BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(Jan. 24, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it has agreed to terms with wingers Cristian Martinez and Amando Moreno. Martinez is under contract for the 2019 season with a Club option for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Moreno is under contract for the 2019 season with a Club option for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons.
“Though still young players, Cristian and Amando already have valuable experience and each has shown very good qualities in the attacking third,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodriguez. “They add competition and versatility to our attack.”
Originally selected by the Fire as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft, Martinez, 21, spent the last three seasons in MLS with Columbus Crew SC, making 27 appearances (14 starts) in league play and one postseason appearance. In 2018, Martinez made 14 appearances (11 starts) with Crew SC, tallying two assists.
At the international level, Martinez has earned seven caps for the Panama National Team in senior competitions. Martinez made his international debut for Panama’s senior team in a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Feb. 18, 2016.
“Amando and Cristian showed a lot of quality in their time with their former clubs, which was something that captured our attention,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club Head Coach Veljko Paunovic. “They both have attacking qualities that we will be able to rely on. We are excited to work with them because we believe that there is a high ceiling for their development.”
The Fire originally acquired Moreno’s MLS rights from the New York Red Bulls during the 2019 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for the No. 32 overall pick. Moreno, 23, has played in over 50 league games at the professional level since beginning his career as a Homegrown Player with the New York Red Bulls in 2013.
Additionally, Moreno made two appearances for the U-20 U.S. Men’s National Team in 2015. Following his appearances with the U-20s, he earned a call in to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s training camp in May of 2016.
Transaction: Chicago Fire Soccer Club agrees to terms with wingers Cristian Martinez and Amando Moreno on Jan. 24, 2019.
Name: Cristian Martinez
Position: Winger
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 174 lbs.
Date of Birth: Feb. 6, 1997
Birthplace: Panama City, Panama
Citizenship: Panama
Last Club: Columbus Crew SC
Name: Amando Moreno
Position: Winger
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145
Date of Birth: Sept. 10, 1995
Birthplace: Perth Amboy, N.J.
Citizenship: United States of America
Last Club: New York Red Bulls II
