Peruvian-born midfielder wins Fire's tryout

Fabrizio Pittaluga, a Peruvian-born midfielder from Miami, emerged as the winner of the Chicago Fire's open tryout last month, team officials announced Wednesday.

Pittaluga, 22, traveled more 1,300 miles and beat out 160 players to get the chance to join the Fire for the first phase of preseason training camp in Ave Maria, Fla. beginning Jan. 20.

“Like any soccer player, this has always been my dream,” said Pittaluga. “The dream of playing, the possibility of earning a contract and getting to do it with a team in the country I've grown up in. It's a very surreal feeling and I'm really looking forward to the first day.”

Fire head coach Frank Klopas and his staff were impressed with the quality of talent in the two-day tryout.

“Over that time, Fabrizio's talent and skill came through,” Klopas said. “We're excited to have Fabrizio join the first team during training camp.”

Born in Lima, Peru, Pittaluga wasn't the only player with ties to other countries. In all, players from 10 countries took part in the tryout. Pittaluga emigrated to the United States with his family in 1991 and played for Miami Kendall FC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy from 2007-08. The holder of American, Peruvian and Italian passports, Pittaluga (6-foot, 160 pounds) has had training stints with Serie A side Cagliari Calcio's Primavera squad in 2007 before separate sessions with Peruvian clubs Sport Boys Association (2010) and Universidad Cesarvallejo (2010-11).