Arturo Alvarez

How he joined the club: Signed on March 3, 2016 as a Discovery Signing

2017 (CHICAGO FIRE): Three goals and two assists in 24 games in his second season with the club. Of his 24 matches, 12 came off as a substitute. His pinnacle game came just before the CONCACAF Gold Cup break, scoring a goal and providing an assist as the Fire took a road point in Portland. Started the club’s final six games to close the regular season. MLS Cup Playoffs: Came on for the final 20 minutes in the Fire’s 4-0 loss vs. NY on 10/25. U.S. Open Cup: Played all 210 minutes of the Fire’s two matches, a 1-0 win at St. Louis FC on 6/15 and a PK-shootout loss at FC Cincinnati on 6/29.

2016 (CHICAGO FIRE): Had five goals and a career-high nine assists in his first season with the Fire. Alvarez notched career bests in games played (30) and games started (24). He made his first career start and appearance on 3/6 vs. NYC, also recording his first assist with the club in the process. Alvarez scored his first goal with the Fire on 5/21 vs. HOU. He came off the bench to record a two-assist game on 8/20 at MTL, his first multi-assist game in MLS since 7/14/07 as a member of FC Dallas. U.S. Open Cup: Alvarez started three of the club’s four matches. 

2013-15 (VIDEOTON): Joined Hungarian side Videoton FC on loan in 2013. The transfer was completed in June 2013 and through 2015, Alvarez scored eight goals in 55 appearances for Videoton.

2012-13 (PACOS DE FERREIRA): In 2012, Alvarez joined Portuguese Primeira Liga side F.C. Paços de Ferreira, scoring three goals in 13 matches.

2011 (REAL SALT LAKE): Alvarez was selected in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft by the Portland Timbers and was immediately traded to Real Salt Lake who he represented for one season. Made his RSL debut on March 15, 2011 when he entered in the 88th minute of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal against Saprissa. Appeared in 16 total MLS matches, starting eight. Tallied an assist in RSL’s 4-0 win over the Earthquakes on July 23, 2011.

2010 (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES): Registered four goals and three assists in 23 games across regular season, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and MLS Cup Playoff action. Missed five games across April and May due to a left hamstring strain, returning to the field off the bench on 5/29 vs. TOR as a halftime sub at right midfield. His early equalizer (6’) on 6/02 v. CLB helped SJ earn a 2-2 draw. Appeared in all three of ‘Quakes contests in the Eastern Conference bracket of the MLS Cup Playoffs off the substitutes’ bench. First postseason appearance in three years came via a 21-minute stint on 10/30 v. NY in a 0-1 defeat in Leg One of the Eastern Conf. Semifinal Series. Helped produce the shock result of the MLS postseason on 11/04 @ NY, entering in the 75th minute and providing through ball on Bobby Convey’s eventual game-winner a minute later in a 3-1 win at Red Bull Arena that lifted the ‘Quakes to a 3-2 aggregate series win.

2009 (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES): Appeared in 23 games with five goals and two assists. Made 2009 debut on 3/21 vs. NE, playing the full 90 minutes. Scored first goal of the season and added first assist on 3/28 vs. HOU. Converted a penalty kick for a goal on 4/11 vs. CHI. Scored game-winning goal in 63rd minute on 5/30 vs. RSL and received yellow card. Scored goal for the second straight game in the 82nd minute on 6/7 at DAL. Scored fifth goal of season on 7/3 at RSL. Notched second assist of the season 7/11 vs. TFC and received a yellow card.

2008 (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES AND FC DALLAS): Played in 28 games with both SJ and DAL. Started 10 of 16 games with DAL and scored three goals and notched three assists. Netted a goal and notched an assist on 4/6 at HOU (w/DAL). Registered goal vs. NY on 4/12 (w/DAL). Notched assist on 4/20 at CHV (w/DAL). Scored goal on 6/6 at NE (w/DAL). Recorded assist on 7/27 vs. LA (w/DAL). Played all 12 games for the Earthquakes after arriving from FC Dallas and ended the season with three goals and three assists for the Quakes. Scored first SJ goal of the season on 8/3 vs. LA. Netted second goal for SJ on 8/30 vs. KC. Scored his third goal of the season for SJ on 9/6 vs. D.C. United. Recorded assist on 9/13 vs. HOU. Notched assist on 9/27 vs. RSL. Recorded assist on 10/18 at KC.

2007 (FC DALLAS): Played in 34 of the 37 games in all competitions. Scored eight goals in all competitions, tying him with Abe Thompson and Juan Toja for second on the team. Set new regular season career highs in games played, games started, and minutes. Converted winning penalty kick in USOC victory over Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-D1) on 7/9 to help DAL advance to quarterfinals. Scored first-ever SuperLiga goal in the 56th minute in a tie vs. Chivas de Guadalajara on 7/24. Finished with three SuperLiga goals, leading the team and finishing second in the tournament. Scored game-winning goal in U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals versus Charleston Battery on 8/7. Also scored in U.S. Open Cup Final vs. New England on 10/3. On 10/6 vs. CLB, scored a critical goal to give FCD a come-from-behind victory and clinch a playoff berth.

2006 (FC DALLAS): Appeared in 19 of DAL's 32 regular season games, tallying three goals and one assist. Scored the team's first (vs. CHI on 4/1) and last goals (vs. LA on 10/14) of the regular season. Scored the game-winning goal against HOU on 9/2. Also scored the game-winner against partner club Tigres on 7/19.

2005 (FC DALLAS): Played in 25 and started 15 matches. Made Dallas debut on 4/30 vs. LA. Scored his first goal with FC Dallas on 7/2 vs. SJ.

2004 (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES): Appeared in 11 matches with San Jose, making two starts. Scored the game-winning goal on 4/17 at NE as second-half sub.

2003 (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKE): Started five of 15 games in rookie season with San Jose. Made MLS debut on 4/19 vs. KC. Made first start on 6/14 at DAL, scoring first MLS goal and notching first MLS assist.

INTERNATIONAL (EL SALVADOR): The Houston-born Alvarez represented the United States on various youth levels before making his senior international debut for his parents’ native El Salvador on Sept. 5, 2009. Alvarez has since earned 43 caps, scoring four goals for El Salvador and has represented his side in the 2011 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 2014 Copa Centroamericana and FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches.

YOUTH (ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL): Attended and led St. Thomas High School to the state finals as a sophomore, before transferring to Mayde Creek High School, where he played his junior and senior years. Led Bear Creek United to Regional Finals in 2002. Was on the Regional III ODP team.