The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will honor Fire Original CJ Brown when the 13-year Fire defender returns to TOYOTA PARK for the Chicago Fire – Real Salt Lake game on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT (My50). Brown currently serves as an assistant coach for Real Salt Lake.
The club will honor Brown in front of the Fire faithful at TOYOTA PARK in a postgame tribute to the Fire Original’s exceptional career in Chicago. Brown’s wife, Kim, and two girls, Canessa and Kali will be in attendance as the Fire welcome back the player who appeared in 370 matches across all competitions for the Men in Red, by far the most appearances in the club’s history.
Brown, who retired following the Fire’s final regular season match in 2010, was drafted number one overall in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft out of San Jose State University and made an immediate impact on the Fire expansion side, appearing in 17 games during the club’s inaugural season. The stout defender helped lead the club to the American “Double”, winning MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in the club’s first year.
Brown’s MLS record 13 consecutive seasons with the Fire saw the defender tally five goals and 15 assists while helping the club to six domestic championships. The 2001 MLS All-Star selection garnered the club’s 2006 and 2010 Defender of the Year award and has made contributions off the field as well, winning the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Fire/United States Soccer Federation Humanitarian of the Year awards for his efforts in the Chicagoland area community.
The Hayward, CA product began his soccer career with the San Francisco Bay Seals in the United Soccer League Premier Development League (former USISL Premier League) from 1994 to 1997, where he appeared in 47 matches before getting picked by the Fire.
