Fire Thu Jun 19 2008

It’s Hard to Argue That We’re Not the Jerks On This One

When the Chicago Fire didn’t want to let Wilman Conde follow Juan Judas Osorio to New York just because he wanted to, people called them jerks. When the Fire didn’t let the Red Bulls sign Lider Marmol because the Fire had already put a discovery claim on him, people called them much worse. But they were wrong. The Fire was doing everything in their rights to stay as competitive as they could and not help a rival Eastern Conference team. That’s what a sports team should do.

So it’s hard to defend this quote in the Tribune from Frank Klopas about his negotiations with Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston about acquiring the rights to Brian McBride:

"Mo needs to understand it's about doing the right thing. Someone who has had a great career wants to finish in his hometown. He has to understand that.”

No doubt a player that’s done as much for MLS and American soccer as Brian McBride should get to choose where and how he finishes his career. But for Mo Johnston, doing the right thing is making Toronto FC as strong a team as he can and that doesn’t necessarily mean making Brian McBride or Frank Klopas or the Chicago Fire happy.

If the Fire want McBride, they’re going to have to pay the price. And if that price is more than one good young player, it might just be too high. If that’s the case, there’s no point complaining in the papers or being jerks about it.

- Steve Gillies