Chicago Fire Select Four Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft
January 17, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 17, 2012) - With four selections in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft the Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquired forward Evans Frimpong (9th overall), goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski (15th overall) midfielder Tony Walls (47th overall) and defender Justin Chavez (66th overall). Between the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, the Fire have added seven players to their preseason training camp roster.
"We've taken four players in Evans, Carl, Tony and Justin that we feel can come in and challenge for a roster spot," said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. "All four players have performed well at the collegiate ranks and we're looking forward to welcoming them into training camp this week in Florida."
Frimpong, a 5-9 forward, comes to the Fire from the University of Delaware where he tallied 15 goals and six assists during two seasons with the Blue Hens from 2010-11. Leading Delaware to the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship during his senior season, Frimpong was also named an NSCAA second team All-American as well as a semifinalist for the MAC-Herman trophy in 2011. Prior to heading to Newark, the Accra, Ghana product played for NAIA outfit University of Texas-Brownsville where he appeared in 18 matches, tallying eight goals and three assists during the 2009 season.
Woszczynski, a 6-5, 210-pound goalkeeper, comes to the Fire from the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he made 63 appearances, tallying 18 clean sheets and a 35-18-7 all-time record for the Blazers from 2007-11. A 2011 NSCAA Scholar All-American, the Columbus, Ind. product helped UAB to the Conference USA regular season title as well as the school's first NCAA tournament berth during his senior season.
Walls, a 5-11, 185-pound midfielder, was selected by the Fire from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where he recorded 18 goals and 11 assists over 79 appearances from 2008-11. A third-team NSCAA All-Region selection in 2011, Walls tallied seven goals and five assists over 19 games during his senior season, en route to being named the Horizon League Player of the Year. An alumnus of the Chicago Fire Premier, Walls tallied a goal and assist in 12 appearances for the side during the 2010 USL Premier Development League campaign.
Chavez, a 5-11, 170-pound defender was picked by the Fire from the University of Tulsa where he tallied five goals and four assists in 77 matches for the Golden Hurricane from 2008-11. The Edmond, Okla. Product comes to the club having been named a two-time NSCAA All-Region honoree as well as a two-time Conference USA first team selections from 2010-11.
All four of Tuesday's Supplemental Draft picks are expected to join the first team with the opening of preseason training camp Friday, January 20 in Ave Maria, Fla.
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