CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY U18s REMAIN TOP-RANKED CLUB IN THE NATION
The Chicago Fire U-18 and U-16 Development Academy teams went 0-0-2 in U.S. Soccer Development Academy Great Lakes Division Play. The U-18s drew Chicago Magic PSG 1-1 and the U-16s drew 0-0 on Sunday, June 10.
The Fire U-18s kicked off first on the Toyota Park Practice Field. The Fire went ahead first with Luis Barajas’ goal in the 20th minute. In the second half, the Magic were able to equalize with Chris Rassel’s goal in the 59th minute and the game ended 1-1.
In the second match of the day, the Fire U-16s and Chicago Magic played to a 0-0 draw. Kyle Anthony Dal Santo was in goal for the Fire to preserve his fourth consecutive shutout. The U-16s have not allowed a goal since a 5-1 win over Internationals FC May 19.
The Fire U-18s (17-2-3) maintain their position as the top-ranked club in the nation. Holding a 12-0-3 divisional record with 39 points, the Fire are six points ahead of second place Vardar SC Freiburg (Michigan) in the Great Lakes Division. With the draw the Fire U-16s (15-3-4) fell to second place in the Great Lakes Division with a 11-1-3 record. With 36 points they are tied with the Crew Soccer Academy Wolves (Michigan).
The Chicago Fire Developmental Academy teams return to action for their final game of the regular season when they visit fellow Chicago Fire club Indiana Fire Academy on Sunday, June 17 at Butler University Turf Field in Indianapolis, Ind. The U-18s kickoff first at 10:00 a.m. CT and the U-16s follow at 12:30 p.m. CT.
CHICAGO FIRE PDL POST 1-1-1 RECORD IN RECENT MATCHES
The Chicago Fire PDL have been busy recently, playing matches in Canada, Michigan and Kentucky in just five days.
On Saturday, June 8 the Fire PDL headed to London, Ontario to challenge Forest City London. The Fire went ahead early when Harry Shipp found the back of the net in the fifth minute. FC London’s Denver Spearman scored in the 55th minute and Tyler Hemming added a second in the 75th. In the 92nd minute, FC London were whistled for a handball in the box and Shipp converted the ensuing penalty kick to give the visiting side a 2-2 draw in Canada.
The next day the Fire PDL took on the Michigan Bucks at Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi, Mich. The Bucks went ahead in the 24th minute behind Nate Boyden’s goal and held on for a 1-0 victory.
On Tuesday, June 12 the Fire PDL traveled to Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Ky. to challenge the Cincinnati Kings. The Fire went ahead almost immediately with Harry Petts’ second minute goal. The Kings’ Andy Montgomery (45’), Luke Spencer (79’) and Leon Powel (90’) scored three unanswered goals as the hosts emerged victorious 3-1.
The Chicago Fire PDL (3-3-1) return to action when they travel to Kentucky on Thursday, June 14 to take on the River City Rovers at Centurion Soccer Field in Louisville, Ky.
CHICAGO FIRE PDL MIDFIELDER TYLER ENGEL NAMED PDL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Midfielder Tyler Engel was named USL Premier Development League Player of the Week after her recorded three goals and two assists in the Fire PDL’s three victories last week.
Engel tallied one goal and an assists in the Fire’s 3-1 victory over the Chicago Inferno May 30, one goal in the Fire’s 3-1 win against Hamilton FC Rage June 1 and one goal and one assist in the Fire’s 3-2 victory over the Toronto Lynx June 2.
Engel, a Chicago Fire Academy product and Orland Park, Ill. native, is a redshirt sophomore at Southern Methodist University.
VICTOR PINEDA FEATURES IN ALL THREE MATCHES FOR U.S. U-20 NATIONAL TEAM
Chicago Fire midfielder Victor Pineda played every minute of the recent U.S. U-20 MNT’s trip to South America. The U.S. played two games against Uruguay before taking on Chile.
On Wednesday, June 6 the U.S. dropped a 4-2 decision to Uruguay at Gran Parque Central in Montevideo. Pineda went the full 90 minutes and scored in the 28th minute before assisting on Daniel Garcia’s goal in the 91st minute.
The U-20s against faced off against Uruguay on Friday, June 8 at Parque Viera in Montevideo, Uruguay. Pineda played the entire game as the U.S. dropped the match 2-0.
The U.S. then traveled to take on Chile at Estadio Santa Laura in Santiago on Tuesday, June 12. Pineda again went the full 90 for the U.S. as they fell 2-0 in their final match of their South American tour.
FERNANDEZ NAMED TO U.S. U-15 BNT ROSTER FOR COPA MEXICO DE NACIONES
Chicago Fire U-16 midfielder Collin Fernandez was named to the U.S. U-15 Boys National Team 20-player roster by head coach Tony Lepore for the Copa Mexico de Naciones tournament in Mexico City.
Drawn into Group B, the U.S. opens group play against Spain on Monday, June 18, at 12 p.m. CT. Group matches continue for the U.S. against Costa Rica on June 19 at 12 p.m. CT and Colombia on June 20 at 12 p.m. CT. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinal round on June 22 with the tournament final scheduled for June 24.
