Sebastian Grazzini

A midseason signing for the Fire in 2011, Sebastian Grazzini’s arrival is in part credited with the club’s turn around in fortunes in the second half of the campaign. An attacking midfielder with a professional experience across six countries, expectations are high for the 31-year-old Argentine to help lead the Fire back to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2012.

2011: Appeared in 11 matches, starting all of them, tallying five goals and four assists of 780 minutes after signing at midseason…Averaged a goal or assist every 86 minutes he was on the field in the regular season…Made his MLS debut logging 66 minutes in a 1-1 draw 8/3 vs. PHI…Tallied his first Fire assist on Dominic Oduro’s 23^rd minute equalizer in a 4-2 loss 8/7 at VAN…Scored his first career goal in a Fire uniform, putting the side ahead 2-1 in the 24th minute of a 2-2 draw 8/13 at NY…Scored his first goal at Toyota Park in the 59^th minute of a 1-1 draw 8/18 vs. DC…Assisted on Cory Gibbs’36th minute header in a 2-0 victory 8/27 vs. COL…Assisted on Cory Gibbs’ header in the second minute of a 3-2 victory 9/17 vs. CHV…Scored a fifth minute penalty kick and assisted on Dominic Oduro’s ninth minute goal before leaving in the 25^th minute of a 3-2 victory 9/25 vs. NE…Scored a beautiful strike in the 89^th minute of a 2-1 loss 10/12 vs. FCD… Scored a 92^nd minute equalizer sparking the “Capital Comeback” in a 2-1 victory 10/15 at DC…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Appeared in two matches, playing 50 minutes on the team’s way to the 2011 final… Scored a 32^nd minute penalty kick to give the Fire a first half lead in the 2-1 semifinal victory 8/30 vs. Richmond…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Made his Chicago Fire debut, coming on as a 62^nd minute substitute for Marco Pappa in a 3-1 loss 7/23 vs. Manchester United.

ABROAD

A product of the Central Cordoba youth setup, Grazzini brings a great deal of foreign club experience to the Fire, having played for Sevilla (Spain; 2003), Virton (Belgium 2003-04), Deportivo Italchaco (2006) and Sestrese (Italy; 2007-08). After short stints at the former two clubs, it was with the Venezuelan and Italian sides that the attacking midfielder made his mark, scoring six goals in 15 matches with Italchaco and 22 in 45 appearances with Sestrese. Following his time in Italy, Grazzini returned to Argentina in 2008, where he played nine matches for Newell’s Old Boys, based in his hometown of Rosario. He then moved to Allevaneda side Racing Club, scoring five goals in 34 matches from 2009-10. The attacking midfielder joins the Fire from Club Atletico All Boys where he played in 22 matches and bagged five goals for the suburban Buenos Aries club over the course of the 2010-11 Clausura and Apertura tournaments.

Personal: Often celebrates goals by doing the “Cumbia” a popular dance form in Latin America.