Hill School grad drafted to MLS
Former All-Area player Mark Forrest selected by Chicago
BETHLEHEM > > It was a big day for Lehigh men’s soccer on Monday afternoon, as senior forward Mark Forrest was selected in the fourth round, 77th overall by the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Forrest becomes the fifth player under The Ingrassia Family Men’s Head Soccer Coach Dean Koski to be drafted by an MLS team.
The 2018 season was another historic year for Forrest, who capped it off with his second consecutive Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year award and second consecutive First Team AllAtlantic Region nod. His 41 career goals and 103 points rank second all-time in Lehigh and Patriot League history.
In addition to his on-field accolades, Mark was named a Senior CLASS Award First Team AllAmerican.
“I’m really happy for Mark and proud of all of his accomplishments as a student-athlete in our program,” said Koski.
“I have no doubt that if Mark sets his mind to making it to the first team, he will eventually get there.”
– Lehigh University men’s soccer coach Dean Koski on Mark Forrest being drafted by the Chicago Fire
“Getting drafted by the Chicago Fire is a capstone to his high school, club and college career and the beginning of a new chapter in his professional career. I have no doubt that if Mark sets his mind to making it to the first team, he will eventually get there.”
Forrest spent the summer before his senior season with the Reading United of USL League 2 and will join the Fire, who previously won the MLS Cup in 1998. He is the second player in program history to be drafted by the Fire after Kevin Jackson ‘00.
“The Chicago Fire is an outstanding organization and their General Manager, Nelson Rodriguez and Head Coach Paunovic are exceptional at what they do,” Koski said. “Accordingly, they will allow Mark to finish school before he embarks on his pro career.”
Forrest joins Bowling Green’s Ebenezer Ackon and Loyola Chicago’s Grant Stoneman as the Fire’s third and fourth round draft picks.