CHICAGO (July 15, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has exercised the 2021 contract option on defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda.
Pineda, 22, is under contact with the Fire through the 2021 season with Club options for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
“Mauricio quickly impressed our staff at the beginning of the season and has continued to prove himself each day during an unusual first professional season,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We’re always proud to see one of our Homegrown Players succeed with the first team, and Mauricio has shown that he is capable of competing at a very high level. We are confident that he will continue to work hard and build on his strong start.”
In his rookie season with the Club, Pineda has started and played 90 minutes in each of the Fire’s first three matches to start the 2020 campaign. In the Fire’s first competitive match since March 7, the Bolingbrook, Ill., native scored the game-winning goal and provided an assist to help lead Chicago to a 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS is Back Tournament on Tuesday.
The Fire originally signed Pineda to a Homegrown Player contract on Jan. 17. Prior to joining the first team, Pineda featured for the Fire Academy, helping the Club win the National Championship in 2015. Additionally, he spent four years playing with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning All-ACC honors all four years.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC exercises the 2021 contract option on defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda.
