Soccer By Ives is reporting that Fulham forward Brian McBride may come out of a two-year retirement with the U.S. national team in order to play with the U-23s at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. According to the report, McBride, 35, has been in discussions with Olympic team coach Peter Nowak about being one of the team’s three over-age players; sources say the Fulham striker, who has never played in the Olympics, is “very interested.”
But why would Nowak contact a retired international? SBI reminds us that the Olympics would most likely present a scheduling conflict for current U.S. internationals, who would probably be on duty to face Guatemala in World Cup 2010 qualifying during the Olympic finals. That game could be rescheduled — 2004 Olympic finalist had its opening game of th semifinal round rescheduled because of the same conflict — but if circumstances don’t fall in the Americans’ favor, then several national teamers might be forced to sit the Olympics out, making someone like McBride a perfect alternative. Practically speaking, McBride and Jozy Altidore would also form quite a dangerous-looking tandem.