Austin Berry

One of the top young center backs in the country, Austin Berry joined the team as the Fire’s 2012 first round SuperDraft selection. Only the third Chicago Fire rookie to score in his debut, Berry earned his first start May 4 and went on the play every single minute for the remainder of the season en route to 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year honors, garnering more than 50 percent of club and media votes. A dangerous presence on set pieces, Berry provides the Men in Red with an aerial threat with this ability to score off headers. Now with a full season as a professional and two weeks of experience gained from training with La Liga side Atletico Madrid in the offseason, Berry returns to anchor the solid Fire backline in 2013.

2012: Started all 28 MLS Regular Season matches in which he appeared…Made his professional debut, earning the start against CHV 5/4…Became just the third rookie in Fire history to score in his debut, directing his volley past Chivas USA ‘keeper Dan Kennedy in the 25th minute of a 2-1 win at CHV 5/4…Scored off a header in the 72nd minute of a 2-1 loss to CLB 5/26…Scored the game-winning header in the 84th minute in a 2-1 win against TFC 8/4…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Started and played 49 minutes in the Fire’s 2-3 overtime loss to the Michigan Bucks 5/29…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Started and played the first half of the1-0 loss to Aston Villa 7/21...MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: Started five matches for the Fire reserves.

College
2010, 2011: All-Big East Conference First Team
2011: NSCAA All-American Third Team
2010: Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year; NSCAA All-American Second Team
2009: Granted a medical redshirt after a season-ending injury

High School
Summit Country Day School (2007)
2006: All-Ohio First Team
Also lettered three years in basketball

Personal
Graduated with a B.A. in Communications
Grandfather played professional baseball after playing at the University of Cincinnati