Overview:

Brooklyn Football Club on Tuesday announced the appointment of former U.S. men’s international Brian McBride as general manager as the club builds toward its USL Championship debut in 2026.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Brooklyn Football Club on Tuesday announced the appointment of former U.S. men’s international Brian McBride as general manager as the club builds toward its USL Championship debut in 2026.

McBride will oversee all sporting operations for the men’s and women’s teams, including roster construction, technical staffing, performance analytics, and long-term player development. The women’s side is in its second season competing in the Gainbridge Super League, a USL property and the top tier of women’s professional soccer in the United States.

Brooklyn FC’s men’s team will kick off its inaugural USL Championship season in March 2026. In the months ahead, the club will unveil a head coach, technical staff, and initial player signings, alongside new community initiatives and sponsor partnerships.

“Brooklyn is a place that moves with intent. The world knows the energy and determination this borough brings, and that’s the foundation we’ll build this team on,” McBride said in a statement. “We’re not just putting players on the pitch. We’re building a club that represents Brooklyn and everything it stands for: diversity, drive, and fierce competition. I’m honored to be part of it.”

McBride earned 95 caps for the U.S. men’s national team and scored 30 goals across friendlies, qualifiers, and tournaments. He also appeared in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006), scoring in multiple editions. After his playing career, he served as USMNT general manager from 2020-23.

He played in Major League Soccer and the English Premier League, where he became a Fulham FC standout and two-time club player of the year. In 2009, Fulham named a bar inside Craven Cottage in his honor. He was the first draft pick of the Columbus Crew, helping lead the club to a U.S. Open Cup title in 2002, and later captained the Chicago Fire. In 2014, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

“This is a major moment for the club and the borough,” Brooklyn Football Club president David Barry said in a statement. “Brian brings a rare blend of experience, leadership, and vision; from his elite playing career to his experience with the next generation of American soccer stars. He understands what it means to build something that reflects this community, hardwork and determination. Our women’s team has already set the tone, and now we’re bringing that same energy to the men’s side. Brooklyn FC is all in.”

Brooklyn FC is planning a community event at Industry City on Oct. 29, where supporters will have a first chance to meet McBride and hear more about the men’s team. The event is being developed in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Made, and Fort Hamilton Distillery, with participation from local youth soccer clubs.