Brian McBride is still buzzing after scoring on his Fulham debut to give the Whites a London derby win over Tottenham this weekend.
The American was made to wait for his first appearance after work permit delays following his arrival from MLS side Columbus Crew, but more than made up for that with a close-range finish that secured all three points at Loftus Road. Modest McBride was playing down his goalscoring exploits, telling the club’s official website:
The most important thing for me is that the team won. To get a goal was just an added bonus. It was an exciting day for me, but it was for everybody and I was just happy to be a part of it. It was difficult in the first half, the surface wasn’t that great, but in the second half everybody in the team really started to cause them some problems and I was just pleased that I was able to step in and play my part.
I saw Ian Pearce go for the ball from the corner, and I thought he was either going to head it just wide or it would be a goal, but Kasey Keller made a great save and it was right there for me. It was great to be out there just running round again. When the game kicks-off, you get that special feeling because of the crowd and the atmosphere, and it’s just a fantastic thing.”
They’re a really good group of guys here, both in the locker-room and on the field – the amount of talent is amazing. The one and two touch passing and the reading of the game is incredible and it’s just fun to be a part of it. The coaches here are really in tune with the players, they know how to get everybody moving and concentrated. I’ve been very impressed; they’ve integrated me into the team really smoothly and I just hope that I can help out – that’s what I’ve got to do.
