Bolden Selected by Chicago in 2014 MLS SuperDraft

PHILADELPHIA – University of Denver senior Zach Bolden (Denver, Colo.) was selected by the Chicago Fire with the 61^st overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.

"This is an absolute dream for me to be selected by the Chicago Fire," said Bolden. "I can't thank the University of Denver enough. Everyone at DU, my teammates, Bobby and his staff, the administrations, everyone has played a part in me being selected today. I hope to be working with Chicago shortly and move forward with my professional soccer aspirations."

Bolden joins Drew Beckie (Columbus Crew), Kyle Christensen (Chivas USA), Kris Banghart (Real Salt Lake) and Joe Willis (D.C. United) as Pioneers who have been selected in the SuperDraft in the last six years under DU head coach Bobby Muuss. 

The Denver senior was named the 2013 Summit League Offensive Player of the Year after recording 29 points off 10 goals and nine assists. Bolden led The Summit League in points, goals, assists, shots-on-goal (23), shots (61) and game-winning goals (6).

“I am extremely excited for this opportunity for Zach,” Muuss said. “It’s always a great feeling when you see your players have an opportunity to follow their dreams of playing professional soccer. Zach and this senior class have done so much for Denver soccer and they will be missed. We wish Zach the very best of luck at the next level with the Fire.”

Chicago finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-13-7 last season, tying Montreal Impact for the last playoff spot. Montreal earned the position due to goal differential. The Fire has advanced to the MLS Cup Finals three times in the team’s history, winning it in 1998.

Chicago will face the Colorado Rapids twice in the 2014 season. The first matchup will be in the Dessert Diamond Cup, held at the Kino sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 19 at 3:30 p.m. MT. The second meeting will have Colorado hosting Chicago at Dick Sporting Good’s Park on June 4 at 7 p.m. MT.

Bolden’s 29 points set a new Division I school single-season record. Additionally, Bolden’s 10 goals are tied for first in single-season goals for DU while his nine assists second in single-season assists.

Bolden sits sixth all-time for Denver career assists (22) and eighth for career goals (17).

The Pioneers finished the 2013 season 13-3-4 with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. DU swept The Summit League opponents 6-0 in the regular season and captured the conference tournament-title The Crimson and Gold outscored league opponents 16-1 in eight matches.