Chris McCann (D/M Shams b.1987)

[Charlie Darwin]

Giovinco went to MLS at 27. It's not hugely common but realistically for guys whose international aspirations are likely in the past like Doyle, St Ledger and McCann it can be a very attractive option.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd say jack Byrne went where he was told. He could just as easily have been told to go to New York.

I think your general impression about Irish footballers is probably correct but I'd love to know how you quantify the quality of a career move.

I'd like to see more Irish play in Europe but I'm not that fussed really and I think in general, and very definitely in this particular case, thou doth protest too much.

[OwlsFan]

I stopped off in Wigan once to get a train connection from Manchester to Blackpool where some team in blue and white stripes were playing (for the record 0-0). The High Street isn't bad and even the wife was impressed and based on a 30 minute visit it didn't seem to be the worst place in the world - probably less likely to be shot than in Atlanta but then you have the American Football there (Braves?) but whether this counter-balances a potential gun shot wound, I am not sure.

[tetsujin1979]

I am trying to think of name players from any other European country who go to the MLS at such an age and I'm struggling.According to this list of foreign players in MLS - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_MLS_players - England, France, Spain, Scotland, Italy, Netherlands, and Serbia all have had more players than Ireland. Germany, Poland and Sweden have had equal numbers to Ireland.
Find out what the average age was when they went over and you'll have your answer


Even the players the next rung down from from Gerrard and Lampard like Benoit Cheyrou tend to be 34 or 35 when they go over.Beckham was 31, so was Keane.


It's a nice move for the family but I don't think it's a great career move in the strictest sense of the word.

I get the impression a lot of Irish players in Britain wouldn't/don't consider a move to foreign speaking countries in Europe because they're too comfortable or whipped.
You might want to revisit this when you have a family


That's probably why Jack Byrne was able to move to Cambuur, because he got his independence early, is young and doesn't/didn't have a partner when he went over.I agree, it was a shame his dad died young.


I think it's pretty disappointing TBH.

And come on - the Championship is miles ahead of the MLS. Whatever the merits about living in and raising a family in America.see above about when you have a family

[tetsujin1979]

I stopped off in Wigan once to get a train connection from Manchester to Blackpool where some team in blue and white stripes were playing (for the record 0-0). The High Street isn't bad and even the wife was impressed and based on a 30 minute visit it didn't seem to be the worst place in the world - probably less likely to be shot than in Atlanta but then you have the American Football there (Braves?) but whether this counter-balances a potential gun shot wound, I am not sure.
Braves are baseball, Falcons are the football team, Hawks are the basketball team. Used to the Thrashers for ice hockey, but they moved to Canada

[BonnieShels]

Braves are baseball, Falcons are the football team, Hawks are the basketball team. Used to the Thrashers for ice hockey, but they moved to Canada

And they also had the Flames who also moved to Canada. Atlanta doesn't deserve hockey.

[gastric]

Seems this thread is tripadvisor.com for people with a penchant for aquariums. What fish are on display at Bray as I personally would love to go there.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

David Beckham is a bad example in fairness. He had almost completed his transition from footballer to celebrity at that stage, the move to LA was in keeping with that. And even so, he returned to Europe with a loan spell every year.

And I am not going to make any firm judgments but I would just genuinely like to know why footballers from all around Europe can move all around Europe all through their careers but Irish footballers seem reluctant to move anywhere other than the UK, Australia or America.

I am positive Scandinavian, French, German, Dutch, Eastern European and South American footballers have families too but it doesn't seem to impede them.

I find it ironic because you can't throw a stone anywhere in this world without finding an Irish person, yet footballers (Sheridan apart) seem to be restricted to English speaking countries.

If I was a footballer I would love to experience different cultures, learn new languages and play football in a different country.

They usually retire between the ages of 35-40. There is plenty of time and plenty of opportunities to set up a family base and make money coaching soccer in America afterwards, surely!

[Charlie Darwin]

For the most part, clubs in Europe aren't interested in Irish players. Obviously there are cases where players have turned down offers too, but it's not like they're flying in.

[Colbert Report]

I wonder where he'll get loaned to until next March when the MLS season starts. Would love to see him go back to Burnley.

