Laurence Wootton Explained

Laurence Wootton
Fullname:Laurence Thomas Wootton
Birth Date:10 January 2000
Birth Place:Halstead, England
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Indy Eleven
(on loan from Chicago Fire)
Clubnumber:16
Youthyears1:2006–2017
Youthclubs1:Stoke City
Youthyears2:2017–2020
Youthclubs2:Cardiff City
Collegeyears1:2020–2023
College1:Ohio State Buckeyes
Collegecaps1:63
Collegegoals1:18
Years1:2024–
Clubs1:Chicago Fire
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2024–
Clubs2:Indy Eleven (loan)
Caps2:13
Goals2:1
Club-Update:7 August 2024

Laurence Thomas Wootton (born 10 January 2000) is an English footballer who plays for USL Championship club Indy Eleven, on loan from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.

Early life

Wootton grew up in Halstead, England, and joined the Stoke City Academy at age six, spending ten years there before joining Welsh club Cardiff City's Academy, where he spent another three years.[1]

College career

In May 2020, he committed to attend Ohio State University in the United States to play for their men's soccer team.[2] [3] On 3 March 2021, he scored his first collegiate goal in a victory over the Michigan State Spartans.[4] At the end of his freshman season, he was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year.[5] [6] He was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team, the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and the All-Big Ten Tournament Team.[7]

Ahead of his sophomore season, he was named a team captain.[8] [9] [10] In October 2021, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and was also ranked as the #21 nationally ranked collegiate player.[11] [12] At the end of the season, he was again named to the All-Big Ten First Team, the All-North Region Second Team, First Team All-Ohio, Academic All-Big Ten, and the team's MVP.[13]

During his junior season in 2022, he once again earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week in August.[14] [15] At the end of the season, he was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, Academic All-Big Ten, and the All-America Third Team.[16] [17] [18]

Ahead of his senior season, he was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.[19] At the end of the season, he was once again named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and earned his fourth consecutive All-Big Ten First Team honour.[20] [21] He was also named to the All-North Region First Team.[22] He finished his four seasons with Ohio State with 17 goals in 62 matches.[23]

Club career

At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Wootton was selected in the third round (64th overall) by Chicago Fire FC.[24] In April 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the club with options for 2025 through 2027, and was immediately sent on loan to the Indy Eleven of the USL Championship for the 2024 season.[25] [26] Wootton made his debut for Indy Eleven on 17 April 2024, in a 1–0 U.S. Open Cup win over Chicago Fire FC II, the MLS Next Pro affiliate team of his parent club. Wootton scored his first professional goal on 5 July 2024, scoring the opening goal for Indy Eleven in a 3–3 draw against Rhode Island FC.[27]

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeaguePlayoffsNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chicago Fire FC2024Major League Soccer00000000
Indy Eleven (loan)2024USL Championship1310030161
Career total131003000161

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Men's soccer: Laurence Wootton a natural fit for Buckeye midfield. Patrick. Mayhorn. May 3, 2021. Buckeye Sports Bulletin.
  2. Web site: English midfielder Laurence Wootton signs with Ohio State men's soccer program. May 8, 2020. Soccerwire.
  3. Web site: Buckeyes Sign Wootton for 2020. May 7, 2020. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  4. Web site: Back-to-Back Shutouts for the Buckeyes with 2-0 Win at MSU. March 3, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  5. Web site: Ohio State midfielder Laurence Wootton name B1G Freshman of the Year. Patrick. Mayhorn. April 10, 2021. Buckeye Sports Bulletin.
  6. Web site: Wootton Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. April 9, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  7. Web site: Laurence Wootton Ohio State profile. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  8. Web site: Buzzas, Wootton Named 2021 Captains. August 25, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  9. Web site: Men's Soccer: Wootton honored by awards and captain status, but eager to improve. November 29, 2021. Justin. Howard. The Lantern.
  10. Web site: Men's Soccer: Buzzas and Wootton honored and humbled to lead Buckeyes. October 18, 2021. The Lantern. Justin. Howard.
  11. Web site: Big Ten Names Wootton Offensive Player of the Week. October 26, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  12. Web site: Wootton Named Top 25 Collegiate Player. October 21, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  13. Web site: Wootton Named 2021 First Team All-Big Ten. November 5, 2021. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  14. Web site: Wootton Named B1G Offensive POW. August 30, 2022. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  15. Web site: Men's Soccer: Wootton named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. August 30, 2022. Gaurav. Law. The Lantern.
  16. Web site: Wootton, McLaughlin Earn All-Region Recognition. December 6, 2022. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  17. Web site: Wootton Named 2022 All-American by United Soccer Coaches. December 9, 2022. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  18. Web site: Olympic Recap: Volleyball Season Closes, Goldean and Wootton All-Americans. December 14, 2022. Andy. Anders. Buckeye Sports Bulletin.
  19. Web site: Wootton Named to 2023 Hermann Trophy Watch List. August 24, 2023. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  20. Web site: Wootton Repeats, Several Buckeyes Earn Big Ten Honors. November 3, 2023. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  21. Web site: Men's Soccer: Wootton and Pechota among five Buckeyes to receive Big Ten honors. November 15, 2023. Adam. Eskender. The Lantern.
  22. Web site: Wootton Named All -North Region by United Soccer Coaches. December 6, 2023. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  23. Web site: Wootton Drafted By Chicago Fire FC Tuesday. December 19, 2023. Ohio State Buckeyes.
  24. Web site: Men's Soccer: Wootton drafted 64th overall to the Chicago Fire Football Club. Lauryn. Luderman. December 20, 2023. The Lantern.
  25. Web site: Chicago Fire FC Signs 2024 MLS SuperDraft Pick Laurence Wootton. April 3, 2024. Chicago Fire FC.
  26. Web site: Boys in Blue Acquire Laurence Wootton on Loan from Chicago Fire. April 3, 2024. Indy Eleven.
  27. Web site: Recap - RI 3:3 IND . Indy Eleven. 5 July 2024.