Kellen Gulley

Citizenship:    USA
Last Club:    Chicago Fire Juniors-Mississippi
How Acquired:    Signed as a Home Grown player on August 11, 2011

The second Homegrown Player in Chicago Fire history, the former CFJ-Mississippi striker earned valuable experience in reserve and Academy matches during the 2012 season. The Clinton, Miss. product and youngest member of the Fire will aim to make his first team debut during the 2013 MLS campaign.

2012: Did not see first team action during the 2012 season…MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: Appeared in six matches, making one start across 127 minutes. CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY: Started 12 of the 23 games in which he appeared for the U18 Academy team; scored six goals as the Fire U18s entered the USSDA Playoffs as the #1 ranked team in the country.  

2011: Though he signed with the first team in August 2011, was ineligible to play in MLS matches while completing his Home Grown residency…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDIES: Made his Toyota Park debut, coming on in the 76th minute for Diego Chaves in a 1-0 loss 9/14 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara…MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: Came on as a sub in four matches, tallied one goal and one assist over 150 minutes…

Prior Experience: A product of the Chicago Fire Juniors-Mississippi, Gulley spent part of every summer locally in Chicago dating back to 2006 prior to signing with the first team in August 2011. In that time, the 18-year-old striker has been involved in various Fire Juniors player pool and identification events, played in three consecutive SUM/Generation adidas Cups (2009-11) and trained with the club’s first team, PDL and Super-20 sides during the 2010 season.

International:
Named to U.S. Soccer’s U17 Residency Program in January 2010, has earned eight caps with the U17 U.S. Men’s National Team, tallying four goals during international competition in 2009 and 2010. The 6-foot striker notched goals against Brazil (12/5/2009), Argentina (6/23/2010) and a brace against Mexico (2/24/2010) leading the U17s to a 2-1-0 record in games in which the formidable forward found the back of the net.

Personal: Parents are Marie and James Gulley…Looks up to his older brother James, who plays soccer at Western Illinois University…Favorite musical artist is The Weekend…Enjoys watching movies from the Saw series…