Last month, Milton Doyle became the first Loyola University Chicago basketball player in 30 years to play in the NBA when he came on for the Brooklyn Nets. (Note/Disclaimer: Reporter is a proud Loyola Chicago alum.)
It may not take as long for another Loyola player to hit the pitch after now-Chicago Fire assistant coach Eric Gehrig last hit the pitch for the Fire in 2016. On Sunday, the Fire selected Loyola forward Elliot Collier and University of California Berkeley defender Josh Morton on the final day of the MLS SuperDraft, which was conducted via conference call on Sunday afternoon.
Collier, selected in the third round (49th overall) appeared in 69 games over the course of four seasons with the Ramblers, scoring 15 goals and tallying 11 assists. The Hamilton, New Zealand native was named First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference in his senior season.
Selected in the fourth round (84th overall), Morton appeared in 48 collegiate matches for Cal, scoring two goals and adding one assist. Hailing from Brentwood, CA, Morton was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention in his senior season.
The preseason officially begins on Monday for the Fire with entrance physicals and four days of training in the Toyota Park Dome before heading first to Tampa from January 28th through February 8th, and then to Bradenton, FL, from February 11th to February 24th.
Chicago Fire
MLS