CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire today announced the signing of midfielder Andy Rosenband to the squad's developmental roster. Since Rosenband had a previous stint in Major League Soccer, the Fire selected the 24-year-old midfielder after he was made available to all teams in the waiver draft. The Fire acquired Rosenband via a loan deal from the Major Indoor Soccer League's California Cougars for the remainder of the 2005 MLS season, with the League also holding an option to purchase the midfielder's contract for the 2006 campaign. The addition of Rosenband rounds out the Fire's 10-man developmental roster and brings the squad to its full complement of 28 players as of today's MLS roster freeze date.
"Andy made an impression on our staff during his time training with us and while participating in our Reserve Division matches," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "His versatility and MLS experience will give us an added dimension to our roster."
Rosenband is no stranger to the Fire, having played three games (two starts) for the team's MLS Reserve Division squad in its inaugural campaign, during which he has registered one goal across 207 minutes of action. The Hammond, IN native comes to the Fire from the MISL's Chicago Storm, where he played in 37 games and notched 12 goals and seven assists under the direction of Storm Head Coach and former Fire forward Frank Klopas during the 2004-05 MISL season.
"Andy's a very good player who has the ability to play at this level," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "We have this available spot and he'll give us added depth for the rest of the season in addition to getting the opportunity to prove himself for next year."
Rosenband's addition to the Fire roster begins his second stint in MLS, as FC Dallas selected him in the sixth round (52nd overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. After being waived by the Texas-based club in summer of 2003, Rosenband trained with the Columbus Crew prior to the 2004 season before signing with the USL A-League's Charleston Battery, where he saw action in four contests in a reserve role. Rosenband finished his collegiate playing career at Ohio State University, where he spent two years after beginning his collegiate career with two seasons at Wake Forest University.
"I'm excited. I want to play with confidence everyday, believe in my abilities and let things fall where they may," said Rosenband. "I thought maybe there would be a chance that I would join the team, but I didn't think that it would come this quick."
The Fire completed another transaction on the day that sent the rights to Haitian midfielder Alexandre Boucicaut to the Colorado Rapids in return for a fourth round selection in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, which originally belonged to FC Dallas. Boucicaut logged 164 minutes across five games (one start) during the 2004 season for Chicago and failed to register a goal or assist.
Andy Rosenband
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'7" (1.70 m)
Weight: 160 lbs. (78 kg)
Born: April 27, 1981 in Hammond, IN
Hometown: Hammond, IN
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Chicago Storm (MISL) (2005)
How Acquired: Signed to developmental roster after being selected in waiver draft on 9-15-05
Misc: Has played three games for the Fire's MLS Reserve Division side in 2005, scoring one goal in 207 minutes of play... Played in 37 contests for the MISL's Chicago Storm in 2004-05, scoring 12 goals and seven assists under former Fire player Frank Klopas... Drafted in the sixth round (52nd overall) by the then-Dallas Burn in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft... Played in four contests off the bench for the A-League's Charleston Battery in 2004... Began collegiate career with two seasons (2000, 2001) at Wake Forest University before finishing his career with two years (2002, 2003) at Ohio State University... Was the first-ever Buckeye drafted by an MLS squad... Was named an All-Big Ten Second Team, NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and All-Ohio First Team selection following junior season in 2002... Led Ohio State in points (14), shots (36) and shots on goal (19) in his first season at OSU in 2002... Is one of the all-time leading goal scorers in Illinois High School history, scoring 114 goals in his four years at Chicago's University High School.
TRANSACTIONS: Fire aCQUIRES MIDFIELDER ANDY ROSENBAND VIA WAIVER DRAFT AND SIGNS TO DEVELOPMENTAL ROSTER AND SENDS RIGHTS TO ALEXANDRE BOUCICAUT TO COLORADO RAPIDS FOR FOURTH ROUND SELECTION IN 2006 MLS SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
