine with waiting until next years and dealing with someone else. This is good for business and the league to have another draw THIS YEAR. Either way he was coming to the chi, it was just a matter of when.

[Eugene]

Who cares how many years Chad has left in his career -- how many years does he have left on his contract??

@DWR, this is actually 15 businesses -- 14 teams and then league as well. Certainly Chicago consistently acted in its best interest, why should the league step in (if that's what happened) and force Toronto to act in Chicago's best interest?

But in all fairness, we don't know the terms of the deal. We should hold off judgement until we hear what the total pkg is for McBride's rights.

[Steve]

Hey, we don't know what the deal was. Marmol can play left wing and Thorrington/King can play right, so it's not necessarily a forward for forward deal. It does seem like the most likely scenario, however.

People talk about Barrett like Herron, Frankowski, or Nyarko were better options for a McBride-less Chicago. He leads the Fire in goals scored and is third in assists.

I think he can learn a lot from training and playing with a finisher like McBride.

'Temo and McBride are both about 3 years away from retirement. If Chicago doesn't win a title in the next two years with these guys....

[ct]

How is Toronto getting screwed? Im McBride simply decided to play the olympics then take a few months off and start in 09, then Seattle would have his rights. They're getting something for nothing. He was NEVER going to play for TFC, and their bargaining position was getting weaker, not stronger, by the day.

[SombraAla]

My only problem is that the league seems to bend the rules or simply change them whenever it suits its purpose. I will reserve judgment until I read the details of the deal - but if TFC gets screwed, then it'll seriously damage the system - players and teams will realize that should the signing be high profile enough, the league will do whatever it takes to make it work regardless of whether or not it's 'fair' or not.

[thatonedude100@yahoo.com]

In my opinion, the easiest way to have avoided this situation is to operate like the rest of the world. Cristiano Ronaldo isn't going to sign a contract with La Liga and hope that whoever holds the top allocation can work out a deal with Real, he's going to sign a contract with Real because that's where he wants to play. I understand why the league had this rule in the first place, but I think it has matured enough to the point where we can start doing some things like they are supposed to be done.

[sal]

Barrett + 1st round draft pick + allocation money

for

a 36 year-old injury-prone forward who has at best 1.5 seasons left in him. And Toronto is getting screwed here???

Good thing for TFC that the lot of you aren't running things.

[bgnewf]

I understand some Fire fans wanting the rule scrapped, but you can't scrap rules or bend/break them in mid season!!!!!

Unfair and Mickey Mouse is how MLS looks when it does crap like this.

[B]

Once again, we see that the rules of the league don't actually matter if there's some outcome that the league office wants to see happen.

Just when you think this league can't lose any more credibility, it finds a way.

[kpugs]

Victor, not sure if you are being smug or not. He would have gone to Columbus as a second choice if he had to. And I do mean HAD to.

Sal, I don't mean to offend you here, but are you blind or illiterate? You're permitted to take off your TFC hat if you want. I post plenty of biased stuff, but at least I acknowledge it when it is completely ridiculous. Nice try though.

[Cameron]

I'm a huge Fire fan and am sure to be biased, but I fail to see where TFC is getting "screwed" if the Barrett+Allocation+Draft for McBride occurs.

Truth was, the Fire were never going to trade Mapp or Rolfe for McBride. At least I hope they wouldn't make such a dumb mistake. Mo knew that all along and just stuck to his guns with mere hope that Chicago would be that dumb. When it became evident that the Fire would just wait it out until the offseason, Mo had to realize that getting something was better than sitting on an allocation and never using it.

We're past the transfer window, are you TFC fans so delusional that you feel a player better than McBride or what the Fire were willing to offer was going to enter the league here in the final months of the season and that you could use the allocation on that? I wouldn't count on it. You should be pleased that your GM picked up a young striker with some potential and a draft pick instead of holding on to what could be a useless allocation. Don't be dumb like the Fire were in holding onto an assent like Wilman Conde in a awful situation when trades for players like Dane Richards were on the table just to prove some dumb point.

[Victor]

I dont think so because he wanted to come back to his roots and if he couldnt play in Chicago this year he probably would have waited until next year. Also if you read the GOAL article it says that the only thing holding the deal up was the Fire's reluctance to give up there first round pick. So could this be the MLS telling Toronto to say that was the hold up or could that really have been the case?

[kpugs]

I'm a huge Fire fan and am sure to be biased, but I fail to see where TFC is getting "screwed"

Ok, you're a huge Fire fan. Why do I know more about your team than you do? Honestly, send me an email and convince me (kpugs7@gmail.com).

So you got BRIAN MCBRIDE and you gave up ONEOF THE WORST PLAYERS EVER. You serious? YOu don't get it? Congrats, you are dumber than all knowledgeable ML fans.

