August 13, 2012
GOING DUTCH
Pappa to leave Fire at season’s end

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill---The Chicago Fire is going to be losing the spark of its midfield at the end of the season, as Marco Pappa has signed a pre-contract with Dutch Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen and will join the club when the transfer window opens January 1, 2013. The Fire will retain Pappa’s MLS rights.

Pappa joined the Fire on loan from CSD Municipal on July 30, 2008 and was signed on Dec. 3, 2009. The Guatemala City, Guatemala product has started 100 of the 110 MLS Regular Season games in which he appeared for the team, scoring 26 goals and adding 14 assists. Pappa is currently tied for fourth in the club's all-time goal scoring chart.

The 24-year-old’s play in Chicago led to his international debut with Guatemala in a 1-0 loss to the United States in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Aug. 20, 2008. Pappa has since scored five goals while earning 28 international caps for Guatemala. Pappa and Guatemala will take on Paraguay in a friendly at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. CT.