Toronto FC announced Friday that the club has acquired goalkeeper Chris Konopka from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
“Chris is a keeper that we’ve had our eye on for some time and we’re happy to get this deal done,” said Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen. “He will be a welcomed addition to an already solid stable of keepers we have here at Toronto FC.”
Konopka, 28, is currently in his second season with the Union, where he started in one league match. He was originally selected in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft by the then Kansas City Wizards. He left the club at the conclusion of the 2007 season to trial with Bohemians FC of the League of Ireland. He later signed and was part of the club’s “Irish Double,” winning both the League of Ireland Championship and the FAI Cup. Konopka spent two more seasons in Ireland with Sporting Fingal (2009), and Waterford United (2010).
He re-joined the league as part of the MLS Goalkeeper Pool in 2011 and was called into service for both the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew that season. Konopka signed with the Philadelphia Union on March 2, 2012.
Prior to his professional career, Konopka played his collegiate soccer at Providence College. During his time with the Friars, he helped lead the school to three straight Big East Championship Semi-Finals and two NCAA Tournaments.
Chris Konopka
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’5
Weight: 210
Birthdate: April 14, 1985
Birth Place: Toms River, New Jersey
Hometown: Toms River, New Jersey
Nationality: American
Last Club: Philadelphia Union
How Acquired: Trade with Philadelphia Union on Friday, September 13, 2013
Pronunciation: “Kon-op-ka”
