Eric Otto Gehrig (born December 25, 1987) is an American former soccer player who was most recently an assistant coach for Chicago Fire of MLS.

Eric Gehrig
Personal information
Full name Eric Gehrig
Date of birth (1987-12-25) December 25, 1987 (age 36)
Place of birth Harvey, Illinois, United States
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Loyola Ramblers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Chicago Fire Premier 7 (1)
2011–2014 Columbus Crew 46 (0)
2015–2016 Chicago Fire 30 (0)
2016Saint Louis FC (loan) 1 (0)
Managerial career
2017–2019 Chicago Fire (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 11, 2016

Career

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College and amateur

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Gehrig played for Ajax FC Chicago then Loyola University Chicago from 2006 to 2009. Gehrig was a three-time All-Horizon League player. He appeared in all 78 of the Ramblers' matches in that time, and captained the team for three years.[1]

Professional

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Eric Gehrig was signed by Columbus Crew on March 17, 2011.[2] He made his MLS regular season debut on June 26, 2011, against the Colorado Rapids, coming on as a sub in the 85th minute for Emmanuel Ekpo. He also started and played all 90 minutes in an Open Cup third round match against the Richmond Kickers on June 28, 2011.[2] Gehrig made his first career MLS regular season start and played all 90 minutes in a 1–0 win at Vancouver on July 6, 2011.[3]

On December 10, 2014, Gehrig was the 10th round pick in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft by Orlando City SC, promptly being traded to Chicago Fire for a second-round selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.[4]

Gehrig went on to start 25 games for the Chicago Fire and was named 2015 Fire Defender of the Year. On November 23, 2016, Gehrig's contract option was not exercised by Chicago Fire.[5] He became eligible for the Re-Entry Draft but wasn't selected. On February 15, 2017, Gehrig announced his retirement. On the same day he was named assistant coach for Chicago Fire.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  2. ^ a b "Former Rambler Standout Eric Gehrig Signs Professional Contract With Columbus Crew". Loyola University Chicago. March 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  3. ^ "RECAP: Crew vs. Whitecaps FC". MLS. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  4. ^ "Chicago Fire Acquire Right of First Refusal for Defender Eric Gehrig from Orlando City SC". MLS. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  5. ^ "Chicago Fire Exercises Contract Options on Nine Players". chicago-fire.com. November 23, 2016.
  6. ^ "Chicago Fire Announce Additions to Soccer Operations Staff". chicago-fire.com. February 15, 2017.
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