MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Loan Three Players to Tulsa Roughnecks

Published on March 20, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire has loaned Joey Calistri, Matej Dekovic and Collin Fernandez to USL affiliate Tulsa Roughnecks. Per the Right of Recall incorporated in the two agreements, the Fire retain the right to recall the players at any point during the MLS regular season, subject to MLS roster compliance guidelines.

Calistri signed a Homegrown contract with the Fire on Dec. 17, 2015 after serving as a four-year starter for Northwestern, where he finished as the No. 2 leading goal-scorer in program history. The Deerfield, Ill. native made his professional debut in the 2016 season opener on March 6 when he entered in the 81st minute. Calistri made 14 appearances in his rookie campaign and scored his first professional goal against the Colorado Rapids on June 18.

A defender hailing from Zagreb, Croatia, Dekovic was selected in the fourth round (69th overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where he appeared in 57 games for the 49ers over the course of three seasons, scoring five goals and adding eight assists. A Conference USA All-Freshman Team honoree in 2014, Dekovic garnered NSCAA First Team All-Southeast Region, First Team All-Conference USA and NCCSIA First Team All-State accolades in 2016.

Fernandez signed a Homegrown contract on Aug. 28, 2014 and was added to the roster in 2015. A Fire Juniors youth product, Fernandez joined the first Under-14 Academy program at the age of thirteen and has played for the Academy on the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams. From Downers Grove, Ill., Fernandez has recently taken part in Peruvian U-20 Men's National Team camps.

In their penultimate preseason match, the Roughnecks defeated Saint Louis FC 3-0 on Saturday. Calistri started and featured for 65 minutes, Fernandez started before exiting in the 75th minute and Dekovic entered the match in the 78th minute.

The Roughnecks close out preseason on March 21 with a closed-door scrimmage against Oklahoma Wesleyan University before opening USL play on March 25 when they host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at ONEOK Field at 7 p.m. CT.

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