United States youth international Benji Joya (pictured) joined the Chicago Fire on February 5, 2014. (Photo: Mexsport)
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that it acquired midfielder Benji Joya in a weighted lottery. The United States youth international joins the Major League Soccer club on a one-year loan with a transfer option from Mexico’s Santos.
Joya joined the Guerreros in 2012, making four Liga MX and two Copa MX appearances.
“Benji is a talented, young player,” said Chicago Fire head coach Frank Yallop. “He has international experience and will be a great addition as we continue to build and strengthen our squad.”
The midfielder served as team captain during the Americans’ run to the 2013 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship final, where it fell 3-1 to Mexico after extra time. In that match, Joya leveled the score at 1-1 with a 10th minute penalty kick.
At the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, he played in two games – a 4-1 loss to Spain and a 1-1 draw with France.
