Eric Leonard

Eric Leonard (born October 5, 1995) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for MLS Next Pro club Chicago Fire FC II.

Eric Leonard
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-10-05) October 5, 1995
Place of birth Palatine, Illinois, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Chicago Fire II
Number 50
Youth career
0000–2014 Chicago Sockers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Butler Bulldogs 73 (6)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 OKC Energy U23 13 (1)
2018 Nerang Eagles
2019–2022 Forward Madison 99 (1)
2023– Chicago Fire II 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 13, 2022 (2022-12-13)

Career

Youth and college career

In addition to playing for William Fremd High School, Leonard also served as the captain for the Sockers FC Chicago development academy.[1] In 2014, he joined Butler University, making 73 appearances and scoring 6 goals for the Bulldogs during his four seasons. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in his freshman year, and twice was included in the division's All-Tournament Team in 2016 and 2017. He also served as the team's captain in his senior year.[2][3]

OKC Energy U23

Leonard joined the OKC Energy U23 team of the PDL in 2017. He made 13 regular season appearances, scoring one goal, along with one appearance in the play-offs.[4]

Nerang Eagles

In 2018, Leonard joined Australian club Nerang Eagles in the Gold Coast Premier League. At the end of the season, he won the Gold Coast Premier League Players' Player of the Year award.[5]

Forward Madison FC

In December 2018, Forward Madison FC announced the signing of Leonard for the team's inaugural season in 2019.[6][7][8] He made his league debut for the club on April 13, 2019, coming on as an 81st minute substitute for Josiel Núñez in a 1-0 away defeat to North Texas SC.[9]

Leonard is Forward Madison's all-time appearance leader, with 99 appearances across all competitive competitions.

Chicago Fire FC II

On December 13, 2022, Leonard was transferred from Forward Madison FC to the Chicago Fire FC organization. Details of the transfer were not disclosed.[10] It was later reported that Leonard would start with Chicago Fire FC II of MLS Next Pro.[11][12]

Personal life

Leonard was born in Palatine, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

References
  1. "Leonard loves opportunity to join Butler soccer program". April 3, 2014.
  2. "Eric Leonard - 2016 - Butler University".
  3. "Eric Leonard | Club Soccer | College Soccer | College Soccer Recruiting | Elite Soccer Shop".
  4. "OKC Energy U23 - 2017 Regular Season - Roster - #13 - Eric Leonard - M".
  5. "Gala Awards Night | Senior Eagles Celebrate Superb 2018 Season". October 17, 2018.
  6. "Forward Madison FC signs Midwest natives Leonard and Bement". December 18, 2018.
  7. "USL signings: Hartford Athletic adds three players". December 20, 2018.
  8. "Brian Bement Signs with USL Division One's Forward Madison FC".
  9. "North Texas vs. Forward Madison – 13 April 2019 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  10. Warwick, Evan (December 13, 2022). "Eric Leonard Signs With Chicago Fire FC Organization". ForwardMadisonFC.com. Forward Madison FC. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  11. Jones, Kyle (December 13, 2022). "FMFC veteran Eric Leonard joins Chicago Fire FC organization". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  12. "Chicago Fire FC II Signs Defender Eric Leonard". ChicagoFireFC.com. Chicago Fire. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
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