BERKELEY – On Sunday, California celebrated the highlights of the 2017 season at the team banquet. With the Golden Bears making their 12th post season appearance in the last 17 years, there were a lot of accolades and awards to distribute and accomplishments to acknowledge.
 
One of the most notable announcements, which came early Sunday morning, was that senior defender Josh Morton would be Cal's next player to turn professional.
 
Morton, a Brentwood, Calif., native, was selected as the 15th pick in the fourth round (84th overall) of the 2018 MLS Superdraft by the Chicago Fire, the league announced on the second day of the draft that began last Friday with the first two rounds.
 
"Josh had a great four year career at Cal and he has been rewarded for it by his selection in the MLS Superdraft," Bears head coach Kevin Grimes said. "He follows a long list of Cal players that have moved on to the MLS. The Chicago Fire will be happy with his continued progress and development over the next few years."
 
The defender becomes the 19th Bear currently in the professional soccer arena. He will join former teammate Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes) in the MLS circuit and is the fourth Bear in the last two years to turn pro along with Lima, Christian Thierjung (Tulsa Roughnecks FC) and Jonathan Klinsmann (Hertha BSC). Morton also makes the second player in the last two seasons to be selected in the Superdraft – Thierjung was selected sixth during the third round (50th overall) by the Quakes in 2017.
 
Morton closed his Cal career with two goals and three assists. He started nearly every game of his collegiate career, making 63 starts in 65 appearances. He earned an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 list in his senior season.

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