Chicago Fire forward Frank Klopas has retired. The Chicago product will remain with the Fire, joining the coaching staff as strength and conditioning specialist, and will also be involved in many of the team’s community affairs. “It’s very sad, having to say good-bye to a life-long career,” said the 33-year-old Klopas. “I’m thankful for all my accomplishments as a player, but I’m also very excited about taking this next step, especially with a team and a city that holds a special place in my heart. I feel this is the right time to step away and help our young talent so that they, too, can fulfill their dreams.” Klopas will train under strength and conditioning expert Vern Gambetta during the team’s spring training in Fort Lauderdale next month and will handle this duty exclusively for the Fire’s 2000 campaign, which kicks off on March 18 against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl. “I’m sad to see Frank retire, but I’m extremely happy he’s joining our coaching staff,” said Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley. “His positive demeanor is always inspiring to our players, and his years of expertise will be a real bonus to our team’s conditioning.” In the front office, Klopas will work closely with the Fire’s community relations department and non-profit organization, FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) to help develop and implement programs that will benefit Chicago’s diverse communities. In his two seasons with Chicago, Klopas registered six goals and five assists for 17 points in 40 appearances. Klopas helped Chicago to its double during its inaugural season. He scored Chicago’s first two goals at Soldier Field on April 4, 1998, against Tampa Bay, leading the team to a 2-0 victory in the Fire’s inaugural home opener. He scored his last goal — a golden goal — in overtime on Oct. 30, 1998, against Columbus, helping the Fire capture the 1998 U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 win at Soldier Field. Before arriving in Chicago, Klopas spent the 1996 and 1997 MLS campaigns with the Kansas City Wizards, playing in 49 games and scoring seven goals and 11 assists for 25 points. Born in Athens, Greece, Klopas grew up in Chicago and attended Mather High, which he led to the 1983 Chicago Public League title. Just one year later, Klopas made his professional debut at the age of 17 as he signed with the NASL’s Chicago Sting. When that league folded in 1984, Klopas continued to play indoors with the Sting for the next four seasons. He scored 68 goals and 42 assists for 100 points in 140 career games (1984-88) and earned an All-Star Selection during the 1986-87 campaign. Klopas went on to play for AEK Athens from 1988 to 1992. He scored six goals in 47 games with AEK, including four during his injury-free 1990-91 season. He returned to the U.S. and was part of the U.S. national team’s 1994 World Cup squad, though he did not appear in any action. He then transferred to Apollon of the Greek First Division and finally returned to the U.S. in 1996, when he joined MLS’s KC Wizards. He scored 12 goals in 40 full international appearances, making him the fifth all-time leading scorer. He was one of the stars of the ’95 U.S. team that reached the semifinals of the Copa America.