:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66124886/Mauricio_Pineda.0.jpg)
Chicago Fire academy product Mauricio Pineda is coming home.
The team announced today Pineda has signed a Homegrown Player contract for the 2020 season, with club options for the 2021-2023 seasons.
“We’re very happy that Mauricio has decided to return to Chicago to begin his professional career,” said Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky in a news release. “He has all of the abilities necessary to become an impactful player. I’m looking forward to working with Mauricio to help him reach his potential.”
Pineda spent the last four years at the University of North Carolina where he appeared in every match during his time there.
“I’m so happy to sign my first professional contract with the Fire,” said Pineda in a release. “I joined the club when I was 10-years-old, and have been dreaming of playing for the Fire since then. I can’t wait to get started.”
Before his time at UNC, Pineda helped the Fire Academy win a U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship in 2015. He’s earned call ups to the U-18 and U-19 U.S. Men’s National Teams.
Pineda’s brother, Victor, was also a Chicago Fire homegrown signing back in 2010. The Fire have six Homegrown Players on the current roster: Jeremiah Gutjahr, Djordje Mihailović, Mauricio Pineda, Andre Reynolds II, Gabriel Slonina and Nicholas Slonina.