Reavis graduate Brian Gutierrez will no longer be a hometown hero for the Chicago Fire.
But he will be playing on a bigger stage far away from home.
On Dec. 12, the Fire transferred the Burbank resident to the LigaMX side Club Deportivo Guadalajara for a multi-million dollar transfer fee.
The 22-year-old Gutierrez has been with the organization for more than a decade as he grew up playing in the Fire’s junior programs.
“It has been a privilege to play for my hometown club and represent all the kids who grew up playing in the parks around Chicago,” Gutierrez said in a news release. “I would like to thank all of my teammates, coaches and all the staff from the Academy through the first team who helped a kid from Chicago live his dream.
“I would also like to thank my family for their unconditional support over the years, as well as all the fans who have supported us in the good and tough times. I will keep representing Chicago everywhere I go, and Chicago will always be home.”
One of his highlights was scoring the first goal in a 3-1 win over Orlando on Oct. 22 in the MLS Eastern Conference wild-card match. Gutierrez became the first Fire player to score a postseason goal since 2012.
Gutierrez and a few teammates hopped a small advertising barrier and hugged fans in the north stands.
“I was once in those stands,” he said after the game. I’ve always wanted to do that growing up. And picturing is as a kid, I mean, finally doing that was incredible.”
Fire coach Gregg Berhalter sees a bright future for Gutierrez.
“Brian has demonstrated consistent growth and commitment to our club for 11 years,” Berhalter said in a news release. “As he takes the next step in his journey, we have full confidence that he will continue to elevate his game and make an even greater impact in the years ahead.”
Dempsey hits 1K mark
Oak Lawn senior Jack Dempsey scored his 1,000th career point in the Spartans’ 74-58 win over Lindblom on Dec. 13 in the Team Rose Shootout at Mount Carmel.
Dempsey, who had 1,011 points after that game, is the ninth player in program history to reach the milestone.
SXU women drop CCAC showdown
St. Xavier’s women’s basketball team lost 62-58 to St. Francis (Joliet) in a game featuring the last two Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference unbeatens Dec. 13 in Chicago.
St. Francis (12-0, 7-0 and ranked 17th in the nation by the NAIA) was led by Marist grad Le’lani Harris’s 19 points. Brooklynn Johnson paced SXU (8-4, 5-1) with 17 points.