Report: Toronto Gets Chad Barrett for McBride

Last week, when MLS threatened to step in and broker a deal that would allow former Fulham striker Brian McBride to finish his career with the Chicago Fire, I said that either Chicago or Toronto FC was about to get the shaft.

Well, last night during the MLS All-Star Game, commissioner Don Garber said that the deal was done, and Soccer By Ives is reporting that Toronto will get forward Chad Barrett, a superdraft pick and allocation cash.

So yeah, TFC got the shaft.

Chad Barrett might have five goals in 16 MLS games so far this season, but judging by his performance in Olympic qualifying last March -- when he couldn't score in a brothel with a back pocket full of Benjamins -- Barrett probably isn't the long-term answer for TFC's scoring woes. It's a wonder that Toronto didn't even try to convince McBride to come play for them this season.

I still think the rules that made this deal necessary are ridiculous and that McBride should have been considered a free agent, but at least he will get his wish to finish his career in his hometown. The Fire won't get McBride, though, until after the Olympics.