[tetsujin1979]

According to various reports, he'll be going on loan to Coventry city for six months before the new season starts in the States

[drummerboy]

But for injury and his falling out with Don Givens this lad should have got some caps

[tetsujin1979]

five month loan until he moves to Atlanta: http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/signing-loan-chris-mccann-coventry-city-atlanta-3219078.aspx

[tetsujin1979]

Altanta are in preseaon now, short interview with McCann ahead of the new MLS season on their website: http://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/02/01/crossing-pond-chris-mccann-atlanta-united-preseason
First preseason game was a few days ago, McCann played the first 45 minutes, then the whole side was changed for the second half: http://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/02/11/recap-atlanta-united-win-4-0-first-ever-preseason-game

[tetsujin1979]

no sign of McCann in Atlanta's squad for their first game against New York Red Bulls

[tetsujin1979]

off the bench last night to make his debut for Atlanta, in a 6-1 win over Minessota United

[Olé Olé]

Watching Sky Sports news and they did an MLS goal round-up. Showed Atlanta United's 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids. Atlanta at home and the stadium looked packed and the atmosphere looked brilliant. Given that the club is in it's infancy, it's nice to see it attracting support already and they're currently on a 4 match winning streak. However, Chris hasn't started a match since 31 March.

The guy that set up the club also owns the NFL side Atlanta Falcons and founded Home Depot so he knows what he's up to.

[tetsujin1979]

Pre season is under way in the US at the moment, McCann has featured in both of Atlanta's games to date, a 3-1 win over Nashville and a 3-1 loss earlier tonight to Columbus Crew. No sign of draft pick Jon Gallagher in either game

[tetsujin1979]

McCann interviewed in today's Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/atlanta-united-s-surreal-rise-draws-record-mls-crowds-1.3459979
Gallagher also features

[tetsujin1979]

McCann scored his first goal for Atlanta in a 2-2 draw with New York City FC
985660238178041856

[tetsujin1979]

Interviewed on the42.ie: http://www.the42.ie/chris-mccann-atlanta-united-mls-4114682-Jul2018/

[tetsujin1979]

Surprised there hasn't been more calls for McCann to be brought into the squad, he's playing regularly for Atlanta United, second in the Eastern Conference, a point behind New York Red Bulls with two games in hand

[samhaydenjr]

Surprised there hasn't been more calls for McCann to be brought into the squad, he's playing regularly for Atlanta United, second in the Eastern Conference, a point behind New York Red Bulls with two games in hand

True - he's definitely playing more of a part this season, with sixteen starts, compared to ten for the whole of last season - if Brady, McCarthy and Arter are still out when the next international window rolls around, perhaps he should be given a shot

[Colbert Report]

I know the MLS is very poor quality in comparison to the European leagues but McCann is having a great season and should definitely be considered for the squad. Atlanta are very exciting to watch and play extremely attacking football.

[tetsujin1979]

Named on the bench in the MLS Cup final
1071556871532748802

[irishfan86]

McCann was a starter for most of the season when fit, but suffered a quad injury in final match before playoffs.

He’s sort of reinvented himself as a left fullback/centre back although sometimes plays as a defensive mid.

I suspect if Atlanta takes the lead we’ll see him come on late to help solidify things. Real bad timing with that injury but hopefully he plays a part tonight.

[irishfan86]

Came on in stoppage time to help Atlanta hold its 2-0 lead. Still managed to get booked as he pulled off a professional foul to kill a Portland attack. Given all his injury problems I’m glad he got to be on the field for the final whistle and experience that moment. Really cool thing going on in Atlanta — more than 73,000 in the stands. Looked like a great atmosphere.

[tetsujin1979]

Good interview with him on the42.ie: https://www.the42.ie/chris-mccann-atlanta-united-2-4396688-Dec2018/

[tetsujin1979]

Released (or "waived") by Atlanta United: https://www.atlutd.com/post/2019/02/09/atlanta-united-waive-chris-mccann

[irishfan86]

Probably a victim of the salary cap and a change in manager. He’s definitely good enough to play in the league and start but in MLS the salary cap really puts an emphasis on value for money. Will be curious to see if anyone picks him up. May be now considered an overpaid left fullback rather than a potential central midfielder by managers around the league.

[nigel-harps1954]

Signed by DC United. Reports that Dundalk had sounded their interest before he signed to DC.

[tetsujin1979]

McCann was an unused sub for DC United's game of the new MLS seasons last night, against his previous club Atlanta United
No sign of Gallagher for Atlanta, and he was only involved in one game for their preseason

[tetsujin1979]

Scored his first goal for DC United recently in the US Open Cup. Goal here on 2:30
9rIeKmpC8wo

[tetsujin1979]

McCann was released by DC United a few days ago: https://www.dcunited.com/es/post/2019/07/31/dc-united-and-chris-mccann-mutually-part-ways

[tetsujin1979]

Signed a short term deal with Oldham: https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2019/october/18102019-mccann-signing/

[nigel-harps1954]

Signed for Shamrock Rovers today:

https://shamrockrovers.ie/2020/12/14/15633/

[seanfhear]

Signed for Shamrock Rovers today:

https://shamrockrovers.ie/2020/12/14/15633/
He might get some Ireland caps now !