Brad Friedel vs Brian McBride
United States against United States. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Brad Friedel
United States · 1974–2003 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in United States
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 82 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur
In Daegu on 10 June 2002 he pushed away Lee Eul-yong's penalty, then saved another against Poland four days later, the first goalkeeper since Jan Tomaszewski in 1974 to stop two spot kicks in World Cup play. He reached the 2002 quarter-finals with that side, won the League Cup with Blackburn the same year, made the PFA Team of the Year in 2003 and put together 310 consecutive Premier League appearances, the competition record. Career record: 82 caps and 0 goals for United States; club career at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur.
Brian McBride
United States · 1998–2009 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in United States
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 95 · 30 goals
- Clubs
- Columbus Crew, Fulham, Chicago Fire
Fulham renamed the sports bar at Craven Cottage McBride's in June 2009, more than a year after he left, which tells you how the ground felt about a striker who headed everything that came into the box. He was the first American to score at two World Cups, once against Iran in 1998 and twice in 2002, won the 2002 Gold Cup as its best player and top scorer, and sits in the MLS All-Time Best XI. Career record: 95 caps and 30 goals for United States; club career at Columbus Crew, Fulham, Chicago Fire.
The verdict
The almanac puts Brad Friedel ahead by 1 rating point, 85 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.