Deal for McBride Reached?

The Chicago Fire and Toronto FC have reportedly agreed to a compromise in the long-running saga over Brian McBride's rights. As part of the reported deal, the Fire would send forward Chad Barrett north of the border in exchange for the rights to sign the former U.S. international.

McBride, now 36, spent the past 4+ seasons playing for English Premier League side Fulham, playing an important role in their successful bid to avoid relegation last season. He made 139 appearances from 2004-2008, scoring 32 times and being named Fulham's 'Player of the Season' following the 2006-07 campaign.

Despite offers from the club to remain in England for atleast one more season, McBride opted to return home, presumably to play for his hometown team in Chicago. But according to MLS rules, Toronto FC holds allocation rights for the player, based on their last-place finish in 2007, meaning some sort of deal would have to be worked out before McBride could suit up for the Fire.

After weeks of negotiations, it appeared a stalemate had been reached, with Fire officials angrily venting in the media that Toronto was asking for too much in exchange for the allocation. That all changed last night at the MLS All-Star Game, when Commissioner Don Garber spilled the beans on a potential resolution between the clubs, saying: ''It got resolved today; we'll announce something tomorrow. Brian McBride will be in our league. It's taken us awhile to come up with a resolution that's fair, but that resolution is complete.''

According to the Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave, the deal will also see Chicago part with their first-round SuperDraft pick in 2009 and "future considerations," which will be determined if/when Barrett re-signs with MLS next year.

McBride is currently with the U.S. Olympic team in Hong Kong, added to the squad as one of three "over-age" players, along with Brad Guzan and Michael Parkhurst. Once he signs with the Fire, McBride is expected to play the remainder of this season and all of next season before deciding on his future.

Barrett, 23, is Chicago's leading scorer on the 2008 season, with the four-year veteran racking up five goals and four assists in 16 appearances. He has been with the Fire since being drafted by them as the third overall pick in the 2005 SuperDraft. In his career, he has made 82 league appearances for the club, chipping in with 18 goals.