Evan Whitfield

Evan Dylan Whitfield (born June 23, 1977 in Phoenix, Arizona) is an American soccer defender and midfielder, who last played for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.

Whitfield attended Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ and later played college soccer at Duke University from 1995 to 1998, finishing his career with a goal and 15 assists in 75 games. Upon graduating, Whitfield was drafted by the Chicago Fire with the 11th overall pick of the 1999 MLS College Draft. He did not join the team right away, however, instead going to Belgian club KAA Gent. Not being able to break into the first team in Europe, he came back to MLS and joined the Fire midway through the 1999 season.

Whitfield has been in a constant in the Fire lineup since (except for missing most of the 2002 season due to a torn ACL), usually playing on the flanks, but equally adept and other positions in the defensive half of the field. Evan played for the United States in the 2000 Summer Olympics, and helped the Fire to the US Open Cup in 2000 and 2003. In five seasons with Chicago, he scored three goals and twelve assists, plus added a goal and assist in the playoffs. Whitfield was traded to expansion Salt Lake after the 2004 season, but was released from the team after five games with the club.