Victor Pineda

The first Homegrown Player in Chicago Fire history, Victor Pineda took strides during his first full season with the first team, making the bench three times and gaining valuable experience in the Reserve League while helping the club’s U18 Academy team to the USSFDA National Playoffs. Pineda will look to take the next step in his career, making his first team debut during the 2012 MLS campaign.

The youngest player on the Chicago Fire first team, 2011 will mark the first full season for 18 year old Victor Pineda. The first Home Grown player in club history, Pineda signed with the first team in August 2010, following a whirlwind year which saw the midfielder help the U16 Academy to the USSFDA National Championship and call-ups to the U.S. U18 National Team. The Bolingbrook, IL native will look to make his professional debut in 2011, another step in an already well-decorated career.

2011: Did not see first team action during the 2011 season but made his first game-day lineup in the team’s 3-2 victory 9/17 vs. CHV…Would appear in the 18 two more times, in a 2-1 loss 10/12 vs. FCD and a 3-2 win 10/22 vs. CLB…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Came on as a halftime sub for Fire captain Logan Pause, playing 45 minutes and picking up a yellow card in the 81^st minute of a 1-0 loss 9/14 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara…MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: Appeared in seven matches, starting six, logging 567 minutes.

2010: Did not see first team action in 2010.

Academy

2011-12: Eligible to play with U18 Academy as a first team player… Appeared in first two matches of the campaign, a 2-1 loss 11/19 at Minnesota Thunder and 1-0 loss 11/20 at Shattuck St. Mary’s (MN).

2010-11:  Eligible to play with U18 Academy as a first team player… Appeared in 17 matches, starting six, tallying six goals…Helped team qualify for 2011 USSFDA National Playoffs where they went 1-1-1…

2009-2010: Appeared in 28 matches, playing 2160 minutes and leading the U16 Academy with 8 goals, helping the side to the USSFDA National Championship …Tallied his first goal of the campaign in the 15^th minute of a 1-1 draw vs. Real Colorado on 4/17…Scored in the 86^th minute to help the Fire U16s to a 2-1 victory over Colorado Rush AJ Auxerre on April 18…Scored in the 40^th minute in a 2-1 victory vs. St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri on 5/23…Appeared in two of three matches during the USSFDA Spring Showcase in Sarasota, FL, opening up the series with a 6^th minute strike against LAFC Chelsea on 5/29…Struck in the 43^rd minute, securing the game winner in a 2-0 victory vs. FC Milwaukee…Appeared in all 3 matches at the USSFDA National Playoffs in Greensboro, NC, scoring both goals in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over FC Westchester. The result clinched a spot for the U16s at the USSFDA National Finals in Carson, CA…Appeared in all 4 matches, playing every minute at the USSFDA National Finals in Carson, CA, scoring the opening goal in the first group match, a 2-1 victory vs. Chicago Sockers FC…Played the full 110 minutes and converted the opening penalty kick as the U16s defeated Cal Odyssey to win the 2010 USSFDA National Championship on 7/16…Was named to the NSCAA Boy’s All-American Team on 12/23…

2008-09: Appeared in 2 matches, spending the majority of his time with the U.S. U17 Residency Program in Bradenton, FL…

International: Currently part of the U.S. U18 Men’s National Team pool…2010: Started all 4 matches he appeared in, logging 293 minutes played…Scored first youth international goal in his U18 debut, a 2-1 loss to Bolivia on 7/27 in Buenos Aries, Argentina…Played 59 minutes in 2-2 draw with Chile on 7/29 in Santiago… Was part of the Israeli Four Nations Tournament roster in December, playing two matches: played 66 minutes in 3-0 loss to France on 12/14 and went 78 in 0-0 draw vs. Israel on 12/16; both matches played in Tel Aviv…2009: Was part of the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team Residency Program in Bradenton, FL…Has previously been a part of the U15 U.S. Boy’s National Team…

Prep: Earned All-American honors while playing for Plainfield East High School in Bolingbrook, IL…

Personal: Parents are Victor and Susana…Brother Mauricio currently plays with the Chicago U14 Academy team…