Chicago Fire select Matt Polster, Kingsley Bryce in 2015 MLS SuperDraft

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Jan. 15, 2015) – The Chicago Fire selected two players in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft Thursday in Philadelphia, Pa., selecting Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville midfielder/defender Matt Polster and Saint Louis University forward/midfielder Kingsley Bryce.

“We feel like these were good, strong pickups for us,” said Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “Matt was outstanding in the Combine. He’s very athletic, a versatile player. We see him as a center back right now. He was scouted by our staff and we liked him every time we saw him play. Kingsley plays in a position that we wanted to fill. He’s also a versatile player, can play wide right, and is a powerful player who had four good years at Saint Louis.”

Polster joins the Fire after a successful college career at SIU-Edwardsville. The 21-year-old split time as both a midfielder and a defender, starting all 79 matches in which he appeared, tallying six goals and 12 assists. A product of Las Vegas, Nev., Polster earned 2014 NSCAA All-West Region First Team, 2014 NSCAA Scholar All-American First Team, 2012 NSCAA All-Region First Team and 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors while in college. The 2010-11 Gatorade Nevada Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Polster made three appearances for the Chicago Fire PDL squad in 2014.

With the seventh selection in the second round, the Fire selected Saint Louis University forward/midfielder Kingsley Bryce. In 79 matches, Bryce concluded his collegiate career with 23 goals and 12 assists. The Plano, Texas product was named Second-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference and A-10 All-Championship team in 2013. In his junior season, Bryce recorded a team-high four game-winning goals, tied for the most in the conference. A graduate of Jesuit Prep in Dallas, Texas, Bryce helped the Rangers to the Texas 5A state championship in his senior year and a perfect 25-0 record.