Sam McBride had a few expectations coming into San Antonio FC as a 21-year-old rookie. He expected some hazing from the veterans, which included him standing in front of the team and singing the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” a cappella on Tuesday. He expected a couple friendly jokes about his giant head, an attribute that is actually quite helpful on 50/50 balls in the air.
One thing he didn’t expect was to be a fixture in SAFC’s Starting XI.
McBride joins defender Greg Cochrane and goalkeeper Josh Ford as the only SAFC members to play every minute this season.
A few days before SAFC’s opener, McBride wasn’t even sure if he made it on the travel roster.
“I was told when I got here that I would be the third-choice centerback, so I figured I could get some experience on the bench and learn from the veterans,” McBride said. “But I knew if I worked my butt off and played well enough, I could work my way into that Starting XI.”
McBride, a Greensboro, N.C. native, first met SAFC coach Darren Powell when he was 10-years-old at the Greensboro Soccer Club. He followed Powell to Elon University, where he played every minute of the 2015 season and was named to the All-CAA conference team.
McBride said he figured he was called for depth when Powell asked him to play for SAFC. But it wasn’t going to stop him from working his way to the top.
McBride said he entered training camp with a philosophy of keeping the game simple and doing all of the little things right to prove he belonged. Playing at a position where a mistake or breakdown could be the difference between a clean sheet or a loss, McBride said he made sure to focus on communication with his teammates as well.
“I knew the situation,” McBride said. “But for me, I’m going to respect your decision, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to change your decision. I’m always going to be competitive.”
As the SAFC season opener neared, McBride found himself playing next to starting centerback Stephen McCarthy more and more, and guessed he had a shot at starting. So far, he’s played every minute in SAFC history.
Powell called SAFC’s overall team defense a real positive of the team early on in the season. The team’s five goals against are tied for second best in the Western Conference, only behind Sacramento’s three goals allowed. SAFC has not allowed more than one goal in a match all season.
“Sam grabbed his opportunity when it came,” Powell said. “It’s the best bit about coaching to see the players you’re involved with work to achieve their goals. He knew what the expectations of him were, and he made himself a key part of this team.”
Sam McBride had a few expectations coming into San Antonio FC as a 21-year-old rookie. He expected some hazing from the veterans, which included him standing in front of the team and singing the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” a cappella on Tuesday. He expected a couple friendly jokes about his giant head, an attribute that is actually quite helpful on 50/50 balls in the air.
One thing he didn’t expect was to be a fixture in SAFC’s Starting XI.
McBride joins defender Greg Cochrane and goalkeeper Josh Ford as the only SAFC members to play every minute this season.
A few days before SAFC’s opener, McBride wasn’t even sure if he made it on the travel roster.
“I was told when I got here that I would be the third-choice centerback, so I figured I could get some experience on the bench and learn from the veterans,” McBride said. “But I knew if I worked my butt off and played well enough, I could work my way into that Starting XI.”
McBride, a Greensboro, N.C. native, first met SAFC coach Darren Powell when he was 10-years-old at the Greensboro Soccer Club. He followed Powell to Elon University, where he played every minute of the 2015 season and was named to the All-CAA conference team.
McBride said he figured he was called for depth when Powell asked him to play for SAFC. But it wasn’t going to stop him from working his way to the top.
McBride said he entered training camp with a philosophy of keeping the game simple and doing all of the little things right to prove he belonged. Playing at a position where a mistake or breakdown could be the difference between a clean sheet or a loss, McBride said he made sure to focus on communication with his teammates as well.
“I knew the situation,” McBride said. “But for me, I’m going to respect your decision, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to change your decision. I’m always going to be competitive.”
As the SAFC season opener neared, McBride found himself playing next to starting centerback Stephen McCarthy more and more, and guessed he had a shot at starting. So far, he’s played every minute in SAFC history.
Powell called SAFC’s overall team defense a real positive of the team early on in the season. The team’s five goals against are tied for second best in the Western Conference, only behind Sacramento’s three goals allowed. SAFC has not allowed more than one goal in a match all season.
“Sam grabbed his opportunity when it came,” Powell said. “It’s the best bit about coaching to see the players you’re involved with work to achieve their goals. He knew what the expectations of him were, and he made himself a key part of this team.”
