MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Sets Initial 28-Man Roster for 2006 MLS Season

Published on March 6, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Monday, March 6, 2006) - The Chicago Fire has announced the 28-man roster that will kick off the club's ninth MLS season on Saturday, Apr. 1 at FC Dallas (3:00 p.m. CT, live on ABC). In trimming its roster down to the final 28 players, the squad made two transactions involving players that were on last year's season-ending roster, terminating the contract of forward Will Johnson and waiving midfielder Scott Buete.

"Setting a roster is never easy work, and the task was no different this season," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "The depth we acquired through the drafts made for some great competition for roster spots over the first month of preseason training. The 28-man roster we've assembled is balanced with tremendous veteran leadership and a core of young talent, and one we think has the caliber to bring championship trophies to Chicago this season."

The Fire made one addition to the club's 18-man senior roster, announcing the signing of its 2006 MLS SuperDraft first round selection forward Calen Carr. Carr is one of the six players the Fire chose in January's MLS SuperDraft and Supplemental Draft that made the final cut, along with defenders Jeff Curtin, Dasan Robinson and Jordan Russolillo and midfielders Floyd Franks and Brian Plotkin. Plotkin and Russolillo are two of seven players currently signed to the team's 10-man Developmental roster, joining goalkeeper David Mahoney, defenders Leonard Griffin and Jared Montz, midfielder Craig Capano and forward Chad Barrett. Curtin, Franks and Robinson have yet to have their contracts with the Fire finalized, however, the club maintains the rights to the three rookies after selecting them via the player drafts in January.

The 25-year-old Buete departs the Fire after two seasons with the squad in which he registered two assists across 21 League contests (12 starts). Buete started four of his eight matches in 2005, which was cut short after the University of Maryland product suffered a broken 5th metatarsal in his right foot during an MLS Reserve Division contest last August.

"We've seen great progress in Scott throughout his two years with the Fire, so it's unfortunate that the timing of the roster deadline didn't allow us to secure a Senior roster spot for him," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "He was a great young professional with our club since day one. I feel he still has a future ahead of him MLS and wish him all the best."

Johnson leaves the "Men in Red" after a rookie season of 2005 in which he started one of his six contests and scored one goal. The 19-year-old Johnson, a native of suburban Woodridge, IL, has represented Canada at both the youth and senior international levels.

"We are disappointed that Will is leaving the Fire," said Guppy. "We believe he could have had a bright future with our club, however, he was adamant about securing a Senior roster spot as opposed to a Developmental slot. When we looked at the depth of talent on our Senior roster, this was simply not a realistic option."

2006 Chicago Fire Roster (as of Mar. 6)

GK: David Mahoney (DEV), Matt Pickens, Zach Thornton

DEF: C.J. Brown, * Jeff Curtin, Jim Curtin, Leonard Griffin (DEV), Jared Montz (DEV), * Dasan Robinson, Jordan Russolillo (DEV), Tony Sanneh, Gonzalo Segares, Jack Stewart

MID: Chris Armas, Craig Capano (DEV), * Floyd Franks, Ivan Guerrero, Diego Gutierrez, Justin Mapp, Logan Pause, Brian Plotkin (DEV), Thiago, John Thorrington

FWD: Chad Barrett (DEV), Calen Carr, Andy Herron, Nate Jaqua, Chris Rolfe

DEV = Developmental Roster

* = Yet to sign contract with club

For a complete version of the Fire's 2006 roster, click on the following link:

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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