ESPN Network:
ESPN.com
ESPN Deportes
Fantasy Games
|
|
|
| Thursday, May 3, 2001 20:20 EST |
Veteran forward happy to be in Chicago
[Associated Press]
CHICAGO – The Chicago Fire got another weapon for its
offense.
Eric Wynalda, the career scoring leader on the U.S. national
team, was traded from New England to the Fire on Thursday for
forward John Wolyniec, who has one goal in four games this season.
The teams also exchanged conditional draft picks for next year.
"It's the first time I'm nervous about joining another MLS
team, because Chicago is such a quality team," said Wynalda, who
has 34 goals in 106 international appearances but no longer plays
with the national team.
"During the playoffs last year, I had the opportunity to see
just how much talent this team carries. ... Chicago is a premier
club. I look forward to contributing to its winning tradition."
Chicago, which lost to Kansas City in the MLS Cup last year,
leads the Central by a point. But it only has six goals and seven
points. Kansas City, which leads the Western Division, has 10 goals
and 10 points.
The Fire will be without leading scorer Josh Wolff for at least
3-to-4 weeks. Wolff injured his left foot during Saturday's 1-0
victory against Tampa Bay.
Though Wynalda doesn't have any points this year, he has 24
goals and 32 assists for a total of 80 points in six MLS seasons.
He scored the first goal in MLS history during the league's
inaugural game in 1996.
"We're very excited about the opportunity to bring Eric to
Chicago," Fire coach Bob Bradley said. "He's a talented and
exciting player that we hope will fit in well with our team."
Wynalda began his MLS career with San Jose, scoring 21 goals and
totaling 71 points before being traded to Miami in June 1999. He
was traded to New England last July.
Wynalda was the first American-born player to play in Germany's
Bundesliga, scoring nine goals in his first 10 games with FC.
Saarbrucken in 1992. He was ejected from the Americans' 1990 World
Cup opener against the Czech Republic -- the U.S. team's first
appearance since 1950 -- for pushing a player in front of the
referee.
In two years with the Fire, Wolyniec scored two goals and one
assist.
"John has made a lot of progress in the last year, and we
appreciate everything he brought to our team," Bradley said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
