BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(Dec. 12, 2018) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club today selected midfielder Cristian Martínez and forward Marco Ureña in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft. The Fire selected Martinez with the fourth overall pick, while Ureña was selected by the Club with the 26th overall pick. The Club will extend formal offers to Martinez and Ureña.
Martínez, 21, spent the last three seasons with Columbus Crew SC, making 27 appearances (14 starts) in league play and one postseason appearance. In 2018, Martinez posted an MLS career high for games played (14), starts (11) and assists (2) with Crew SC.
At the international level, Martínez has earned seven caps for the Panama National Team. Martínez made his international debut for Panama’s senior team in a 1-0 victory over El Salvador.
Ureña, 28, spent the 2018 MLS season with Los Angeles FC, tallying one goal and five assists in 18 appearances (11 starts). Prior to joining LAFC, Ureña made 25 appearances (22 starts) in his debut season in MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2017, scoring five goals and posting three assists.
Ureña has earned 66 caps for the Costa Rica National Team. Since making his international debut at age 19 in 2009, Ureña has scored 18 goals across all competitions. Additionally, the striker has appeared in six FIFA World Cup matches (two starts), including two appearances in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Ureña also played in four of Costa Rica’s five matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, playing a key role in the team’s advancement to the quarterfinals.
Transaction: Chicago Fire Soccer Club selects midfielder Cristian Martínez with the fourth overall pick and forward Marco Ureña with the 26th overall pick in the 2018 MLS Waiver Draft on Dec. 12, 2018.
Name: Cristian Martínez
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 174 lbs.
Date of Birth: Feb. 2, 1997
Birthplace: Panama City, Panama
Citizenship: Panama
Last Club: Columbus Crew SC
Name: Marco Ureña
Position: Forward
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Date of Birth: March 5, 1990
Birthplace: San Jose, Costa Rica
Citizenship: Costa Rica
Last Club: Los Angeles FC
