United have acquired former Chicago Fire defender Kevin Ellis and have added him to the first team roster ahead of the MLS roster freeze deadline on Sept. 14. Defender Taylor Kemp, who underwent hip surgery earlier in the year, was added to the Season Ending Injury List to accommodate the transaction.
Ellis began the 2018 season with the Chicago Fire where he scored two goals and recorded four MLS assists in 20 appearances, before being placed on waivers by the club on Aug 9. Ellis spent seven seasons with Sporting Kansas City where the Kansas City, MO., native signed his first professional contract as a Homegrown player on Feb. 18, 2011.
"Kevin is a versatile defender who can play anywhere along the back line,” Dave Kasper, United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations, said. "This is an important depth move for us, and we are pleased to be adding an experienced MLS player in the prime of his career."
In seven seasons with Sporting, Ellis appeared in 68 league games, scoring five goals and recording five assists. Ellis has made three career post-season appearances and scored his first playoff goal in a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Oct. 29, 2015.
Player: Kevin Ellis
Position: Defender
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
Country: United States
Birthdate: 06/30/1991
Age: 27
Height: 5’9"
Weight: 160
Previous Club: Chicago Fire
Status: Domestic
Transaction: United acquire Kevin Ellis on waivers and place Taylor Kemp on the Season Ending Injury list.
