Good teams take care of business when they should.
And that's what all three Fire Academy teams did Saturday in Milwaukee.
The U18s, U16s and U14s all defeated the FC Wisconsin Nationals with thorough wins.
U18s respond after early deficit
In the first game Saturday, the Fire U18s found themselves down a goal early but responded to win 2-1.
They now lead the Mid-America Division in points with 16, as they sit 5-0-1 while based on the U.S.S.D.A’s “points per game” measure, Shattuck-Saint Mary's Soccer Academy (Minnesota) technically sits atop the group at 5-0-0.
Luca Giovane's first-half goal tied things up, as he finished after Alex Underwood sent a good delivery into the box.
Collin Fernandez's bomb put the Fire up midway through the second half. A ball was played back to him about 25 yards out, and he delivered into the upper-left netting.
U16s win comfortably
The U16s steadily dispatched the Nationals, taking a 3-1 win. They’re now 2-2-2 in the Mid-America Division, ahead of the Nationals, who are 1-1-1.
Ben Rhoder’s strong individual effort and finish made it 1-0 in the 11th minute, and Miguel Martinez found the net off a through ball and put the Fire up 2-0 in the 34th minute.
Jack Shaw pushed the lead to 3-0 with a run down the left side, beating the goalkeeper and scoring in the 63rd minute.
The Nationals put away a goal in the final minutes, a minor hiccup in the Fire’s triumph.
U14s grab a win
The U14s jumped out to an early lead, then put away a late goal in a 2-0 win.
David Gorniak's run down the right side ended with a goal in the fifth minute, enough to give the Fire a 1-0 halftime lead.
In the 77th minute, Andrew Akindele scored after a good combination of passes in the middle of the field.
With the win the U14 Academy sits atop the Mid America Division with a 5-0-1 record.
U16s, U14s head west for Generation adidas Cup
The Fire Academy will be taking a break from their USSDA season to begin their 2013-14 MLS Generation adidas Cup compeitition this coming weekend.
The Fire Academy will begin their yearlong quest for the coveted Generation adidas Cup, for supremacy among MLS academies, with a Regional competition event being held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO, home of the Colorado Rapids.
The U16 and U14 Academies will travel to Colorado, each for three matches this weekend, with the U16s participating the U17 GA Division and the U14s participating in the U15 GA Division.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 11
Chicago Fire U15s vs. FC Dallas U15s – 5:00pm MT
Chicago Fire U17s vs. Houston Dynamo U17s – 7:15pm MT
Saturday, October 12
Chicago Fire U15s vs. Real Salt Lake U15s – 5:00pm MT
Chicago Fire U17s vs. Sporting KC U17s – 7:15pm MT
Monday, October 14
Chicago Fire U15s vs. Colorado Rapids U15s – 9:00am MT
Chicago Fire U17s vs. FC Dallas U17s – 11:15am MT
The U18 Academy will take the weekend off before resuming USSDA league play on Sat. Oct 19 vs. the Minnesota Thunder Academy at Toyota Park.
