Chicago Fire veteran, Logan Allen Pause, was born August 22, 1981 in Raleigh, NC, and has been playing soccer since he was four years-old. In his teens at Jordan High School in Durham, NC, he showed great promise spending four years on the Honor Roll and as a letterman. In fact, he was named a Parade All-American as a high school senior and served as a two-time team captain at Jordan.
He continued that leadership as an Honor student at University of North Carolina and as a member of the men's soccer team serving as the team's co-captain in 2002. He was named to the first-team All-ACC and unselfishly moved from midfielder to central defender and became one of the best defenders in the ACC. In 2001, he helped lead Carolina to the Men's College Cup title, the first in team history.
The 27 year-old southerner was recently featured in CosmoGirl.com, where he was profiled as one of the hottest guys in the MLS. When asked what were the three words that best described him he replied, "honest, caring and fun." That's also how he's known to his teammates and friends alike and he's shown that both on and off the pitch during his seven seasons with the Chicago Fire.
Logan was drafted by the Chicago Fire in 2003 and he considers his professional debut that year as his "best soccer moment." Since that time, Logan has been in high demand both on and off the pitch...known as versatile and gritty on the pitch, the Midfielder has started and finished every game this season totaling 630 minutes of play, while playing 11,677 minutes in 153 games since starting with the Fire in 2003.
Logan has shown his worth both at his familiar defensive midfield position and as a dependable right back during his last six seasons. In 2007, Pause made his mark early in the Fire's first-ever season opener at TOYOTA PARK, scoring his first MLS career tally in Chicago's 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution. He continued to serve as a consistent force for the Chicago midfield, starting in 21 of 23 games played. As 2008 began, he stepped into the defensive center midfield role for the Fire. Pause helped the Fire through a successful season starting and playing in 27 regular season matches. Thanks to his experience, work ethic, and poise, Pause is once again serving as a team leader on the field in 2009.
Off the pitch, Logan has spent considerable time helping both the Chicago Fire Foundation and local youth soccer, coaching the Chicago Kickers and lending a big hand to Teammates for Kids. And just last week, he was named to the board of the Chicago Fire Foundation - a worthy appointment for someone who has spent significant time in the community supporting Foundation causes and other charities throughout the Chicagoland area.
"The Chicago Fire Foundation is very important to the guys on our team because we're all committed to giving back to the community," said Pause. "The Foundation has been a great outlet for players to help children and other charities that work hard to make people's lives better. I'm really honored to have been appointed to the Foundation board and am looking forward to working with all the members."
Logan not only serves as a voice for the team on the Foundation board, but now has the opportunity to impact how the board directs its funds and resources to worthy causes throughout Chicago. Over the last 11 years, the foundation has raised more than $1.2 million to help improve the lives of people throughout the Chicagoland area, especially its youth. Logan has participated in all Chicago Fire Foundation events and donated numerous items over the last six years for auctions benefiting the Foundation.
Chicago Fire Foundation President and Fire Technical Director, Frank Klopas, says that Logan will be a great addition to the board. "This is a guy who won't leave an event until every autograph is signed and every picture is taken. He really cares about our fans and the community and will go above and beyond to contribute to this Foundation, just as he does on the pitch."
For more on Logan Pause, keep following his progress this season by visiting www.chicago-fire.com.
