Brian McBride voted MLS Player of the Week

McBride voted MLS Player of the Week

Chicago forward nets two goals in Fire's playoff-clinching draw vs. Columbus

WATCH THE VIDEO OF HIS TWO GOALS IN THIS MATCH HERE

Major League Soccer Communications

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NEW YORK -- Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 29 of the 2008 season. McBride scored two goals on Sunday in his club's 2-2 tie with the Columbus Crew, which helped the Fire clinch a berth in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs.

McBride opened the scoring in the 13th minute, getting on the end of a Justin Mapp cross to put the ball away for his third goal of the season. In the second half, the Crew answered with two goals only two minutes apart (59th and 61st) to take a 2-1 lead.

McBride brought the Fire back in the 79th minute when he settled a corner kick from Cuauhtemoc Blanco that was flicked on by teammate Wilman Conde. McBride coolly struck a shot low and inside the right post for his fourth goal of the season, which was enough to give the Fire the point in the standings that secured a postseason spot. It was the 10th multi-goal game of McBride's career.

This is McBride's first Player of the Week honor this season and the fifth of his career. It's his first since 2003 when he was a member of the Columbus Crew. McBride joined the Fire during the summer transfer window after completing his contract at English Premier League club Fulham FC. Chicago traded forward Chad Barrett, a first-round draft pick and allocation money to Toronto FC for McBride's rights. McBride has four goals and one assist in nine games (eight starts) for Chicago this season. McBride and the Fire play Toronto FC on the road on Saturday, Oct. 18 before completing their regular season on Thursday, Oct. 23 versus the New York Red Bulls.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.

2008 Player of the Week Winners

Week 1: Terry Cooke (Colorado Rapids)
Week 2: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 4: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 6: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 7: Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Week 8: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 9: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire)
Week 10: Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
Week 11: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)
Week 12: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 13: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 14: Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
Week 15: Adam Cristman (New England Revolution)
Week 16: John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)
Week 17: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 18: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)
Week 19: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas)
Week 20: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
Week 21: Ronnie O'Brien (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 22: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 23: Fabian Espindola (Real Salt Lake)
Week 24: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 25: Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
Week 26: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 27: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)
Week 28: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)
Week 29: Brian McBride (Chicago Fire)

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Via Press Release (Photo:AP)

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