CHICAGO (June 13, 2023) - The Chicago Fire Academy participated in the annual Patterson Cup held in Kansas City, Missouri. A yearly competition that showcases the best MLS academies in a quest for silverware before the MLS NEXT postseason.
U-12 Academy
The youngest members of the Academy began their journey to the final entering two teams Chicago Fire FC and Chicago Fire FC II. Chicago Fire was placed in Group A with Inter Miami, Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta United II. Whilst in Group B with Atlanta United, Austin FC and Colorado Rapids academies were paired with Chicago Fire FC II.
In their opening match Chicago Fire FC were defeated 2-1 by Atlanta United. The Fire would then bounce back in their second match against RSL-AZ winning 5-1. In their final match of the group stage the Fire were defeated 1-0 against Inter Miami CF ending their cup run.
Chicago Fire FC II opened their campaign winning 5-2 against Austin FC. In their second match against Colorado Rapids the Fire won 3-0. In their first matchup against Atlanta United the Fire were defeated 4-0. But in their second matchup against Atlanta United, the Fire beat Atlanta United 3-1. Advancing to the semi-finals against Sporting Kansas City. The match resulted in a 3-0 win for the Fire, helping them book a spot in the finals. In the final matchup against Atlanta United, the Fire recorded a 4-2 victory to clinch the Patterson Cup championship.
U-13 Academy
The U-13’s was placed in Group D with Austin FC and Inter Miami CF. In their opening game against Inter Miami the Fire won 2-1. Inter Miami recorded an own goal to give Chicago the advantage, before Michael Gomez tallied the second goal for the Fire to seal the opening victory.
In their second match, the Fire would defeat RSL-AZ, 2-1. Michael Gomez scored his second of the tournament to open the scoring, and was followed by a goal from Miguel Campos to once again lead Chicago to the win. In their final group stage match against Austin FC, the Fire prevailed with a 2-1 victory. Miguel Campos and Michael Gomez both registered goals for Chicago, whilst teammate Caleb Aleman and Gomez each registered an assist. With the results, the U-13's advanced to the semifinals to take on Atlanta United, where they fell 4-3 to conclude their Patterson Cup appearance.
U-14 Academy
The oldest participating academy members were placed in Group D with Inter Miami CF, RSL-AZ and FC Dallas. The opening match against FC Dallas resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Fire. Nolan Weiss opened the scoring for the Fire and teammate Darris Hyte scored the second to seal the win for the Fire.
In their second match against RSL-AZ the Fire won 2-1. Kristopher Caravantes opened the scoring for the Fire whilst Darris Hyte found himself on the scoresheet once again. In their matchup against Inter Miami CF the Fire won 4-0. Against Austin FC, the Fire would draw 1-1 and advance to the semifinals against D.C. United the following day. The Fire would beat D.C. United 1-0 catapulting them into the tournament final, where they fell 3-1 against Atlanta United.