[kpugs]

Which I guess is a good point. I.E. why ignorant fools pretending to know ANYTHING about this sport feel free to mouth off. Trust me guys, you're idiots. And this isn't blog-related chinuppery. The guys who know their stuff on this blog will (for once) agree with me.

[Sticky]

"something needs to be done about the Fire getting getting getting and not giving much. That situation can't continue or it'll throw parity out the window."

OK. Let's see, LA had (until recently) Abel Xavier, LD, and Beckham, three - count 'em - three DPs. Oh yeah, LD was grandfathered in, and blah blah blah. Chicago trading to get McBride is not throwing parity out the window, it never existed in MLS.

@kpugs said "why ignorant fools pretending to know ANYTHING about this sport feel free to mouth off. Trust me guys, you're idiots."

Thanks for your drunken insight at 2:50 in the morning kpugs. Do us all a favor and wait until you've digested your Schaefer quarts and Jose Cuervo shots before you post, 'nkay? And thanks for setting the criteria for knowledge so low - "those who know their stuff on this blog will agree with me..." oh, ok, I get it, "you're either with kpugs or you're against her." Sounds like familiar rhetoric.

[Al17]

To those of you whom were delusional to think the league wouldn't step in and make this happen, I say "Told ya so" - just like alot of others have done. TFC, welcome to MLS part II. Yeah the rule sucks but this is something else that has happened to EVERY SINGLE MLS Team at some point in their brief history. Every single team has gotten screwed in a similar manner - so get pissed at the league. "Mo" did what he should have done which was try to get the best deal he could and the "Fire" did the right thing by trying to get the best deal they could and having been screwed by the league multiple times (Campos immediately comes to mind) knew the MotherShip - a.k.a. MLS - would make it happen. Get rid of the rule and we're not dealing with this crap. So everyone stop bitching, stop the whining and move the F.. on and for crying out loud, don't blame either team. Blame the league for this colossal fiasco.

[bangersandmash]

Chad Barrett + draft pick in exchange for a player who was never going to play for Toronto (or anyone else)? Who cares if its "the answer," Toronto just got a bit stronger for FREE.

[papa bear]

if it is just Barrett and a pick then MLS stepped in for sure, if it's that + allocation cash then TFC is getting a good deal.

Barrett is still young and could develop into a consistent striker. A pick will help next year and allocation cash can help them sign another experienced striker from a foreign league THIS YEAR. That's not a terrible deal for an allocation spot that wasn't going to be used on McBride, a player who will likely be in the league for another 1.5-2 years at the very best.

[Brant]

@ Sticky:
"OK. Let's see, LA had (until recently) Abel Xavier, LD, and Beckham, three - count 'em - three DPs."

Actually, Xavier was not a DP. Carlos Ruiz is, and they have him, too, so you're right that they have 3 b/c Donovan's big contract was grandfathered in. But you didn't have the right 3.

[Felix]

As a Fire fan, I'm happy. To get an American legend, in terms of soccer, and only having to give up Chad Barrett and draft picks/allocations, I like the deal.

[Betinho]

Chad Barrett is young and has very good upside (he won't be missing the broad side of barns forever). This deal HAD to be done. I hope TFC gets a good draft pick and a nice allocation with this deal just to make it seem a little more even. However, how many more seasons does McBride have 1-2, 3 max? How many does Barrett have?

I don't think it's possible to judge this trade until about 5 years down the road. It's not Herschel Walker by any means but could be a mini version if the Fire send a 1st rounder and allocation as well. If TFC uses that money on a DP or something and the draft pick turns out to be a difference maker and Barrett continues to develop they'll be beating up Chicago for years after McBride is off the field and getting treated for post traumatic stress disoreder from all the balls to the knoggin he's taken.

[guillermo]

Chad Barrett is young and will be missing the broad side of the barn forever because he's just not that good. FIve years from now, he will still be infuriatingly bad.

[B]

bangersandmash: No, Toronto did *not* "get stronger for FREE". They traded the top allocation on the list for Chad Barrett. They got Chad Barrett, and to get him, they spent the top allocation. If that sounds like "free" to you, I have some stuff here at my house I'd like to give you "for FREE".

Toronto got hosed by the league office in exactly the way we all expected in the end, in exactly the same way the league hoses anyone and everyone. Whether you think the current system (with Toronto being able to have say in this deal at all) makes sense or not, it's the rules. Or rather, it's the rules on paper. The real rules, of course, are whatever the league decides today. And that's why MLS is a joke.

[mike ruze]

Isnt Chad a free agent after this year?

If KFC has trouble scoring Chad should fit right in.

Chad can turn out to be a good player...

but KFC fans are harsher thatn Chicago and any more damage to this kids psyche might send him to the USL

[martha]

Wow,

Chicago improved their front line while weakening KFC's at the same time....

