CHICAGO (Jan. 15, 2024) â Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has signed goalkeeper Bryan Dowd to a first team contract. Dowd, who was selected by the Fire as the No. 6 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, is under contract through the 2024 season with Club options for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
âWe are very happy to have Bryan back at the Chicago Fire to begin his professional career,â said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. âThe goalkeeper position has always been a source of pride for the Club, and we believe Bryan has a bright future with the Fire organization. We look forward to working with him to reach his potential.â
Dowd, 21, was originally selected by the Fire as the No. 6 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft 2024. A native of Willow Springs, Ill., Dowd, 21, started all matches (21) in which he played for Notre Dame in 2023. Dowd led Notre Dame to the 2023 NCAA Menâs Soccer Championship, allowing only one goal in the tournament, before falling 2-1 to Clemson on Dec. 11.
In the 2023-24 season, Dowd posted a career-best .699 goals-against average and was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy as the only goalkeeper on the list. Following the 2023 season, Dowd was named the Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year, making him the first goalkeeper in the publicationâs history to earn the honor. In addition to playing as the universityâs starting goalkeeper, he also served as back-up kicker for the Notre Dame Football team.
Dowd was a member of the Chicago Fire Academy and Chicago FC United prior to joining the Fighting Irish. At the international level, Dowd has represented the U.S. U-17 Menâs Youth National Team.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC sign Bryan Dowd to a first team contract. Dowd is under contract through 2024 with Club option for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Name: Bryan Dowd
Position: Goalkeeper
College: Notre Dame
Height: 6-3
Weight: 175 lbs.
Date of Birth: March 8, 2002
Birthplace: Oak Park, Ill.
Hometown: Willow Springs, Ill.
Previous club: University of Notre Dame
