MLS Chicago Fire FC

Frank Klopas Selected to 2004 "Ring of Fire"

Published on May 11, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, May 11, 2004) - The Chicago Fire today announced that former Chicago Fire and Chicago Sting forward Frank Klopas has joined Peter Nowak as the second inductee into the "Ring of Fire," the Fire's annual tribute. Last year's inaugural inductee, Peter Nowak - former Fire captain and current DC United Head Coach - was in charge of the selection. Klopas will be formally inducted into the "Ring of Fire" in a ceremony prior to the Fire-DC United contest on Saturday, June 5 at Soldier Field.

"I am truly touched with this honor. It almost brought tears to my eyes," said Klopas. "When I was a kid, all I dreamt about was being a professional soccer player and playing at the highest level. I never thought about being honored after I retired and to have something like this done and to be a part of Chicago soccer history forever is an honor. I'm blessed to be placed next to Peter Nowak - one of the greatest players in the world - and next to the players who will follow and forever be a part of Fire history."

Klopas established himself as one of Chicago's most successful homegrown talents during a professional career that spanned 16 years. Born Fotios Klopas, Frank immigrated to America with his family from Athens, Greece as a child and would hone his playing skills in Chicago, where he starred for Mather High School on the city's Northwest side. Nicknamed "The Kid," Klopas began his professional career as one at the age of 17 after signing on with the hometown Chicago Sting of the North American Soccer League upon his graduation from Mather High School. A broken leg kept him from playing with the Sting during its final season as an outdoor club, but Klopas stayed with the club upon its move to the Major Indoor Soccer League and scored an impressive 110 points (62 goals, 48 assists) during his four seasons with the squad, which included an appearance in the MISL All-Star Game during the 1986-87 season.

Klopas would move back to Greece to continue his professional career in 1988, when he joined famed Greek First Division powerhouse AEK Athens. Klopas scored six goals in 49 career matches with AEK Athens and would help the side to two appearances in the European Cup and a pair of berths in the UEFA Cup in 1989 and 1991 during his four seasons of play. Klopas would spend the 1994-95 season with Apollon of the Greek First Division before signing with Major League Soccer to play in America's new top flight league.

"Frank was a very important link between the two eras of American soccer, winning an NASL championship with the Chicago Sting and scoring two goals in the home opener with the new Chicago Fire before leading the Fire to a 'double,' scoring the overtime game-winner in the 1998 U.S. Open Cup final against Columbus," said Nowak. "As a member of the coaching staff, he helped us win a second U.S. Open Cup in 2000. Frank was a leader, both on and off of the field, and, as a member of the Fireworks for Kids Foundation, continues to assist the youth community throughout the Chicago-land area. As the first Ring of Fire inductee, I welcome Frank Klopas with this honor."

Klopas spent his first two seasons in MLS with the Kansas City Wizards, where he scored 25 points (7g, 11a) in 49 games during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. After the expansion Chicago Fire was born in 1998, Klopas was signed by the club and given a chance to end his professional career in where it began -- his hometown. "Kid" Klopas would play 40 games and score 17 points on six goals and five assists for the "Men in Red" during the 1998 and '99 seasons. Klopas ended the Fire's inaugural season in dramatic fashion with what still ranks as one of the club's most memorable moments on October 30, 1998, as his "golden goal" in overtime gave Chicago a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew in front of a rabid hometown crowd at Soldier Field. The victory gave the Fire its first of three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Championships in addition to capping off a historic "double" for the squad in its first campaign.

"Peter made a terrific selection. Frank has been an important member of the Fire's organization on and off the field since our inception and he displays the Ring of Fire qualities of dedication, integrity and leadership very well," said Fire GM Peter Wilt. "I look forward to seeing Frank's name unveiled next to Peter's at Soldier Field on June 5."

Klopas also enjoyed success at the international level for the U.S. National Team, with whom he made 40 career appearances for from 1987-1998. Klopas scored 12 career goals for the "Stars-and-Stripes," which ranks him in 10th place on the U.S.A.'s all-time scoring chart. Klopas would register one of the most productive years in U.S. MNT history when he scored 10 goals in 13 matches in 1994, leading to his being named to the 1994 U.S. World Cup squad. Klopas spurred the U.S. Senior side to a surprising run to the semifinals of the 1995 Copa America tournament in Uruguay by notching the game-winning goal in a 3-0 victory over Argentina - in what was then considered as one of the biggest wins in team history - and followed up that performance by tallying the game-winning penalty kick for the Americans over Mexico after a 0-0 draw.

The "Ring of Fire" tribute was created last year in an effort to honor members of the team who have made the Chicago Fire a successful organization and displayed the qualities of leadership, dedication and integrity.

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