BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Oct. 12, 2022) - For the first time this season, all four Chicago Fire Academy age groups went undefeated in MLS NEXT play, with victories against FC United Academy taking place at the SeatGeek Stadium turf fields on Saturday, Oct. 8.
U-13 Academy
The youngest of the four Fire Academy age groups kicked off the weekend, with Gavyn Patel picking up a clean sheet to help the 13’s record a 1-0 victory over FC United Academy. Xavi Cervantes picked up the lone goal, tallying his second goal of the regular season. With this win, the U-13’s are 4-1-1 with 13 points in MLS NEXT play, good for second in the Mid-America division.
The U-13’s will face FC United Academy once again this weekend, this time facing them on the road at the Vernon Hills turf fields at 2:00 p.m. CT.
U-14 Academy
As for the U-14 Academy, their hot start continues. The undefeated streak is now six games with a 2-0 victory over FC United Academy this past Saturday. Goals from Hugo Berg and Darris Hyte led the way for the 14’s on the scoresheet, as they now sit at the top of the Mid-America division with a 6-0-0 record and 18 points, exactly double the amount of points as the second place team in the division, FC Cincinnati Academy.
The U-14’s look to make seven in a row this weekend against FC United Academy, with a 4:00 p.m. CT kickoff at the Vernon Hills turf fields on Saturday, Oct. 16.
U-15 Academy
The U-15 Academy also extends an undefeated streak of their own with a 2-1 victory over FC United Academy with Victor Pineda and Parker Amoo-Mensah helping carry the Fire to their fourth win in a row. With last weekend's win, the U-15’s are undefeated in both league play as well as MLS NEXT Flex play. They currently sit in second place of the Mid-America Division with 9 points, three behind the Columbus Crew Academy.
The U-15 Chicago Fire Academy looks to continue their hot streak in MLS NEXT Flex play this weekend against Vardar Academy at the Oakland University Dome in Rochester, Mich. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Kickoff is currently slated for 12:00 p.m. CT.
U-17 Academy
The oldest of the four age groups rounded out the undefeated weekend with a 3-2 victory of their own against FC United Academy. Highlighted by a brace from Dylan Borso and a tally from Michael Ramirez, the U-17’s record their second win this season, and their first in MLS NEXT Flex play, advancing to 1-0-2 this season. They currently sit in seventh place in the Mid-America Division with five points to start their campaign.
The U-17’s look for back-to-back wins on Saturday, Oct. 22 as they face Vardar Academy on the road. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. CT at the Oakland University Dome in Rochester, Mich.
