CHICAGO (May 10, 2023) - The Chicago Fire Academy returned to MLS NEXT Play this past weekend at the SeatGeek Stadium turf pitches to welcome the FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew Academies in MLS NEXT Flex action over the weekend.
U-13 Academy
The youngest members of the Academy opened their weekend at home, taking on FC Cincinnati. The match resulted in a 4-3 loss for the Fire. Edgar Miguel Campos recorded a hat-trick while Declan Harvey registered an assist. With the results from the weekend, the Fire currently sits in fifth place in the Mid-American Division with a record of (10-6-7, 37 points).
The U-13 Academy will resume MLS NEXT play at home Saturday, May 20 at SeatGeek Stadium as they welcome Bavarian United SC. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. CT. The next day, Chicago hosts Midwest United FC on Sunday, May 21 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. CT.
U-14 Academy
The U-14's played a single match against FC Cincinnati at SeatGeek Stadium. The match resulted in a 5-2 victory for the Fire. Denzel Palacios opened the scoring for the Fire. Minutes later, Christian Flores found the back of the net to double the lead for Chicago. Robert Turdean and Darris Hyte would also record a tally in the victory. And the final goal was scored by Leon Smars. Turdean registered three assists in the victory. While teammate Christian Flores and Jesus Ronaldo Garcia recorded single assists. With the results from the weekend, the Fire currently sits in first place in the Mid-American Division with a record of (25-0-2, 65 points).
The U-14's will resume MLS NEXT play at home against Bavarian United SC on Saturday, May 20 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT. The next day, Chicago hosts Midwest United FC on Sunday, May 21 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT.
U-15 Academy
The U-15's played a doubleheader this weekend. Their first matchup against FC Cincinnati at SeatGeek Stadium resulted in a 2-0 win. Vitaliy Hlyut opened the scoring converting from the penalty spot. Then Emir Herrera would seal the victory scoring the second goal as teammate Dylan Healy registered an assist. In their second match, the Fire recorded a 2-1 victory against Columbus Crew. Nick Metrega opened the scoring as Easton Bogard registered an assist. Bogard would later score a goal being assisted by Oleh Hrytsiv. With the results from the weekend, the Fire currently sit in second place in the Central North Division with a record of (6-2-2, 20 points).
The U-15's will head to Maryland for the MLS NEXT Flex tournament that will take place from May 12-16, 2023 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. The U-15's are in Group B, and will start tournament play against Ballistic United SC on Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. CT. The following day, they’ll face LA Surf Soccer Club at 3 p.m. CT, before rounding out Round Robin play against Toronto FC two days later at 8:30 a.m. CT.
U-17 Academy
The oldest members of the Academy opened their double header weekend taking on FC Cincinnati at SeatGeek Stadium. The match resulted in a 2-1 victory. Nick Mitrega opened the scoring as Easton Bogard registered an assist. Bogard would score one of his own with Oleh Hrytsiv recording the assist. With the results from the weekend, the Fire currently sit in third place in the Central North Division with a record of (4-3-3, 15 points).
The U-17's will also travel to Maryland this weekend to participate in the MLS NEXT Flex tournament that will take place from May 12-16, 2023 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. The U-17's are in Group E, and kick off their tournament play against the BW Gottschee Academy on Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. CT. They’ll then face off against Inter Miami CF the following day at 1 p.m. CT, before rounding out Round Robin play against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday, May 16 at 1 p.m. CT.
