Jan. 14, 2005

University of Dayton forward Chris Rolfe was selected in the third round of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft Friday by the Chicago Fire. Rolfe re-joins former Flyer teammate Denny Clanton who was drafted and signed by the Fire last season.

The Fire acquired the No. 29 pick of the draft in a trade with F.C. Dallas and used it to select Rolfe.

Rolfe was selected to the 2004 NSCAA/adidas Men's NCAA Division I All-America Second Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 pick.

He hopes to follow the path from UD to the MLS set by former teammate Denny Clanton, who was selected by the Chicago Fire in last year's SuperDraft. Clanton signed with the Fire and played in 10 games, starting six this past season.

Despite playing in only 13 games, Rolfe racked up 24 points in 2004, the third-highest total in the league. He scored seven goals and set a UD single-season assists record with 10, to lead the Atlantic 10 Conference. He does not qualify for the NCAA's statistical averages categories due to his number of games played, but his 0.83 assists per game would be second in the nation, and his 2.00 points per game would rank 10th. His 10 assists tied him for 12th in the NCAA in total assists, despite playing in less games than those above him.