CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire today announced that the club has traded the rights to 10-year Major League Soccer veteran midfielder and "Fire Original" Jesse Marsch to Chivas USA in return for the Western Conference side's first round selection in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. The Fire also announced that the club will not exercise the contract option on Honduran international defender Samuel Caballero.
During his eight seasons with the Fire from 1998-2005, Marsch's passionate and hard-nosed style of play made the Princeton University product an integral part of the "Men in Red" and an instant fan favorite. His longevity and determination left him at or near the top in several of the Fire's career statistical categories, numbers that include 200 games played (1st), 182 games started (3rd), 16,300 minutes played (3rd), 29 assists (4th), 151 shots (5th) and 19 goals (6th). Marsch leaves Chicago after helping the "Men in Red" to victory in all four of its domestic championships - the 1998 MLS Cup and 1998, 2000 and 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups - and was the only member of the Fire to take the field in all seven of its domestic Cup final appearances.
"Jesse's dedication to the Chicago Fire has served as a shining example to every player on the squad," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "On behalf of the Fire, I want to thank Jesse for eight unforgettable seasons with the club and wish him the best of luck with Chivas USA."
Prior to joining the Fire, Marsch began his 10-year Major League Soccer career with a two-year stint (1996-97) at D.C. United, where he scored four goals and added three assists across 15 League matches (1 start). The Racine, WI native garnered three domestic titles with the "Black-and-Red" (MLS Cups '96 and '97 and the 1996 U.S. Open Cup), beginning a collection of seven championship rings he has won in his career (three MLS Cup, four U.S. Open Cup), the most of any player in the MLS era. During his MLS career, Marsch has compiled 23 goals and 32 assists in 215 League contests, including 183 starts. Marsch's 215 appearances are the 12th most in MLS annals and seventh among active players, while his 183 starts and 16,325 minutes played currently rank 20th all-time in League history. In addition, Marsch made one appearance for the U.S. Men's National Team on Nov. 11, 2001, serving as a substitute in the U.S.'s 0-0 draw at Trinidad & Tobago. Marsch will be reunited at Chivas USA with former Fire boss Bob Bradley, who also served as Marsch's coach at Princeton University, where he played four standout seasons for the Tigers from 1992-95.
"It would be impossible to measure the positive influence that Jesse has had on our club, both on the field and off," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "I've known Jesse on a personal and professional level for some years, and this decision did not come easily. Although his leadership and experience will be missed, we felt it was the right time to make this decision. I want to wish Jesse all the best as he moves on with his career in soccer."
During his eight seasons with the Fire, Marsch was just as productive off the field as he was on it. A board member of the Fire's charitable arm - the FireWorks for Kids Foundation - since the 2003 season, Marsch has garnered several accolades for his work throughout the Chicagoland community, including the 2004 and 2005 Fire/U.S. Soccer Federation Humanitarian of the Year honors, the 2004 and 2005 Sports Profiles Plus Humanitarian of the Year awards and the 2004 Fox Sports Chicago/March of Dimes Fire Player of the Year award. In addition to his work with the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, Marsch has donated countless hours of his time to charitable organizations such as the American Lung Association, the Gurnee branch of the PADS homeless shelter and Thresholds.
"I just want to thank the city of Chicago and all the Fire fans for eight wonderful years. My family has really enjoyed the time here and my kids were born here, so I'll always have a place for Chicago in my heart," said Marsch. "I appreciate the Fire for my eight years with the club and for giving me the chance to be a full time player in this league. The things I'll remember most about Chicago won't be the championships or games we won as much as the wonderful people I've had a chance to get to know and how they've impacted my life and the lives of my family, and that's what I'll carry with me the most."
The Fire also says goodbye to Caballero, who started 16 of his 17 appearances in MLS regular season play for Chicago during his lone season with the squad in 2005 and scored one goal and one assist in League play. The 31-year-old defender also contributed to the "Men in Red" outside of MLS regular season matches, scoring one goal across three games, all starts, in U.S. Open Cup play while also scoring one goal in three starts for the Fire's MLS Reserve Division squad. Caballero, who joined the Fire after signing a senior roster contract on Feb. 1, 2005, has also played for clubs in Honduras (Deportivo Melgar, CD Olimpia), Italy (Udinese Calcio, Udinese) and Uruguay (Nacional).
"I want to thank Samuel Caballero for his professionalism and his time with the club in 2005," said Sarachan. "He was a great influence on our young defenders last season and I wish him much success with his new opportunity."
Caballero continued to serve the Honduran National Team during his stint with the Fire, leaving Chicago alongside fellow countryman and Fire teammate Ivan Guerrero for a month-long stretch last summer to represent the "catrachos" in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his stellar play in the tournament leading to a selection on the competition's Best XI squad. Caballero has scored 17 goals in 48 career international appearances with Honduras.
"I'd also like to thank Samuel for his contributions to the squad last season and wish him the best of luck in the future," said Guppy. "Samuel is a player with valuable international experience and is a tremendous professional. As we looked at our overall team needs for 2006, though, we simply decided it was more prudent to invest our financial resources in other players."
