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Fire-Chivas USA Preview

Oct 22, 2010 - 4:03 PM Chicago (8-12-9) at Chivas USA (8-17-4), 11:00 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Fire already were planning a send-off Saturday for striker Brian McBride, who is retiring as one of the most famous American soccer players.

They'll also be saying goodbye to the club's last remaining original member.

Defender C.J. Brown announced his retirement this week and will play his final MLS game on the road against Chivas USA, while McBride will have to overcome an illness if he wants to finish his career in style.

With Chicago (8-12-9) missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and Chivas (8-17-4) eliminated from contention for the first time since its inaugural 2005 season, much of the focus on the 2010 finale will be on McBride, who announced his retirement in September.

Brown, meanwhile, waited until after McBride was honored at the Fire's home finale to declare his intention to retire. Brown spent his entire 13-year MLS career with Chicago, setting the franchise record by appearing in 370 matches, and was a member of the inaugural Fire club in 1998.

"Those that know me know I'm not big on being the center of attention," Brown told the Fire's official website. "And when I heard Brian announce his retirement. ... I didn't want to get in the way of any of that. So I felt it was right to let him have his day.

"I think I will have my time at some point," he added. "Honestly, just hearing the good things that people said about me is enough. I don't need (the big celebration)."

McBride got one during a scoreless draw against visiting D.C. last Saturday. He had a goal waved off in the 64th minute and left the field to a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 89th, then was honored by a postgame tribute video.

The 38-year-old McBride was the No. 1 pick in MLS' first draft in 1996 by Columbus, played on three World Cup teams and is third on the U.S. scoring list with 30 goals.

"I was one of those players growing up who watched (McBride) play in the World Cup and play overseas and also in MLS," Chivas captain Jonathan Bornstein told the league's official website. "Just to be able to play against him in the last couple of years has been a pleasure."

A native of suburban Chicago, McBride has played for the Fire the last three seasons after spending the previous four years in the English Premier League with Fulham, which adored him so much they renamed a pub McBride's at home stadium Craven Cottage.

One of the reasons McBride has been respected is his fortitude. He has four titanium plates in his face, souvenirs from hard tackles over the years, and also has overcome a ruptured quadriceps and a dislocated kneecap.

It would be somewhat ironic if McBride missed his final game due to a stomach ailment that kept him out of practice Wednesday.

"This is the last opportunity Brian has to play," Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "Maybe he won't start but he'll (at least be) on the bench and a possibility to play."

Chivas, a 3-0 loser to San Jose on Wednesday, will be saying goodbye to Bornstein. The 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star and member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team is joining Mexican Primera Division side Tigres UANL.

"Chivas has been a big part of the last five years of my life," Bornstein said. "They gave me my chance as a professional player from the beginning. I'm very thankful for that and I'm sad to leave."