CHICAGO(Dec. 31, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC today announced it has signed defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda to a multiyear contract extension that will keep him under contract through the 2023 season with a Club option for the 2024 season. Pineda, who signed a Homegrown Player contract on Jan. 17, recently earned his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team and was named the Fire’s 2020 Defensive Player of the Year.
“Mauricio’s potential was clear from the time he joined the team and he continued to show progress throughout a successful rookie campaign,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “He is a fundamental piece of the future for this Club and we are excited to secure him long-term as he continues to develop.”
In his rookie season with the Club, the Bolingbrook, Ill. native registered a team-high 2,022 minutes. With 23 starts in 2020, Pineda became the first Homegrown Player in Fire history to start every match of his rookie season. Pineda scored three goals, including the game-winner in the Fire’s 2-1 win against 2019 MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 14, and recorded two assists.
Prior to joining the first team, Pineda featured for the Fire Academy, helping the Club win the National Championship in 2015. Additionally, he spent four years playing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning All-ACC honors all four years.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC re-sign defender/midfielder Mauricio Pineda to a three-year contract extension with a Club option for the 2024 season.
