Brian McBride: 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, MLS Interview

Atlanta is bursting with excitement over the revealing of Atlanta United FC, our city’s new MLS expansion franchise set to play at New Atlanta Stadium in Spring 2017. Yesterday was a great day for soccer in Atlanta as the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals were being held at the Georgia Dome. Though the US Men’s National Team unfortunately lost a home game to Jamaica 2-1, it was still a great day for soccer in the States and in Atlanta. I had the pleasure to interview US Men’s National Team Legend Brian McBride before yesterday’s event. We talked all things USMNT, MLS, CONCACAF, and soccer in general Wednesday morning.

ATL All Day: What brings you to Atlanta besides the CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals?

Brian McBride: I’ve had the great pleasure to travel around with the Gold Cup Trophy courtesy of Allstate being the Protector of the Gold Cup. We it bring to every venue that the US goes to and also at some of the Mexican games. Alongside of that I get to do some community outreach. Allstate is setting up a practice for a local youth clubs, unbeknownst to them, I actually get to go out and surprise. At the end of the event, Allstate provides them with equipment and jerseys.

ATL: With Atlanta long being a hotbed for soccer talent, why do you suppose it has taken so long for the MLS to come down to the Atlanta region?

Jul 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; United States midfielder Michael Bradley (4) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half against Jamaica during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

McBride: I think it’s been missing in the Southeast part of the country ever since Miami and Tampa folded. Not having it down was certainly a big miss for MLS. As soccer grew in general, you really need to have an MLS team in an area for it to blossom at the professional level. The exact reasons, I don’t know, but I certainly know that in the past the MLS has definitely been very picky over who they pick to be a MLS owner. I’m sure that when the right came around, Atlanta finally got there team.

ATL: Is a dual-purpose facility the right way to go for Atlanta United? They will share New Atlanta Stadium with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

McBride: It all depends on the support. You look at Seattle. They can actually open up the top bowl and fill some of those seats. They do a very good job of making sure that there’s a demand for tickets. If Atlanta can create something similar, there’s no reason not to have a mixed stadium.

ATL: Talk to me about what it was like playing in the English Premier league with Fulham.

McBride: It was a pretty special time. When you talk about atmosphere, there’s really nothing like it. Those stadiums are purposely built to have the fans right on top of you. They’re all very knowledgable fans. So it doesn’t have to be a boom or a great save from a goal keeper. It can be a great run, it can be a ball being played over distance that’s pinpoint. When you receive their applause throughout the game, it keeps you focused, it keeps you driven.

It’s a nice thing to have and we’re starting to get that here in the States. We’ve gone fanatical groups like the American Outlaws. Each MLS team has their own group and area. Players love it. If you’re getting ribbed, getting yelled at by other fans, players almost view that as a form of respect.

ATL: Clint Dempsey has been playing out of his mind with 6 goals in the Cup so far. Who else do you admire on the current Men’s National Team you admire as a former USMNT player?

Jul 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; United States forward Clint Dempsey (8) heads the ball against Jamaica in the first half during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

McBride: It’s a great to have a group like this where you have some veterans that have really stood up and said “follow me!” You’ve talked about Clint already. Michael Bradley has been a rock throughout all these games. And Brad Guzan. He hasn’t necessarily had a ton of opportunities in goal because of Tim Howard. But now that Timmy’s taking a little time away, he’s showing that he’s every bit capable of performing and keeping us in games when needed.

ATL: What do like about Jurgen Klinsmann’s leadership style and where do you think the team needs to improve?

McBride: He’ll hold you accountable. Sometimes controversial from the outside looking in, but you know it’s his group. I think he’s grown not only the team but the federation itself. He’s created infrastructure so now there’s an easier transition from one youth national team to the next. To have the youth teams to continually be coached the same philosophy. It’s important for them to have to mental side of the game, to be soccer smart.

As far as things to work on, I think there are still big question marks in the back line. Who’s going to play where? We need to have some continuity and understanding in that line, especially the center back partnership. But having said all that, they’ve done very well to get to this point. They’ve put them in a great spot coming out of a very difficult group, the hardest group by far in this tournament and allowed them to go into a game against Cuba and know that they were probably in a much easier game than all three before.

ATL: Talk to me about your favorite memories of playing for the 2002 World Cup Team and playing for Bruce Arena.

McBride: So many fond memories. Playing for Bruce, it was awesome. I know a lot of people don’t understand him fully about his personality, but he’s got this amazing personality. He can joke around with you but can also be demanding to the point where you know if you don’t perform, you’re going to be off the field. He makes no bones about it. It’s not something that you feel bad about. You just know your job. It’s very well descripted to you.

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