CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 4, 2012) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today Fabrizio Pittaluga as the winner of December’s Open Tryout. The Peruvian-born, Miami, Fla. based midfielder traveled over 1,300 miles and emerged from a group of 160 players to capture the club’s annual Open Tryout. Pittaluga will join the Fire for the first phase of preseason training camp in Ave Maria, Fla. beginning Friday, Jan. 20.
“Like any soccer player, this has always been my dream,” said Pittaluga. “The dream of playing, the possibility of earning a contract and getting to do it with a team in the country I’ve grown up in. It’s a very surreal feeling and I’m really looking forward to the first day.”
“The Player Development staff looked at a number of great players over the two day tryout,” said Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas. “Over that time, Fabrizio’s talent and skill came through. We know that certain players that take part in this process have the potential to make a roster and we’re excited to have Fabrizio join the first team during training camp later this month.”
Born in Lima, Peru, the 22-year-old midfielder was one of 160 players, representing 10 different countries, who attended December’s Open Tryout. Pittaluga emigrated to the United States with his family in 1991 and went on to play for Miami Kendall FC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy from 2007-08. The holder of American, Peruvian and Italian passports, Pittaluga has had training stints with Serie A side Cagliari Calcio’s Primavera squad in 2007 before separate sessions with Peruvian clubs Sport Boys Association (2010) and Universidad Cesarvallejo (2010-11).
Name: Fabrizio Pittaluga
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’0” (1.84m)
Weight: 160 lbs. (72kg)
Date of Birth: December 1, 1989
Place of Birth: Lima, Peru
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Citizenship: USA, Peru, Italy
Last Club: Miami Kendall FC (USSDA)
Chicago Fire Season Tickets and 2012 Winter Packs, which give fans the opportunity to witness the Men in Red in action on Opening Day, Saturday, March 24 are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club’s official website at Chicago-Fire.com.
