Fire Acquires U.S. U-23 National Team Standout Goalkeeper D.J. Countess
February 20, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO, IL (Friday, February 20, 2004) - The Chicago Fire executed a trade today with the Dallas Burn, acquiring U.S. Under-23 National Team goalkeeper D.J. Countess in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. With the signing of Countess, the Fire now has three goalkeepers vying for the starting position after Zach Thornton's departure last month.
Countess, 22, will join the Fire in Portugal this weekend for the team's second leg of the preseason. The U.S. Project-40 player will see his first action as a member of the "Men in Red."
"I'm very fortunate to be coming to Chicago," said Countess. "I can't think of a better place to go. This deal has been in the works for quite some time and I'm just relieved that it's worked out. The Fire has been very fortunate to put itself in such a great position, winning four championships and now competing in the Champions Cup as well. I'm really just very excited to being a part of Chicago's enormous success.
"I'm aware that the starting position is up for grabs and nothing's set in stone, but I'm going to work hard and perform to the best of my abilities to earn it. I've never won a championship and I love being a part of big games. I thrive off of competition, and I have to prove to the coaches and the staff that I can do this. Beyond that, I'm really looking forward to being in Chicago and having those phenomenal Chicago supporters behind my back for a change. Hopefully they'll be helping me out this year."
The Sacramento, California native arrives in Chicago after a stellar performance with the U.S. Under-23 National Team during the 2004 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this month in Mexico. He started and played in all three matches during the Final Round of qualifying and helped the squad advance to the semifinals of the tournament. Countess was named the Chevrolet Man of the Match on Feb. 10 in the semifinals match against Mexico, as the U.S. bowed to its neighboring country 4-0.
"We're excited to have arguably one of the top young American goalkeepers join the Chicago Fire organization," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "With Henry Ring, Matt Pickens and now D.J., we have a very solid core of goalkeepers. D.J. logged a lot of MLS minutes with Dallas and has international experience at the different levels of the youth National Team system. We feel he will compete well for the top spot."
In his three-year MLS tenure, Countess has appeared in 25 games (starting all) -all with Dallas, compiling a 5-16-4 record, two shutouts and registering 2293 minutes. He appeared in only one game in 2002, but earned the starting goalkeeper spot for the Burn in 2003, starting 24 of the team's 30 games. He was voted the team Defender of the Year after finishing the season with 115 saves - ranking fourth in the MLS goalkeeping charts. He rewrote the MLS history books on 10-11-03 @ MetroStars, when he made two penalty kick saves, helping the Burn to a 0-0 draw.
"DJ is a very talented young player and we look forward to having him in Chicago, where we expect him to develop his skills," said Fire GM Peter Wilt.
Countess began his MLS career after being acquired by the MetroStars on August 7, 2001 in a weighted lottery among MLS teams, but he did not appear in any MLS matches during his rookie season, when he served as a back-up to Tim Howard. Countess was traded to the Burn on March 13, 2002 along with a 2003 second-round draft pick for Winston Griffiths and a 2003 first-round draft pick. He made his MLS debut in 2002, starting and playing all 100 min. on July 6 at Kansas City, helping the team to a 1-1 draw. However, Countess was lost for the season in mid-July after undergoing surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his left shoulder.
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Major League Soccer Stories from February 20, 2004
- Galaxy travel to France for three preseason matches - LA Galaxy
- Galaxy single game tickets on sale Saturday at noon - LA Galaxy
- Crew acquires David Testo from Richmond - Columbus Crew SC
- Fire Acquires U.S. U-23 National Team Standout Goalkeeper D.J. Countess - Chicago Fire FC
- Burn Trades Goalkeeper DJ Countess To Chicago - FC Dallas
- Galaxy sign midfielder Cobi Jones - LA Galaxy
- Crew home opener: 43 days and counting - Columbus Crew SC
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