CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY TEAMS GO 3-0-1 IN WEEKEND PLAY
The Chicago Fire U-18 and U-16 Development Academy teams went 3-0-1 in U.S. Soccer Development Academy Great Lakes Division Play. The U-18s drew FC Milwaukee 3-3 on Saturday and defeated local rivals Sockers FC 1-0 on Sunday. The U-16s posted identical 1-0 wins against FC Milwaukee on Saturday and Sockers FC on Sunday.
The Fire U-18s kicked off the weekend at FC Milwaukee Complex in Germantown, Wisc on Saturday, June 2. The Fire went ahead early with Kellen Gulley’s eighth minute goal before FC Milwaukee’s Patrick Hodan scored the equalizer in the 30th minute. The Fire demonstrated resolve in the second half when they fell behind twice but were able to draw level both times. FC Milwaukee went ahead 2-1 with Michael Skow’s goal in the 65th minute but just four minutes later the Fire’s Joel Salmeron pulled one back with his goal in the 69th minute. FC Milwaukee found the lead again when Hodan notched his second goal of the match in the 77th minute, but the Fire’s Chisom Ogbonna found the back of the net in the 86th minute for a final score of 3-3.
In the second match of the day, Collin Fernandez scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute to give the Fire U-16s a 1-0 win over FC Milwaukee. Kyle Anthony Dal Santo was in goal for the Fire to preserve the shutout.
The Fire U-18s kicked off Sunday, June 3 against regional rivals Sockers FC at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill. The Fire’s Drew Conner scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute. Despite going down a man in the 50th minute when Joel Salmeron received a red card for dissent, the Fire held on for a 1-0 victory. Christian Lomelli started in goal and preserved the shutout for the Fire.
The Fire U-16s featured in the afternoon fixture against Sockers FC. Fire midfielder John Moderwell scored the only goal of the match in the 68th minute to give the Fire their second 1-0 victory of the weekend. Dal Santo again featured in goal for the Fire to notch his second shutout of the weekend.
The Chicago Fire Developmental Academy teams return to action when the U-18 and U-16 teams host Chicago Magic PSG on Sunday, June 10 at the Toyota Park Practice Field.
CHICAGO FIRE U-18 SQUAD BEST IN NATION, U-16s RANKED FOURTH
Despite their draw on Saturday, the Chicago Fire U-18s currently sit atop the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy nationwide standings. In 14 conference games, the Fire have a 12-0-2 record and have outscored their opponents 43 to 9. They hold an overall record of 17-2-2.
Zak Allen and Christian Lomelli have split time for the U-18s in goal this season, combining for eight shutouts in 14 games.
The Chicago Fire U-16s are currently ranked fourth in the nation, and are the highest ranked MLS squad in the Developmental Academy standings. In their 14 conference games, the Fire hold a 11-1-2 record, outscoring their opponents 24-7. Their overall record currently stands at 15-3-3.
Goalkeeper Kyle Anthony Dal Santo has recorded eight shutouts in 14 games for the U-16s.
FIRE TO HOLD TRYOUTS FOR CHICAGO FIRE YOUTH SOCCER CLUB
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that the club will hold tryouts for boys in the U-13 through U-18 age groups for the Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club on Saturday, June 9 at Toyota Park.
In addition to the fully-funded Academy Program which recently expanded to include the U-10 through U-18 age groups, the Chicago Fire will run a traditional youth soccer club based at Toyota Park. Formerly the Chicago Fire Youth Academy, the newly-named Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club (CFYSC) is intended for elite players hoping to qualify for the Fire’s fully-funded Academy program and progress to playing at the collegiate level.
The CFYSC is designed to maximize the frequency of training and give players access to the top soccer coaches and development facilities in the Midwest. Players will receive the highest level of instruction from USSF “A” licensed coaches with extensive playing and coaching backgrounds.
The CFYSC will utilize appropriate and competitive platforms to maximize player development. Teams will play in the top regional leagues and will participate in a minimum of three tournaments annually. For the high school age groups, tournament play will focus on college showcases to maximize exposure to college coaches. The younger age groups will travel primarily in the Midwest and participate in tournaments at the appropriate competitive levels.
The total cost of this fee-based program is set at $2,500 plus travel and uniforms. Payment plans are available.
Tryouts for all age groups will be held on Saturday, June 9 at the Toyota Park Practice Field.
AGE GROUP TIME
U13 (8/1/99-7/31/00) 10:00am
U14 (8/1/98-7/31/99) 11:30am
U15 (8/1/97-7/31/98) 1:00pm
U16 (8/1/96-7/31/97) 3:00pm
U17 (8/1/95-7/31/96) 4:30pm
U18 (1/1/94-7/31/95) 6:00pm
To register, please visit www.chicago-fire.com/development/fire-youth-soccer-club and for additional information please contact mlarson@chicago-fire.com.
In accordance with USYS protocol, all age groupings for the Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club are based on the August 1 – July 31 soccer year.
CHICAGO FIRE PDL POST PERFECT RECORD AGAINST CANADIAN SQUADS IN WEEKEND ACTION
The Chicago Fire PDL went undefeated over the weekend, notching a 3-1 win over the Hamilton FC Rage on Friday, June 1 at UIC Flames Field in Chicago, Ill. and a 3-2 win over the Toronto Lynx on Saturday, June 2 at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.
Tyler Engel opened scoring for the Fire in the 27th minute, and Tom Skelly doubled the lead with his goal in the 48th minute. Hamilton was able to get on the board when Stephen Powell scored in the 51st minute, but Fire midfielder Brady Wahl tallied minutes later for the give the team a 3-1 victory.
On Saturday the Fire took on the Toronto Lynx at Wheaton College. The Fire got an early lead when the Lynx knocked in an own goal. Engel doubled the lead in the 34th minute to give the Fire a 2-0 lead heading into halftime. Toronto was able to equalize with James Galvani and Macca Wilde’s goals in the 59th and 65th minutes, but the Fire’s Javier Torres found the Fire’s game-winner when he scored in the 77th minute for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Lynx.
The Chicago Fire PDL (3-1-0) return to action when they travel Canada on Friday, June 8 to take on Forest City London at the German-Canadian Club of London Field in Ontario, Canada. The next day, the Fire PDL will travel to Detroit to challenge the Michigan Bucks at Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi, Mich.
