Didn't see this on here yet: http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=101206&clid=&cpid=GL&Title=Rosenborg+target+McBride
Interesting. I get the feeling that this would be a situation where Brian would actually be getting significant playing time, as well. Hope it works out for him--guy's nearing retirement, already done so much for soccer in the USA--time to cash in and take the money
Let me take a shot at this one. European team makes small money bid for US international star. MLS laughs at bid and makes dirty European jokes as they reject bid. Rumors of unhappy midwestern target man pop up everywhere.
No disrespect to MLS. Just that Rosenborg is (correct me if I'm wrong) THE money club in Norway. They buy all the good players from the other teams in the Norwegian league. So I'm assuming, if they want McBride, they'd be able to pay him more than the MLS maximum, which is, what, $265,000, something like that? My post, I admit, is based on the assumption that they would pay him quite a bit more than that.
He probably gets a fairly good salary and a fair amount of games against top european competition. I think the MLS would have problems competing with that, definitely the matches, but probably also the pay check. Rosenborg is Scandinavia's richest and internationally most successfull team. If they reach the group stage in Champion's League this year it will be the 7th in a row. And they definitely needs one or two good players to prepare for CL this year, as they are having some problem for the moment (number 6 in the domestic league after half a season, 7 points behind the top).
At his age, he probably won't see another WC Finals. He would be 34 by 2006. That's very old for a striker. With a young kid at home, he should think about money rather than playing times or the level of play.
Rosenborg are the perennial champions of the Eliteserien. However, they don't generally do well in UEFA--the Norwegian league is sort of a middling league in Europe. McBride could conceivably go to Trondheim and then it could become a stepping stone to further European exposure and play with an even bigger team. I have been waiting for a rumor like this since the World Cup. To have a Yank playing for Rosenborg would just make my year.
Planetfootball is a very good source for rumors; in other words, they list accuarate rumors but indeed, they still are rumors.
I am a bit ignorant about the Norwegian season but think I get the gist of it. Wow. If I were McBride I'd definitely look into going. It is like Dandal said really - if you play in Norway that is the club to play for... or maybe Bryne Fire (spelling?) in Bergen. But that is my sentimental favorite. But why not? He could play championsleague ball and wade out the twilight of his career in a beautiful country... I do believe the Norwegian season runs similarly to MLS in the summer (obvious weather issues?)... so in the winter off-season, he may have the perfect opportunity to even excercise a loan deal from Rosenborg (if need be/body permits) or jettison back to the states in the winter.
Then it is the right move for him. He has a small chance of being in the Nats picture in 2006, he has been a great MLS contributor, and he should be given the chance to go make the extra money.
McBride has already stated he'd go to Europe to play. Whether or not he considered Norway part of Europe is another question. Personally, I think McBride was excited based on the opportunity to play at Everton under Moyes. Now that the opportunity has apparently passed, I think he'll be more reserved about moving. However, if the story about McBride begrudging MLS for refusing a transfer is true, perhaps he'll jump ship at first chance, regardless of the locale. For me, this is a saga that it is difficult to remain neutral on. MLS and McBride can both make strong arguements for and against his release. Going against my business sense, McBride should be allowed to ply his trade in Europe. I just hope it isn't too late.
McBride would do well at Rosenburg, he fits their style of play. Also, they've done really well in CC of late __IIRC they made it to the second group stage two years ago? As far as the salary is concerned, i'm not so sure he's going to triple $275,000. But think of all the blondes.