Chicago Connections

Several members of the U.S. contingent have ties to Chicago. DaMarcus Beasley and Carlos Bocanegra are alumni of the Chicago Fire team coached by Bob Bradley that captured the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That group also included current U.S. assistant coaches Peter Nowak and Mike Sorber. Nowak started in the 2-1 win against Miami Fusion on Oct. 21, 2000, at Soldier Field, and also captained the Fire to the ‘double’ kin 1998 when the Fire became the first and only expansion club to win the MLS Cup in its inaugural season. Two other players on the roster hold ties to the Chicagoland area. Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan is a native of Homer Glen, Ill., and is an alumnus of U.S. Soccer Development Academy Club, the Chicago Magic. Michael Bradley also played for the Magic during his time in Chicago.