With three selections in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft the Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquired forward Amani Walker (9th overall), midfielder Yannick Salmon (27th overall) and forward Sam Arthur (45th overall). Between the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, the Fire have added five offensive players to their roster.
2011 Supplemental Draft Picks By Team
“We selected three athletic players who have a knack for scoring,” said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. “Amani, Yannick and Sam have performed well at the collegiate ranks and we look forward to having them join the Chicago Fire Soccer Club.”
Walker, a 6-2, 185-pound forward, comes to the Fire from the University of California – Irvine where he tallied 27 goals and 11 assists in 85 appearances over the course of four years in Irvine. The San Diego, CA product was named 2010 NSCAA All-Far West Region First team and Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year after notching 11 goals and adding two assists in his senior season.
With the second selection in the 2011 Supplemental Draft, the Fire picked Salmon, a defender turned midfielder out of Rutgers University. The Westbury, NY product appeared in 15 matches, starting all of them, and scored six goals during the Scarlet Knights 2010 campaign. The 20-year-old began his career at the University of Maryland and was a member of the Under-17 Jamaican national team.
The Fire acquired Arthur, a left-footed forward from the University of South Carolina with the 45th overall selection. The 6-1, 177 pound striker bagged 26 goals and nine assists in 57 games for the Gamecocks.
With four selections at the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, the Fire snagged defender Jalil Anibab, forwards Jason Herrick and Davis Paul and acquired veteran goalkeeper Jon Conway in a trade with Toronto FC.
