CHICAGO (Sept. 5, 2024) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Chicago Fire Academy U-13 Team will participate in the Burnley FC Dude Perfect International Youth Cup from Sept. 6-8 in Burnley, England. Chicago will have two teams participating in the 9-v-9 tournament, facing off against SL Benfica, Arsenal and Rangers in Group C, and AC Milan, Newcastle and Burnley in Group D.
The Fire will travel with 20 players to the tournament, 15 of which were identified and signed to the Academy through Chicago Fire Discovery Centers. Tournament matches will last for 50 minutes, and the group stage of the tournament will be followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and the Cup final, as well as a consolation bracket that will culminate in the Plate final.
Chicago will kick off their tournament run with Chicago Fire A taking on Burnley at 8:00 a.m. CT and AC Milan at 10:00 a.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 6 in group play. That same day Chicago Fire B will face SL Benfica at 6:00 a.m. CT and Arsenal at 8:00 a.m. CT. Group play will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 7, with Chicago Fire B playing Rangers at 4:00 a.m. CT and Chicago Fire A lining up against Newcastle at 5:00 a.m. CT.
Knockout round matches will begin on Saturday, with opponents to be determined based on results during the group phase.
