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January 24, 2006
TRADING AN ORIGINAL
Fire Sends Jesse Marsch to Chivas USA
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Jesse Marsch has packed his bags and is ready to join Chivas USA in Los Angeles. After eight years with the Fire, Marsch moves on.
Linda Cuttone / Sports Vue Images |
CHICAGO – After being a member of the Fire’s midfield since its inaugural season in 1998, Jesse Marsch is moving on. The Fire announced today it traded the rights to Marsch to Chivas USA for the team’s first round selection in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. He will reunite with Coach Bob Bradley, who coached Marsch at Princeton and the Fire.
Marsch spent eight seasons in Chicago where he secured a position in the midfield. His longevity and determination left him at or near the top in several of the Fire's career statistical categories, numbers that include 200 games played (1st), 182 games started (3rd), 16,300 minutes played (3rd), 29 assists (4th), 151 shots (5th) and 19 goals (6th). Marsch leaves Chicago after helping the "Men in Red" to victory in all four of its domestic championships - the 1998 MLS Cup and 1998, 2000 and 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups - and was the only member of the Fire to take the field in all seven of its domestic Cup final appearances.
"Jesse's dedication to the Chicago Fire has served as a shining example to every player on the squad," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "On behalf of the Fire, I want to thank Jesse for eight unforgettable seasons with the club and wish him the best of luck with Chivas USA."
Prior to joining the Fire, Marsch began his 10-year Major League Soccer career with a two-year stint (1996-97) at D.C. United, where he scored four goals and added three assists across 15 League matches (1 start). The Racine, WI native garnered three domestic titles with the "Black-and-Red" (MLS Cups '96 and '97 and the 1996 U.S. Open Cup), beginning a collection of seven championship rings he has won in his career (three MLS Cup, four U.S. Open Cup), the most of any player in the MLS era. During his MLS career, Marsch has compiled 23 goals and 32 assists in 215 League contests, including 183 starts. Marsch's 215 appearances are the 12th most in MLS annals and seventh among active players, while his 183 starts and 16,325 minutes played currently rank 20th all-time in League history. In addition, Marsch made one appearance for the U.S. Men's National Team on Nov. 11, 2001, serving as a substitute in the U.S.'s 0-0 draw at Trinidad & Tobago. Marsch will be reunited at Chivas USA with former Fire boss Bob Bradley, who also served as Marsch's coach at Princeton University, where he played four standout seasons for the Tigers from 1992-95.
"It would be impossible to measure the positive influence that Jesse has had on our club, both on the field and off," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "I've known Jesse on a personal and professional level for some years, and this decision did not come easily. Although his leadership and experience will be missed, we felt it was the right time to make this decision. I want to wish Jesse all the best as he moves on with his career in soccer."
During his eight seasons with the Fire, Marsch was just as productive off the field as he was on it. A board member of the Fire's charitable arm - the FireWorks for Kids Foundation - since the 2003 season, Marsch has garnered several accolades for his work throughout the Chicagoland community, including the 2004 and 2005 Fire/U.S. Soccer Federation Humanitarian of the Year honors, the 2004 and 2005 Sports Profiles Plus Humanitarian of the Year awards and the 2004 Fox Sports Chicago/March of Dimes Fire Player of the Year award. In addition to his work with the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, Marsch has donated countless hours of his time to charitable organizations such as the American Lung Association, the Gurnee branch of the PADS homeless shelter and Thresholds.
"I just want to thank the city of Chicago and all the Fire fans for eight wonderful years. My family has really enjoyed the time here and my kids were born here, so I'll always have a place for Chicago in my heart," said Marsch. "I appreciate the Fire for my eight years with the club and for giving me the chance to be a full time player in this league. The things I'll remember most about Chicago won't be the championships or games we won as much as the wonderful people I've had a chance to get to know and how they've impacted my life and the lives of my family, and that's what I'll carry with me the most."
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