Chicago Fire Academy Record Six Victories in MLS NEXT Play Last Weekend 

CHICAGO (Nov. 6, 2023) - The Chicago Fire Academy recorded yet another successful weekend in MLS NEXT play. Out of the seven matches played, the Fire notched six victories highlighted by five games with 5+ goals scored.  

U-13 Academy 

The U-13 Academy would kickstart the weekend slate with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Michigan Jaguars. Owen Fried had a performance to remember, picking up a hat-trick in the win. Griffin Dixon notched a brace in the opening contest of the weekend en route to another victory for the youngest members of the Academy.  

The following afternoon, the U-13's claimed another impressive win. Last Sunday saw the U-13's pick up a 5-0 clean sheet victory over the Michigan Wolves. Dixon scored his third goal of the weekend, with a brace from Liam Schmitz highlighting Sunday’s victory. Markas Steponavicius and Lionel Espinola completed the scoring for the U-13's.  

U-14 Academy 

Last Saturday, the U-14's also played host to the Michigan Jaguars in what was an 8-1 win over the Michigan-based side. Michael Gomez recorded a hat-trick, while the duo of Ben Miller and Nathan Panduro notched braces of their own. George Valenti finished the scoring in what was an impressive offensive performance for Chicago. 

Sunday afternoon saw no fatigue from the U-14's. The Fire defeated the Michigan Wolves, 6-1, at the SeatGeek Stadium turf fields the following day. Gomez and Miller added to their weekend goal total with one each, while Ivan Garcia, Henry Garcia, Omar Gonzalez, and Christopher Morales each contributed on the scoresheet with tallies of their own. 

U-15 Academy 

The U-15 Academy opened their weekend with a 2-1 loss against the FC Cincinnati Academy on Saturday, Nov. 4. The loss saw Robert Turdean record the lone goal of the match for Chicago. 

The following afternoon, the Fire bounced back with a 4-0 clean-sheet victory over the Michigan Wolves on home turf. Turdean was the catalyst for Chicago again, recording a brace in the victory. Darris Hyte and Kasen Brandy rounded out the scoring for the Fire last Sunday afternoon. 

U-19 Academy 

Finally, the oldest members of the Chicago Fire Academy would end the weekend slate of matches with a convincing 5-0 win over the Michigan Wolves on Sunday, Nov. 5 at the SeatGeek Stadium turf pitches. Giovanni Granda scored a pair of goals in the victory, and the Fire saw contributions on the scoresheet from Michael Nesci, Michael Ramirez, and Easton Bogard.