CHICAGO (Jan. 16, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that Head Coach Raphael Wicky has hired Adin Brown as a goalkeeper coach and John Grace as a performance coach.
Brown, 41, joins the Fire after spending the past five years as a goalkeeper coach for the Portland Timbers. Brown originally joined the Timbers as the first team goalkeeper coach in June 22, 2015, helping the Cascadia side win its first-ever MLS Cup trophy in his first season with the club. He served as the Timbers goalkeeper coach for three years (2015-17), before becoming the lead goalkeeper coach for Portland Timbers 2 from 2018-19.
As a player, Brown enjoyed a 12-year career in the United States and Norway, making 154 professional appearances from 2000-2011. He featured for four MLS teams during his career, including the Colorado Rapids, Tampa Bay Mutiny, New England Revolution and the Timbers. During his time in MLS, Brown helped guide the Revolution to the MLS Cup final in 2002 and earned the team’s Defender of the Year honor twice.
The Pleasant Hill, Calif., native also spent four years playing in Norway, making 68 appearances with Aalesunds FK from 2005-09. He was voted as one of the 50 best foreign players to ever play in Norway.
Grace comes to the Fire from Orlando City SC, where he worked as the club’s performance coach and head of sport science. Joining Orlando in 2017, he spent time working with the MLS side and its NWSL team, Orlando Pride, during the last three seasons. Grace earned a master’s degree in sport science and coaching from Ohio University.
In addition to hiring Brown and Grace, the Fire also announced the return of the following technical staff members: Head Athletic Trainer Reade Whitney, Assistant Athletic Trainer Hillary Bell, Massage Therapist Steven Burrows, Equipment Manager Brian Sauer and Assistant Equipment Manager Juan Arreola. In addition, Tyler Golden will join the first team as an assistant athletic trainer. Golden previously served as the athletic trainer for the Club’s Academy teams from 2018-19.
An additional assistant coach will be announced at a later date.
Chicago will kick off its 2020 MLS season on the road on Sunday, March 1 against defending MLS Cup Champions Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field at 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN). The Fire will officially make its return to Soldier Field on Saturday, March 21 when the team hosts Atlanta United FC in its 2020 home opener at 2:30 p.m. CT (Univision).
Fans can secure a seat for the Fire’s 2020 MLS home opener, or any home game of the regular season, through a variety of ticket packages. Beginning as low as $15 per game, season ticket packages for the 2020 campaign are available for purchase online or by calling 888-MLS-FIRE to speak with a season ticket sales representative. Additionally, season tickets for children ages 12-and-under are also currently available for as low as $12.50 per game.
