Drew Conner

PLAYER PROFILE:  DREW CONNER

By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)

Position: MID
Primary Role: Holding Midfielder
Height: 6’0””
Weight: 165
DOB: 02-18-1994
Nationality: United States
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: Chicago Fire (MLS)
Twitter: @Drew_Conner1

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

No national team experience with the United States.

CURRENT STATUS:

Senior at Wisconsin (NCAA –D1), Signed Homegrown contract with Chicago Fire.

PLAYING CAREER:

2008-2009: Chicago Fire U16 (USSDA) – 15 games, 9 starts
2009-2010: Chicago Fire U16 (USSDA) – 30 games, 28 starts, 2 goals, 6 yellows
2010-2011: Chicago Fire U16 (USSDA) – 25 games, 25 starts, 4 goals, 4 yellows
2011-2012: Chicago Fire U18 (USSDA) – 25 games, 25 starts, 6 goals, 3 yellows, 1 red
2012: Chicago Fire U23 (PDL) – 4 games, 206 minutes
2012: Wisconsin (NCAA – D1) – 18 games, 18 starts, 2 goals, 1 assist, 15 shots on target, 1 yellow
2013: Chicago Fire U23 (PDL) – 5 games, 289 minutes, 1 total shot
2013: Wisconsin (NCAA – D1) – 21 games, 21 starts, 1 goal, 5 assists, 6 shots on target, 3 yellows
2014: Chicago Fire U23 (PDL) – 13 games, 1128 minutes, 1 goal, 1 total shot
2014: Wisconsin (NCAA – D1) – 17 games, 17 starts, 2 goals, 1 assist, 4 shots on target, 5 yellows
2015: Wisconsin (NCAA -D1) – 17 games, 17 starts, 1 goal, 3 assists, 6 shots on target, 7 yellows, 1 red

ANALYSIS:

Conner played for Carey Grove HS and named to Illinois All-State team. He has been part of the Chicago Fire academy since 2008, playing 70 games with the USSDA U-16 club, starting 62 games and scoring six goals. He moved up to the U-18 club in 2010-2011, playing 25 games scoring six goals. He then joined the Chicago Fire U23 PDL in 2012, playing a total of 1623 minutes in 22 games and scoring one goal so far over three years.

Connor signed with Wisconsin, where head coach John Trask said “Drew is a player who will have an immediate impact in the midfield, he has the tools to be one of the top midfielders in the country. The Chicago Fire Youth Academy coaches have done an outstanding job helping Drew develop his game. His technical ability, tactical awareness and competitive edge will allow Drew to have an outstanding career here at UW.”

Connor was a starter as a freshman, starting all 18 games, scoring two goals and providing an assist on his way to being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. In 2013, He was named to the Big Ten second-team after playing 21 games, scoring one goal, five assists and helping Wisconsin make the National Tournament. Last year was a struggle for the Badgers, Connor scoring two goals and providing an assist.

Connor doesn’t have the athleticism of other holding midfielders, but he is a good link man and can provide some offence from the position when asked including talking shots from edge of the 18-yard box. Defensively, he plays his position well and is willing to make the tackle if necessary while also showing the stamina to play a full 90 minutes. The Badgers struggles in 2014 slowed down Drew forward momentum, which means he is returning as a senior in 2015.

Signing a Homegrown contract with the Fire, Conner will provide depth in the midfield for the first team. Expect him to split time between MLS and the clubs USL affiliate Saint Louis FC.

HIGHLIGHTS:

+ Four years in USSDA and three years of PDL
+ Holding midfielder who can distribute the ball
+ 2012 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year
+ Signed Homegrown contract with Chicago Fire