and only -- appearance with the senior team on June 7, 2001 as a second half substitute in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. Despite helping the U.S. Under-23 Team through the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2000, Thorrington was forced to miss the team's appearance in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia after suffering a hamstring injury in the build-up to the tournament. After gaining his U.S. citizenship in January of 1999, Thorrington would score one goal in nine games (six starts) with the U.S. U-20s that year, including appearances in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championships in Nigeria.
"We are very excited to have John join us in Chicago," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "I have known and kept an eye on John for several years when I have traveled overseas, and I feel that he'll be a tremendous addition to not only our team as a right sided player, but to our League as well. I have no doubt that he will make a great contribution to our club."
John Thorrington
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Born: October 17, 1979 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA
Citizenship: United States/England
Last Club: Grimsby Town (English Nationwide League Division Two)
How Acquired: Signed as an allocation player on 1-11-05
TRANSACTION: Fire acquires midfielder John Thorrington via allocation from Major League Soccer.
