Joining the Fire in August of the 2008 season, the Fire enjoyed having Brian McBride for an entire season of play in 2009. The 2009 Chicago Fire Most Valuable Player selection began the season with six goals through the first 16 games of the season, before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder for a labral tear. While the doctors anticipated a 3-4 month recovery time, the veteran returned to play just eight weeks later and immediately continued to contribute to the Fire attack with an assist on the club's match against Columbus on Sept. 20th. McBride added another goal to his total after scoring against Toronto FC on Sept. 26th, helping the Fire tie the game, and earning the Chicago Fire Golden Boot title as well. McBride finished the season with seven goals through 22 games played, missing just eight games due to his shoulder surgery. The team posted a record of 7-4-11 with McBride on the field.2009 Chicago Fire Defender of the Year: Wilman Conde
Chicago Fire Colombian international defender Wilman Conde appeared in 19 games and recorded 18 starts this season, helping the Fire tie a team record for shutouts with 10. Not only was Conde an important part of the Fire defense, but also supplied two goals and two assists while supporting the attack. Conde's two goals were during integral scenarios - scoring the Fire's lone goal in the 1-1 tie against New England on May 9 and the game-winning against the Colorado Rapids on July 4 on the road.
2008 USSF/M.L.S. W.O.R.K.S Fire Humanitarian of the Year: Logan Pause
Midfielder Logan Pause, a seven-year MLS veteran from Hillsborough, N.C., has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout the 2009 season. He has donated his time to charitable organizations including the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Garth Brooks Foundation and the Joshua Center in Chicago. His off-the-field work of mentoring local youth and participating in community outreach, grassroots and charity events demonstrates his compassion for others in need. As a spokesperson for the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program, which provides children in urban economically disadvantaged areas with soccer equipment, he has regularly participated in local Passback clinics speaking to kids about wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As a Chicago Fire representative at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Chicago-area luncheon this summer, Pause spoke with children about leadership and mentoring on and off the field. Pause also volunteered this year with the Joshua Center in Chicago. The center is dedicated to providing support to women in crisis by focusing on emergency and long term needs in order to help them break the cycle of homelessness, addiction and abuse. His contributions to the Chicagoland community were recognized this season when the Chicago Fire Foundation (CFF) added him to its ranks. In this capacity, Pause helped choose which organizations would benefit from more than $100,000 in grants made by the CFF. Pause also joined his teammates to help raise more than $60,000 at the Foundation's annual luncheon and another $30,000 from the Frank Klopas annual golf outing.
Pause also earned the prestigious 2009 U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Award, sharing the honor with Kansas City Wizards player Jimmy Conrad.
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