It's funny how some doors will open for people in the strangest ways.
Just ask U.S. Olympic team forward Brian McBride, who has to give a big assist to West Ham United and U.S. international defender Jonathan Spector for playing at the Beijing Summer Games.
After U.S. Olympic assistant coach Lubos Kubik scouted a game between West Ham and McBride's Fulham team in the English Premiership last winter, Spector was in a playful mood with his good friend McBride.
"Lubos, did you hear Brian wants to play in the Olympics?" Spector jokingly said.
A few other jokes were thrown around. But eventually McBride got serious and said he would consider playing for the U.S. one more time if the opportunity arose.
"I threw it out as just talk at the time, but a few days later, Peter [Nowak, the U.S. coach] called me," McBride said. "I was a little shocked but that's really when it became an interest and a possibility. The idea has come a long way since then but it was pretty crazy at the time."
As it turned out, Spector, who was expected to anchor the defense, injured his right hip and won't be participating at the Summer Games.
McBride, however, is expected to play a vital role for the U.S. in China. As the oldest (36) and most experienced player -- three World Cups and a 14-year professional career, McBride will be a leader on and off the pitch.
• Full coverage >
In fact, McBride will be one of the oldest, if not the oldest U.S. men's soccer player to participate at the Olympics, being some 12 years the senior as the next oldest player -- defender Michael Parkhurst, another over-age player on the 18-man roster.
"That's pretty funny," McBride said. "I don't look at myself as being 36 and I certainly don't feel 36. For me it's more about the mentality so I think I have a little more upstairs as far as experience that will help me. When it comes down to it, it really is all about how you play on the field, and being a part of this team, regardless of what age you are."
McBride later added: "They're making me feel much younger than I am."
Since McBride has been around the block and then some for club and country, he some advice for his Olympic teammates who haven't been to many world tournaments.
"For anybody, regardless of where you're playing, it's important that you focus on the things that you can do well and not be concerned about the things that go on when you get into big tournaments like this," he said. "I wouldn't call them distractions, but there are a lot of things that go into how each team plays. You have to try to put those things out of your mind as much as possible and focus on what got you there. I think that will be one of the goals for us."
When McBride retired internationally after the 2006 World Cup, everyone thought he would focus on his club career. He made sure Fulham, faced with possible relegation, stayed in the Premiership with a few timely goals late in the season. Out of contract, McBride decided to return to MLS and play for the Chicago Fire. After seemingly endless negotiations with Toronto FC, a deal was made with the Fire and McBride signed Wednesday.
McBride will play for the U.S. at least three times in China. He has put on the red, white and blue jersey 96 times for the full national team, scoring 30 goals. He is the only U.S. player to score in two consecutive World Cups. He won't be wearing his usual No. 20. The team only had No. 17 available.
Beyond any numbers, though, McBride leaves it on the field. Perhaps former U.S. national team manager and New York Red Bulls coach Bruce Arena once said it best.
"He's a real forward," he said. "When he steps on the field you know he is going to give you 90 minutes. I don't know how much more you can ask of him. With his dimensions, obviously he is very good in the air. He's a very good player at holding the ball and pressuring the opponent. He is invaluable."
McBride should prove invaluable to the team as a target man and goal-scorer and someone who can take some of the pressure off 18-year-old Jozy Altidore, the team's lone scoring threat during CONCACAF qualifying. Altidore was kicked, tripped and knocked around roughly during those games because opposing teams did not respect whoever he was paired with. Sometimes he was alone up front.
McBride should change that.
Nowak's main concern for McBride and several of the other European players such as Freddy Adu and Michael Bradley is having them not just fit, but match-fit. Remember, McBride hadn't played a competitive match since the beginning of May.
"We have guys who are playing in Major League Soccer right now who are match-fit and we have a group of players who are in preseason," said Nowak, who had personalized workouts for the Euro-based players.
"We've ... done our homework with that and know how to accommodate our players needs to get them ready for the Japan game."
That's the first U.S. game against Japan in Tianjin Aug. 7 before the Netherlands in Tianjin Aug. 10 and Nigeria in Beijing Aug. 13.
"We want to get out of our group," McBride said. "That's the mentality that we need to have going in. After that, anything can happen and we just hope to play our game ... and the rest will take care of itself."
GRIEVING STRANGE BACK ON TOUR
Nowak makes final roster selections
McBride: We’re Not Out Of Woods Yet
Hard work pays dividends for RSL duo
