Americans Abroad

Fulham fans soundly select McBride as best player in December.

American Brian McBride is a fan favorite at Fulham's Craven Cottage. He received a magnum of Lanson Champagne when they voted him the team's best player in December. -- Fulham web site photo --

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Monday, January 23, 2006) -- United States striker Brian McBride, in his first appearance since being named Fulham's "Player of the Month" for December, started and played 71 minutes for the Cottagers in a 2-1 loss to host West Ham United this afternoon in the English Premier League.

While time of possession was more or less equal, it was West Ham that created the better chances in the first half and took a 2-0 lead on goals by Anton Ferdinand in the 17th minute and Yossi Benayoun 11 minutes later.

The Cottagers' deficit might have grown had not U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra, returning after being in and out of the lineup for a month with a groin injury, cleared a ball off his goal-line in the 32nd minute.

Fulham came out with determination in the second half pulled and pulled to within 2-1 when Heidar Helguson found net in the 52nd minute.

McBride's only good chance came in the 58th minute when he volleyed a shot just over the crossbar. He was replaced by Collins John, a speedy striker with more mobility, in the 71st minute.

While snapping Fulham's two-match winning streak, West Ham avoided suffering a fourth consecutive loss at home for the first time since 1971.

McBride was a landslide choice as Fulham's best player last month by fans voting on the team's web site. He picked up more than 10 times as many votes as runnerup Heidar Helguson.

McBride played in all six Fulham matches in December, including the crowded holiday schedule, scoring three goals while dominating play in what the Fulham web site said was "his customary wholehearted, all-action style."

In the West London Derby against Chelsea December 26, McBride sustained a head wound that required six stitches. After leaving the field for an extended period of time for repairs, McBride returned to almost immediately score the first of Fulham's two goals in a 3-2 loss.

Three days later, McBride scored twice in a 3-3 home draw with Aston Villa, earning special praise from manager Chris Coleman.

"If you saw the state of him when he came off the pitch, it looked like he's been in a bar brawl, he had cuts a bruises everywhere. But that's the way he plays," Coleman said at the time. "He's a terrific player and the fans absolutely adore him. He's a manager's dream, he trains like a true professional and when he plays, he gives everything."

Fulham is 7-11-5 with 26 points, tied for 13th place with Newcastle United (7-10-5) and Aston Villa (6-9-8).

Robert Wagman is SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.