As the face of American 'soccer' continues to change, another of the North American country's mainstays has decided to make way for the next generation. Brian McBride - striker and battler extraordinaire - joined his long-time mates Claudio Reyna and Eddie Pope last week when he announced his retirement from the national team.

In his 13 years of service, 34-year-old McBride -last season's club player of the year with Fulham in England's Premier League - scored 30 goals in 95 matches making him the second all-time top scorer in the history of the US national team.

"With his scoring, ability in the air and intelligence on both sides of the ball, he is truly a player with qualities unlike any other to wear the national team uniform," remarked long-time American coach Bruce Arena. "I always admired both his commitment and his leadership, and have nothing but the greatest respect for him as a player and a person."

Having scored the US' only goal at France 1998 and two more at Korea/Japan 2002, the three-time FIFA World Cup veteran bows out with the distinction of being the only American player to score in multiple finals.

Despite a disappointing first-round exit in Germany this summer, McBride added to his list of enduring images in a US jersey. Renowned for a commitment and grit that led Fulham boss Chris Coleman to remark, "after a game he sometimes looks like he's just been through a bar brawl," the Arlington Heights, Illinois native took one of the finals' hardest hits, without so much of a whimper.

In the Americans' second group match against eventual champions Italy, McBride found himself on the end of a nasty elbow from midfielder Daniele De Rossi, an offence that earned the Roma man a four-match ban. But the tall striker, never one to complain (and no stranger to facial injuries and broken bones) simply trotted over to the touchline with blood pouring from a cut beneath his left eye to receive three stitches.

It is this battling quality and spirit that has made McBride one of the most beloved American players of his generation. And with a head to match his heart, his ability in the air has made him one of only a handful of Americans to succeed overseas, with impressive stints for both Everton and Fulham to add to his time in MLS with Columbus Crew.

"When I look back at his impact on the team and the sport, I think it is easy to say that his legacy will be that of a true iron-man on the field and a gentleman off of it," US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati seemed to sum it all up quite well.  

'Thank you and goodbye'
Preparing to return to London with his family for the upcoming Fulham season, McBride - who was recently linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers - addressed his fans and team-mates with a humility and modesty that has come to define the player who made his first cap back in 1993 and rose to prominence in 1996 with an outstanding debut campaign in MLS' inaugural season.

"My decision was pretty much made before the World Cup in Germany," McBride remarked without much fanfare. "I've thoroughly loved my time being a part of the national team and I have been very fortunate to represent the US, but it's time to call it quits."

Reflecting on an evolution both personal and for the US national team, McBride refused to get caught up in any emotional nostalgia. "Players with experience, drive and talent are coming through the US system now and it's interesting and exciting to see," said McBride, whose goals against Portugal and Mexico at Korea/Japan 2002 made him a household name in the States. "For me, it's been an extended growth period. Every year in my career I have learned something new and I am still trying to keep that going."

Refusing to label the Germany 2006 campaign a failure, the striker rued bad luck and a slow start.  "2006 was not disappointing, only the first game was. We came out flat, didn't perform and lost 3-0 to the Czechs. We could have got something from our next two games…for me as a player, we showed some character and played some good soccer overall."

In a fitting farewell, McBride was quick to turn attention outward in a gesture of thanks as well as express his keenness to get started on the next chapter of his life in US Soccer: as a fan.

"Of course, I am just going to be a fan of the US national team now. For me and my family I can see good moments ahead just supporting the team," he remarked. "I look at the time I played and it's really been my honour and a great privilege. I'd just like to say to all my team-mates and the fans 'thanks…and goodbye'."

Surely for supporters of US Soccer and those that have marked the improvements of the last ten years, the feeling is mutual.