MLS Chicago Fire FC

19-Year-Old Midfielder and U.S. Under-20 Standout Justin Mapp Signs Multiyear Contract with Chicago

March 22, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Monday, March 22, 2004) - The Chicago Fire announced today that midfielder Justin Mapp has signed a long-term deal with Major League Soccer to remain a member of the Chicago Fire through the end of the 2008 MLS season. Per MLS policy, financial terms of the agreement were not announced.

"I'm very excited to be able to stay in Chicago and in MLS for several more years," said Mapp. "It shows that the team and the league have confidence in me. I hope to take advantage of this opportunity. The Fire is an excellent organization and Chicago is a great place to be. Last year I was given the chance to play and that helped me develop my skills and build up my confidence. This year I hope I can contribute a little more."

At just 19 years of age, Mapp has already impressed his teammates and opposition alike with his versatility, raw speed and poise on the ball. After being acquired by the Fire in a trade with D.C. United on December 26, 2002, Mapp played an important role in Chicago's run to the MLS Supporters Shield, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Eastern Conference titles in 2003.

"It is very important to the future of Major League Soccer that we secure the rights to talented young players like Justin," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "The mutual commitment of Justin and the Fire will go a long way in ensuring each other's mutual success through 2008."

Mapp was called upon by Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan to man both the left and right flanks in the Fire midfield, and the versatile midfielder responded with a breakout performance by registering nine points on three goals and three assists in 21 games (18 starts) in his first full MLS season. Mapp played in only three games with D.C. United during his rookie campaign in 2002 and total only 28 minutes of playing time.

"We're very excited about having a young player like Justin on board with us for future years," said Sarachan. "We feel he's one of the top talents, for his age, in this league and we feel that he'll be an important part of our progress as we move into this year and future years."

After making his Fire debut in last year's season opener against New England on Apr. 13, Mapp quickly became a regular in the Chicago line-up. In addition to being a handful for defenders to track down, Mapp also showed the ability to come through in the clutch as the budding star registered one game-winning goal and a pair of game-winning assists in 2003. Mapp earned his game-winning tally on June 19 against New England, but he saved his game-winning helpers for play in the Fire's two Cup competitions. Mapp notched his first-ever game-winning assist in U.S. Open Cup play on Aug. 6, a 4-1 win at Milwaukee in the fourth round of the competition, but he saved his best for the final game at Soldier Field in 2003 on Nov. 14, when he sent in a cross versus New England in overtime of the MLS Eastern Conference that Chris Armas finished in the 101st minute, sending the Fire to its third MLS Cup Final in six seasons.

Mapp has also polished his soccer skills against the world's best competition after competing for several U.S. Youth National Teams since joining the program with the Under-16 Boys' National Team as a 14-year-old in 1999. Mapp's first major international experience came when he was the second youngest player named to the U.S. U-17 roster - above only current teammate Craig Capano - that participated in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championships in Trinidad & Tobago. As an 18-year-old, Mapp also started on the U.S. U-20 team that qualified for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships during the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Charleston, S.C. in November of 2002. Mapp was rewarded by earning a starting role in all five matches for the U.S. in the 2003 World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates, in which the U.S. won a record three games en route to a spot in the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament.

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