Fire's Gutierrez signs for one more season

Posted February 04, 2008 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff

Veteran midfielder Diego Gutierrez has re-signed with the Chicago Fire for the 2008 MLS season, team officials announced Tuesday.

Gutierrez, 35, also announced that he will retire following this season.

Gutierrez, a Major League Soccer original, began his career with the Kansas City Wizards in 1996 before joining the Fire in their inaugural 1998 season. He returned to the Fire in January 2006 after four years with the Kansas City Wizards.

The Colombian-born midfielder has helped the Fire win the MLS Cup in 1998 and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2006, and helped Kansas City earn an Open Cup victory in 2004.

"This has been a very difficult decision to make; my family and I have thought about it and discussed it at length. It has been a fantastic career and I am looking forward to a successful season for myself and my teammates in 2008," said Gutierrez.

"Diego has been a consummate professional throughout his entire career and we are excited to have him back for the 2008 season," said Fire President and General Manager John Guppy.

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