On Monday, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of 24-year-old Houston Dynamo forward Jason Johnson in exchange for Brazilian midfielder Alex.
A former Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year at Virginia Commonwealth University, Johnson scored 28 goals for the Rams in three seasons and inked a Generation Adidas contract with MLS in 2013, paving the way for his first round selection in that year's SuperDraft. The Happy News native tallied just one goal in 21 MLS apparances with the Dynamo since then and spent much of the 2014 campaign on loan to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL, notching a goal and an assist in 12 matches.
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“Jason is a good, young player with a lot of pace and I’m pleased that we’ll be adding him to our roster,” said Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop in a press release.
Johnson, a member of Jamaica's Olympic Qualifying squad, has also collected three caps for the national team since making his international debut in the 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Feb. 10, 2010.
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Meanwhile, with his loan cameo coming in the Men in Red's 1-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2015 home opener, Alex will depart with three goals and two assists in 76 appearances with the Fire.
Chicago Fire
“I’d like to thank Alex for his time with the club and wish him the best in Houston," Yallop said.
With the Fire's next regular season match not until April 24 against New York City FC, Yallop's side will cope with consecutive bye weeks in the meantime and is scheduled to train at the Toyota Park Practice Field this week.