BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it has acquired forward CJ Sapong from the Philadelphia Union. In exchange, the Union will receive $200,000 in 2019 General Allocation Money, $100,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money, and an additional $100,000 in 2019 General Allocation Money should the Chicago Fire acquire said funds this year.
Sapong is under contract with the Fire for the 2019 season with a Club option for the 2020 season.
“CJ brings a different skill set to our attacking options,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodriguez. “We can now be more varied in how we attack.”
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Sapong, 30, joins the Fire with 233 appearances (177 starts) in eight MLS seasons, tallying 56 goals and 23 assists during that stretch. Sapong has spent the last four seasons (2015-18) with the Union, posting 36 goals and 14 assists in 123 appearances (108 starts). He was originally selected by Sporting Kansas City as the 10th overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and made 34 appearances during his rookie season, scoring five goals and adding five assists en route to being named the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year. In four seasons with Sporting KC, Sapong won an MLS Cup (2013) and the U.S. Open Cup trophy (2012).
“CJ is a player who adds athleticism and a high work rate on both sides of the ball,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club Head Coach Veljko Paunovic. “We also believe that he will increase our scoring capabilities. We’re looking forward to working with him this season.”
At the international level, Sapong has earned four caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team. After receiving an invitation to the team’s January camp in 2012, Sapong made his debut for the USMNT in a friendly against Venezuela on January 21, 2012 and earned his second cap just four days later with a substitute appearance against Panama. In 2017, Sapong received the nod to represent the USMNT ahead of a friendly in Portugal on November 14, 2017. He started that match, recording an assist in a 1-1 draw.
Transaction: The Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquires forward CJ Sapong from the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 23, 2019. In exchange, the Union will receive $200,000 in 2019 General Allocation Money, $100,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money, and an additional $100,000 in 2019 General Allocation Money should the Chicago Fire acquire said funds this year.
Name: CJ Sapong
Position: Forward
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Date of Birth: Dec. 27, 1988
Birthplace: Manassas, Va.
Citizenship: United States of America
Last Club: Philadelphia Union
