advertisement

Neuqua Valley grad Ciesiulka, Fire get their wish

Unable to sign Bryan Ciesiulka to a homegrown player contract, the Chicago Fire hoped he would sneak through to the club in the MLS SuperDraft.

Ciesiulka, a member of the Fire’s youth development academy who grew up in Naperville and played for Neuqua Valley High School, has wanted to play for the Fire’s first team.

Both got their wish Tuesday when the Fire picked the central midfielder in the fourth round with the 75th overall pick. Ciesiulka said he is committed to giving Major League Soccer a try.

“It feels great,” Ciesiulka said. “It’s something you dream of as a little kid, so it’s pretty cool that it worked out.

“There’s a little interest overseas, but I always wanted to stay in MLS and play for the Fire first and foremost.”

Ciesiulka, a 5-foot-4 Marquette graduate, still has to earn a roster spot with the Fire. The team reports to Toyota Park on Saturday before heading to Ave Maria, Fla., on Sunday to start preseason training.

“You have to go in with confidence,” Ciesiulka said. “I think I’m good enough to make any team in MLS.”

Also in the fourth round, the Fire chose midfielder Zach Bolden from the University of Denver and midfielder Kadeem Dacres from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County.

The Fire drafted right back Marco Franco in the first round of the draft Thursday. It did not have any picks in the second or third rounds.

The Fire earlier this month signed Lake Forest native Harry Shipp and Winnetka’s Chris Ritter to homegrown player contracts. Both are midfielders, though Shipp also can play forward.

ŸFollow Orrin on Twitter @orrin_schwarz

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.