CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 21, 2013) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that three of the team’s midfielders will return for the 2013 season. The Fire have re-signed Corben Bone and picked up the contract options for Alex and Michael Videira. Per team and MLS policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“It was important for us to have Corben, Alex and Michael return in 2013,” said Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon. “They are skillful and versatile players that provide us with depth in a variety of positions.”
Bone was the Fire’s first round selection (13th overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. A 2009 Hermann Trophy finalist while at Wake Forest University, Bone has made 17 appearances in three seasons with the Men in Red, and assisted on Orr Barouch’s game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw at Toronto FC May 14, 2011. Bone was one of only four Fire players to start all of the Fire’s 2012 Reserve League matches, scoring one goal and tallying two assists across 897 minutes.
Brazilian midfielder Alex joined the Men in Red during the 2012 summer transfer window from Swiss side FC Wohlen. The Sao Paolo, Brazil product scored two goals across 17 MLS Regular Season appearances, including a 61st minute game-winner in a 3-1 comeback victory over the Montreal Impact Sept. 15, 2012. Alex scored the Fire’s lone goal a 2-1 loss Oct. 31, 2012 to eventual MLS Cup finalists Houston Dynamo in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Videira joined the Men in Red on March 10, 2011 from USSF Division 2 Pro side AC St. Louis. The three-time Hermann Trophy semifinalists from Duke University was drafted by the New England Revolution in the second round (18th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft but elected to sign with Scottish Premier League club Hamilton Academical. Videira returned to MLS prior to the 2009 season and made 12 appearances for the Revolution. In two seasons with the Men in Red, Videira has started seven of the 12 MLS Regular Season matches in which he appeared, tallying an assist in a 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City on Opening Day March 26, 2011. Videira was the only player to play every minute of the Fire ten Reserve League matches, notching one assist over 900 minutes.
The Fire also announced Monday that the club has not picked up the option for Mexican international forward Guillermo Franco. Franco joined the Fire on Sept. 14, 2012 and played 43 minutes over three appearances for the Men in Red.
