Getting a chance to play on the Toyota Park stadium field, two Chicago Fire Academy teams went through a rollercoaster ride Sunday before settling for draws against Academy affiliate Indiana Fire.
The U14 team meanwhile, made things a little easier in a big win to start the day.
U14s cruise to win
In the first game of the day, the Chicago Fire U14s took care of business in a 4-0 win over Indiana, moving to a clean 8-0-2 record.
A pair of goals in each half more than did the trick, with Tim Iscra putting in the final two goals.
Midfielder Adrian Ortega put in his team-best fifth goal of the season in the 22nd minute, and just three minutes later, Brayden Calipari finished off a cross in the box to make it 2-0.
After just subbing in minutes earlier, Iscra put away a goal in the 70th minute, then finished off the win with another tally 10 minutes later.
Goalkeeper Raymon Rojas earned his third shutout of the season.
U18s come back for tie
In the day's second match, things got more interesting. The Chicago Fire U18s took an early lead but had to come back for a 2-2 draw.
The result pushes the side to a 5-1-3 record, tied for third in the Mid-America Division. They and Sockers FC are both averaging two points per match, though the Fire have played more matches.
Qudus Lawal's goal in the 55th minute, his fifth of the season, was enough to square the game for good.
That was after Indiana took the lead early in the second half, scoring in the 51st minute. Indiana also scored in the 35th minute to tie the match.
The Fire took the early lead when Collin Fernandez’s shot from the top the box found the net in the 10th minute.
U15-16s also draw
The topsy-turviness continued with the U16s, who also tied 2-2 against Indiana to move to 3-3-3.
The Fire fell behind in the 33rd minute, but Ben Rhoder scored right at the start of the second half to even things up.
Indiana quickly responded, scoring on a header in the 41st minute to regain the lead.
The Fire's Louis St. John tied things for good in the 62nd minute. He took a pass about 25 yards out, took a couple touches, then put his shot into an upper corner to account for the final score.
Both teams had quality chances later but couldn't find the odd goal for the win.
All three Chicago Fire Academy teams travel to Michigan this weekend to face Vardar (Saturday at Hurley Field in Berkley, Mich.) and Crew Soccer Academy Wolves (Sunday at Jaycee Park in Livonia, Mich.)
