CHICAGO (March 30, 2023) Chicago Fire FC II today announced that the Club has signed defender Lamonth Rochester to an MLS NEXT Pro contract. His contract runs through the 2024 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Since we identified Lamonth, including during his trial with the Club last year, he has demonstrated a will to win that represents the types of players we are targeting for the Club,” said Chicago Fire II General Manager Alex Boler. “He’s constantly communicating on the field and demonstrates with his attitude and performance that he wants to help this Club succeed.”
Rochester, 19, hails from Manchester, Jamaica and joins Chicago Fire FC II with a wide range of experience for club, college, and country. At the international level, Rochester has been a fixture for the U-20 Jamaican Youth National Team, most recently competing in the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship that took place from June 18-July 3, 2022 in Honduras. Rochester appeared in four of the five matches played, before Jamaica was ultimately eliminated, 1-0, in the quarterfinals by the Dominican Republic on June 29 at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.
“Lamonth is a very strong player who brings a fighting spirt and a sense of responsibility that is unmatched,” said Chicago Fire II head coach Ludovic Taillandier. “He’s a strong, versatile defender whose competitiveness will make our entire team better by raising the level of competition within the team every single day.”
At the collegiate level, Rochester was a member of Angelina University in the 2022-23 season. In his freshman season, he recorded five goals and three assists in 19 appearances as a member of the Roadrunners. Also providing a game-winning goal in his first season, the young Jamaican showed a range of versatility playing in the midfield during his time in Lufkin, Texas.
Prior to his time in Texas, Rochester played for Cavalier FC of the Jamaican Premier League. In two seasons with the Jamaican side, he appeared in 21 matches and was a part of the 2021 team that clinched the Jamaican National League title.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs defender Lamonth Rochester to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2024 season.
Name: Lamonth Rochester
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185
Date of Birth: June 10, 2003
Hometown: Manchester, Jamaica
Birthplace: Manchester, Jamaica
Citizenship: Jamaica
Last Club: Angelina University
