Change of Position Pushed FC Cincinnati Academy Star Stefan Chirila to Higher Levels, But Work Is Just Beginning

May 22, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release

With a Golden Boot already in the trophy case, FC Cincinnati Academy forward Stefan Chirila is starting to make a name for himself and prove what the Academy can do for the club. The 17-year-old Pennsylvania native signed his first professional contract with FC Cincinnati, the club announced yesterday, and will join the first team full-time in 2025.

A lot has changed for the Pennsylvania native over the past year. A change in home, club and position has all come during a jet-fuel-hot season with the FCC Academy U17s. After being at the Philadelphia Union Academy for six years, Chirila and his family decided it was time for a change, so the then 16-year-old looked for opportunities elsewhere. Director of Player Development Larry Sunderland, who had been keeping tabs on the then midfielder, scooped him up and put him with the U17s when the opportunity arose after a brief trial period.

It was during that trial period, though, that U17s Head Coach, Christiano Scapolo saw something in the player that made him think a move from the midfield to striker position would be best.

Since then, Chirila has scored 45 goals across all competitions and has signed an MLS Homegrown deal with FC Cincinnati that will begin in 2025. In the meantime, the youngster has concurrently signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract to continue playing with FC Cincinnati 2, where he has already been named MLS NEXT Rising Star of the Matchday twice for his work with the team.

“When I came on trial I originally came as a midfielder and on my second day here (Coach Christian Scapolo) asked me to try out the striker spot and, honestly, it just felt like a natural fit,” Chirila said. “Like it was meant to be. It was surprising to be honest, but it was just easy to go with the flow and keep performing.”

Chirila is, in many ways, the exact success story of how academies can successfully develop promising professional talent. The 17-year-old doesn’t come to the game with professional pedigree or family history of athletic achievement. His father, Sorin, immigrated to the United States from Romania. He brought his love of the game with him, a love he passed on to Stefan and his brother Andreji (a current Philadelphia Union Academy member) that took root in their boyhoods where the three would kick the ball around the yard and recreate moments from their favorite players. Stefan, in particular, played as Cristiano Ronaldo, he says,…