CHICAGO (Jan. 30, 2017) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that the club has signed 2017 MLS SuperDraft picks Daniel Johnson and Stefan Cleveland. Both Johnson and Cleveland are signed for the 2017 season with club options for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Johnson joins the Men in Red from the University of Louisville. In two seasons with the Cardinals, the midfielder appeared in 41 games over the course of two seasons, scoring seven goals and adding five assists. In his freshman and sophomore seasons, Johnson appeared in 23 matches for the University of Maryland before transferring to Louisville. A native of Duluth, Ga., Johnson played for the West Ham Academy from 2009-2012.
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In the second round of the SuperDraft the Fire selected Cleveland, a goalkeeper, 26th overall. Also from the University of Louisville, Cleveland appeared in 22 games for the Cardinals in 2016 and earned 10 shutouts en route to a .72 goals against average. A Dayton, Ohio native, Cleveland spent his first three collegiate seasons at Dartmouth, where he appeared in 33 games and earned 16 shutouts, and was named 2015 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.
College Highlights: Johnson | Cleveland
Transaction: Chicago Fire sign midfielder Daniel Johnson and goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland on Jan. 30, 2017.
Player: Daniel Johnson
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 140 pounds
Date of Birth: Sept. 8, 1995
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
Citizenship: USA
College: University of Louisville
Player: Stefan Cleveland
Pronunciation: STEF-in
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 pounds
Date of Birth: May 25, 1994
Hometown: Dayton, OH
Citizenship: USA
College: University of Louisville
Twitter:@stef_cleveland
