September 13, 2012
FIRE CONTINUES SHUFFLE
Barouch loaned to Israeli team

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Chicago Fire Soccer continues to shuffle its roster. On Thursday the club announced it has loaned forward Orr Barouch to Israeli side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. The 20-year-old Israeli-born striker will join the Tel Aviv side immediately.

“This loan provides Orr with an opportunity to earn consistent playing time,” said Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas. “Orr was interested in playing in Israel and Bnei Yehuda was a good fit. We look forward to monitoring Orr’s progress and development while he is playing in Israel.”

Barouch joined the Fire on loan from Mexican Primera side Tigres UANL on March 10, 2011. Barouch appeared in 28 league matches, tallying two goals and two assists during the 2011 MLS campaign. Barouch also led the team in scoring with three goals during the side’s run to the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final and added five goals during MLS Reserve League play.

The Fire purchased the rights to Barouch on Dec. 5, 2011. In the 2012 MLS Regular Season, he has appeared in nine games, starting the Fire’s June 2 match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Barouch started and played 84 minutes in the Fire’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third-round match on May 29.

Born in Haifa, Israel, Barouch made his international debut for the Israeli U-21 Men’s National Team in 2011 and has represented Israel at the U-21 level five times, scoring twice.