CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 22, 2013) – With three selections in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft the Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquired defender John Gallagher (30th overall), goalkeeper James Belshaw (49th overall) and Caleb Konstanski (68th overall). Between the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft, the Fire have added four players to their preseason training camp roster.
“We selected three players in John, James and Caleb that we feel can come and compete for a place on our roster,” said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “These three players have performed very well during their collegiate careers and we’re looking forward to having them join us during preseason.”
Gallagher, a 5’10” left back joins the Fire from Penn State University where he made 54 appearances during four seasons with the Nittany Lions from 2009-12. A Manhattan, N.Y. product, Gallagher helped the Nittany Lions concede just 15 goals in 16 games, posting seven shutouts. His senior season Gallagher was named First Team All-Big Ten and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region second team. Prior to his collegiate career, Gallagher was honored as the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Player of the Year in 2006 for his play at Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, N.Y.
Belshaw joins the Fire from Duke University where he was a four-year starter for the Blue Devils. In 77 appearances, Belshaw, tallied 21 career shutouts, good for third in Duke history. During his 2012 senior season, Belshaw posted eight shutouts en route to NSCAA All-American third team honors, Scholar All-American first team honors and was named to the NSCAA All-South Region first team. A product of Nottingham, England, Belshaw has reached the fourth round of the FA Cup with Walsall FC where they fell to English Premier League giants Chelsea.
A captain of the 2012 National Champion Indiana University, Konstanski brings four years of experience to the Fire after leading the Hoosier defense. The Bloomington, Ind. product started 70 of the 76 matches in which he played for the Hoosiers, scoring three goals and adding two assists. After winning the national championship his senior season, Konstanski was named to the 2012 College Cup All-Tournament team and Second Team All-Big Ten.
All three of Tuesday’s Supplemental Draft picks are expected to join the first team in the coming days during the club’s preseason training camp in Ave Maria, Fla.