Now Jaun Pablo Angel is going back to River Plate...

This is turning out to be a great year

[rbade00]

It doesn't get any better than this. Stupendous that we get McBride but the best news is that Barrett is gone ! Whahoo! I would have traded Barrett for a one legged Mickey Mouse.

[brett]

personally ive always liked barrett's play... he's got heart, he works hard, he's the type of player coaches love to have... his only downfall is his confidence... yes he misses sitters, but its b/c of his lack of confidence.... im HOPING a change of scenery will really do him good.....

look at Buddle, off loaded by RBNJ and Toronto(??) and now ripping it apart for LA (whether its b/c of Beckham thats not up for debate)... perhaps Barrett will go to toronto and do well...

as a Yank, i hope he's successful... as a Fire supporter and seeing him off to a confrence rival, i hope he succeeds, but i hope toronto still fails :P (barrett scores, but toronto loses)

either way, if this is true, then the Fire made out like bandits.... a legend striker for Barrett and allocation/d.pick(s)?? ouch :D

[giaco]

"then let him retire or give us fair value, otherwise dont bitch that we dont want to trade him for less.

God knows you wouldnt if it was up to you..."

@ Oh sing to us, Mental Yoot

I'll agree that if Chad and no other player is the deal (+cash/picks), you guys are coming off worse for the deal--however that being said, I think that our side was willing to ride this out until next year as we won't have McHead until after the Olympics anyhow. So really, If I'm not mistaken, we'll only have him for a few matches this season. It could just honestly be that DG wanted McHead in the league so bad that he forced the hand to get it done--irrespective of what either side was willing and/or able to do. Fault, if there is any, may simply be on the side of the MLS arguing against it's own rules--which, to be fair, would be more evidence for them to change them for future use.

Either way, whatever the deal, we still have to come up thre at the end of the regular season anyhow--so that should be interesting. I'll buy the first round.

[HomeyBoehme]

Any trade in the MLS involving Barrett as part of the deal is not good. There are not enough critically negative words in the English language to describe how bad Chad Barrett is as a striker.

[Ben]

Remember how Barrett essentially said the Fire didn't need McBride and that he had proved he deserved a starting spot in Chicago? Not so good.

[Steve]

Full disclosure - I'm a Frie fan and am happy the deal is done regardless of hwo the player is so my comments aren't going to be on the player or who got screwed.

As for the league stepping in. Since it was in the best interest of the league to bring another quality player in (especially if the exodus from Dallas and other places is truly on) I don't think it is bendng the rules unless Garber told Toronto and Chicago what they would send eachother like a parent arbitrating an argument amongst their children.

Just this weke Robert Goodell Commissioner of the NFL (easily the best sports league in North America and perhaps the world) made similar comments that Garber made to TFC and the Fire to Green Bay about dealing with the ongoing rights issues involving Brett Favre. This is a commissioners job.

McBride indicated on Marcelo Balboa's radio show Tuesday night that he had other options if this wasn't resolved by the time he left with the Olympic team for Beijing. Since that is this weekend I'm guessing that Mo and Klopas always had this deadline, stared eachother down, noone blinked, then now that push came to shove made a deal. Its likely we'll never know but the league's only action might have been to say to get it done.

Just a point for a moderate view on the league in this sitiuation. Whihc could be completely biased by the fact that I am getting what I wanted.

[JSquaredNY]

This is a god-awful trade for TFC.

[cbr]

TFC fans...how do we know that Garber didn't pull some back room deal and unofficaly sweeten the deal for tfc? I doubt Garber would want to fk over the league's real flagship franchise and ruin the momentum they are building there

[JB]

I guess I can't really say if TFC got jobbed or not.

1. Allocation spot is TFCs;
2. McB is not going to sign with TFC;
3. No other player is worth the allocation spot (apparently, otherwise TFC would have signed him and moved the trade value to the next team in line); and
4. TFC received a first round pick and cash.

It seems to me that TFC did quite a good job for something that, had McB NOT been willing to sign with MLS, would have been worth exactly NOTHING.

If you look at the trade only, yes it does appear that Chicago got the better side of the trade, but if you look at the reality of the situation, TFC got quite a bit for something they were not going to use in the first place.

If I am wrong, and there are people out there TFC would have used the allocation spot on, then shame on TFC, not Chicago or MLS.

[rbade00]

I couldn't agree more with Homey Boehme !

Well Said !

[Tim K]

First off as a die hard Chicago fan.. Mcbride wasn't worth Rolfe or Barrett. I think we are really over estimating Mcbride's impact. I felt this actually was a fair trade. THe reality is Mcbride only has a couple years in him. INcluding the olympics! And to be honest if Rolfe or Mapp went the trade would have been lop sided in favor of Toronto so either way some one is going to get the shaft!!