Pena selected No. 1 in expansion draft, then heads right back to L.A.
November 6, 2009, 2:44 PM
By: Charlie Corr
On this date in Chicago Fire history, Nov. 6, 1997, the Fire selected midfielder/defender Danny Pena with the first overall pick in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft. The Fire and Miami Fusion combined to make 28 selections.
Pena and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman were the Fire's top two picks in this expansion draft. Pena in particular was vocal about the Galaxy leaving him unprotected following the 1997 season, and he wanted to stay in L.A.
So on Jan. 27, 1998, Pena got his wish. Pena and Hartman were sent back to the Galaxy (as though they never really left) and in return, Chicago acquired Chris Armas and Jorge Campos. That move worked out for the Fire, to say the least.
Pena's career only lasted until the 2001 season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in June 2000. From here on out, Pena's name is etched into the landing of Armas, who put together a stellar Fire career.
Looking back on this 1997 expansion draft, some other acquisitions panned out for the Fire. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton was the 11th overall pick in the draft (earned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 1998) and midfielder Diego Gutierrez was the 15th selection. Defender Francis Okaroh, the 13th overall choice, also contributed some valuable minutes for a couple of seasons.
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Charlie Corr
Charlie Corr is a Chicago-based soccer writer and sports public relations specialist for two professional soccer teams. Contact him by clicking here.
