McBride Leads Fulham

Telegraph (uk)

Fulham won a vital game against Everton today, 1-0, behind a great goal by captain Brian McBride. Manager Roy Hodgson said of his skipper:

'Brian is an experienced player. He is 36 and a talismanic figure at the club. It was just that little bit of quality that was needed because both teams were defending and fighting hard.'

Everyone loves McBride, even the manager of the opposing club:

"I don't like conceding goals but if anyone was to score I'm glad it was Brian," said [Everton manager David] Moyes, who brought the American to England when he was manager of Preston and them took him on loan to Everton. "He is a great player and a great professional."

Fulham is still in the drop zone; they need to make up four points on Birmingham to keep from being relegated. Clint Dempsey scored the goal that kept Fulham from being relegated last year; perhaps another American will do the job this year? (I hope for Eddie Johnson; our US team needs GAM to get back on track.)

Video of McBride's goal from 101 Great Goals (with French commentators!)

Guardian (uk): McBride the miracle worker gives Fulham a glimpse of the possible

Times (uk): Brian McBride gives faithful something to shout about

Eddie Johnson on Transfer to Fulham

hat tip to DuNord

Fulham Sign Eddie Johnson

Fulham signs their fifth American (Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Kasey Keller & Brian McBride precede Johnson). The $6 million transfer fee is the largest in MLS history. Of course, the fees look higher and higher as the value of the dollar drops relative to the pound; in pounds, it's only 3 million (my keyboard doesn't have a pound sign)

Last year Clint Dempsey scored the $100 million dollar goal that kept Fulham from being relegated to the Championship. Unfortunately they are back in the drop zone. Let's hope Eddie Johnson finds the form that made GAM the first US player ever to score 8 goals in his first 8 games for the USMNT.

Dempsey and Johnson are good friends, so that should help Johnson adjust to England and the English game. They roomed together at the 2006 World Cup. Some links to videos of the two below.

Yanks Abroad: JOHNSON JOINS FULHAM AFTER APPEAL

Soccer by Ives: Eddie Johnson granted UK work permit, signs with Fulham

Studio 90 Follows Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson for BBQ (video)

Clint & EJ Interview Each Other on the bus in Germany (video)

Words from Nac (video of Clint Dempsey discussing his Don't Tread video; EJ appears at the end)

Nike: Inside Eddie Johnson video

Nike: Eddie Shows the Love video

Footie News

United States midfielder Leslie Osborne, right, turns toward the goal past Japan's Eriko Arakawa during the second half of an exhibition women's soccer match on Saturday, July 28, 2007, in San Jose, Calif. The USA won 4-1. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)

The US women defeated Japan 4-1 last night; game coverage from AP and ussoccer.com. Abby Wambach scored and is now tied with Cindy Partlow for #5 on the alltime US scoring list with 75 goals. Wambach scored her 75 in 94 games, an amazing strike rate; Partlow took 158. Captain America Kristine Lilly scored her 124th career Nats goal, still #2 on the all-time list, moving her one closer to Mia Hamm's record 158 goals.

From a few days ago, ussoccer.com with a Q&A with Abby Wambach.

The unfortunately named Pinkfootball.com has profiles of the teams going to the Women's World Cup in September.

Freddy Adu to Benfica (Portugal, the former club of Eusebio, among others). Good on ya, Freddy; European competition will raise your game. Your chances of making the 2010 World Cup team just leaped considerably.

Blackburn rumored to be after Eddie Johnson. Go east, young man.

American Eric Lichaj signed by Aston Villa. How exciting, to play for Martin O'Neill. Sal Zizzo of the U20 team signed a 3 year contract with Hannover 96.

Brian McBride interviewed by the Independent (uk).

And finally, we may be destroying their country, but we haven't destroyed their spirit: Miraculously, Iraq for the first time in its history wins the Asian Cup, a "fairytale ending".

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie

SI: The Wizards' Eddie Johnson (just 23), is the first U.S. player to score eight goals in his first eight international games.
Wade Jackson/Icon Sports Media
SI's caption fails to note the Eddie only scored 3 times in his next 22 caps.
Eddie Johnson has turned down a transfer to newly promoted English Premier League club Derby County FC. (Note to AP, it's Derby County, not Derby. Calling them Derby is like calling Manchester United 'Manchester'. Wrong.) Eddie Johnson will stay a mediocre player as long as he stays in the MLS. David Beckham alone does not make a world class league. Johnson is 23 and if he doesn't watch out his prime will be looking at him in the rear view mirror. Go to Europe, young man.

SI: No thanks!
MLS star Johnson rejects transfer to Premier League

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Eddie Johnson, Major League Soccer's leading scorer, has turned down a transfer from the Kansas City Wizards to Derby of England's Premier League.

[] [T]he transfer fee offered by Derby, said to be in the $3.6 million range. Derby won promotion to the Premier League this past season, after being relegated from England's top division following the 2001-02 season.

Kansas City Star: Johnson rejects deal with English club