Fire releases Naperville's Plotkin

A week after making headlines by signing a local soccer star (Brian McBride of Arlington Heights), the Chicago Fire waived another local soccer star, defender Brian Plotkin of Naperville.

Plotkin had appeared in one MLS game this season, playing 90 minutes at FC Dallas on June 15. Overall, he played in 23 career games (10 starts) for the Fire since being drafted by the club in 2006.

Plotkin was drafted by the Fire after accumulating 21 goals and 34 assists during his standout four-year career at Indiana University, where he helped the Hoosiers to consecutive NCAA College Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. As a senior, he was voted Big Ten Player of the Year in 2005 and was an All-Big 10 firt-team performer for third consecutive season.

As a teenager, Plotkin layed for Chicago Sockers FC and helped the Sockers FC U-16 win a national title in 2001. He attended Naperville North High Schooland was a Parade Magazine All-American during his senior season in 2001.