Former Elon soccer standout Steven Kinney has signed a contract to play for Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire. Kinney became the first player in Elon program history to be drafted in the MLS last January and is the first to be signed by an MLS club after being drafted.
Kinney, who started in all 78 games in which he appeared during his time with the Phoenix, was selected in the third round with the 45th overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft.
“Steven Kinney has proven himself during the preseason to have the passion and talent we need on the pitch as we rebuild our defense,” said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. “We’re happy to have him now as part of the Fire family.”
Kinney was a three-time first-team All-Southern Conference selection, helping Elon to 28 shutout performances over four seasons.
Elon’s anchor on the back line led the 2009 squad to a school-record tying 10 clean slates. Kinney was honored as one of the 30 finalists for the Lowes Senior CLASS award as a senior and helped the Phoenix to its first-ever appearance in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game a year after winning the regular-season crown.
A native of Norcross, Ga., Kinney was the first Elon men’s soccer player to earn Academic All-America status, being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America third team in November. Kinney scored eight goals and added two assists during his Phoenix career.
“I am truly blessed and honored to have this opportunity to continue my playing career,” Kinney commented. “I have to give a large thanks to the Elon soccer family for helping me reach the goal of playing at this level.”
The Fire will open its season on Saturday, March 27 at New York. The game will air on ESPN at 6 p.m.