Fire trade midfielder Justin Mapp to Philadelphia Union

The Chicago Fire has traded midfielder Justin Mapp to the Philadelphia Union for an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

Mapp, 25, came to the Fire in December 2003 in a trade with D.C. United for Dema Kovalenko after being drafted fourth overall by United in 2002. He scored 14 goals and added 36 assists in 174 appearances for the Fire.

But Mapp never seemed to reach his potential, despite an occasional call into the national team camp, most recently in 2007. Mapp is in the third year of a four-year contract extension. He was earning a base salary of $245,000, according to MLS Players Association records, third on the team behind Brian McBride and just-signed Designated Player Nery Castillo, a forward/midfielder.

The Fire is 4-5-5 at the All-Star break, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The trade leaves the Fire with an open spot on its roster to acquire another player, and technical director Frank Klopas said last week the club is looking into obtaining another Designated Player or two.

Klopas was not available for comment Monday, but in a team press release he stated, "We would like to thank Justin for his contributions to the Chicago Fire and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."