MLS Chicago Fire FC

Academy Goes 5-1-2 Over Past Week

Published on June 2, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (June 2, 2010) - The Chicago Fire PDL began their quest to qualify for their second-straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with two victories to open the season: 2-0 over the Kalamazoo Outrage (May 19) and 1-0 against the Indiana Invaders (May 22).

Halfway to Open Cup qualification, the PDL side hit a snag last Tuesday, May 25 when they fell 2-1 to the Cincinnati Kings on the TOYOTA PARK Turf Field. Finding themselves down 2-0 at halftime, the Fire came out blazing in the second frame but lost their momentum when striker Tom Oatley was sent off for a challenge on Kings goalkeeper Corey Wisenhunt in the 50th minute. Midfielder Andy Adlard's 79th minute penalty was the only consolation for the Fire as they suffered their first-ever loss to Cincinnati since the teams began playing each other in 2008.

With qualifying for the Open Cup still a possibility, the Fire traveled to take on the Cleveland Internationals Saturday night needing three points and help from other teams to take the Great Lakes Division's spot in the prestigious knockout tournament. Showing their dominance through long stretches of the match, the Fire PDL failed to capitalize on their opportunities until midfielder Kenny Walker's 30-yard blast beat Internationals' goalkeeper Anthony Ponikvar in the 70th minute.

Cleveland responded 11 minutes later when defender Josh Williams crossed from the left, finding Stefan Ostergren who slipped a near-post shot past Fire goalkeeper Alex Riggs in the 81st minute.

The Fire PDL side (2-1-1; 7 pts. in Great Lakes Division) returns to action this Thursday when they welcome long-time division and conference rival the Michigan Bucks (3-1-0; 9 pts. in Great Lakes Division) to the TOYOTA PARK Turf Field at 6pm. The Fire hold the edge over the Detroit-based side, going 11-6-1 since 2001.

This year marks the first season since 2002 that neither club will participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with the Dayton Dutch Lions taking the Great Lakes Division spot.

Fire Academy

The Chicago Fire U16 and U18 Academy teams are coming off one of the busiest weeks of the USSF Academy League season, playing four matches each since last Tuesday, visiting Milwaukee, WI and Sarasota, FL and going a combined 5-1-2 in that time span.

Both Fire Academy teams downed FC Milwaukee last Tuesday, the U16s winning 1-0 while the U18's came away with a 2-1 victory. The Fire youngsters then headed to Sarasota for USSF's Development Academy Showcase this past weekend.

With a 1-0-2 record, the U16s (8-4-2; 26 pts. in Frontier Division) went undefeated during the event. They began the Showcase last Saturday, May 29 with a 2-2 draw to LAFC Chelsea before keeping their next two opponents off the board in a 0-0 draw with the San Diego Surf (Monday, May 31) and a 2-0 win over BW Gottschee New York City on Tuesday.

The U18s (9-2-3; 30 pts. in Frontier Division) fared slightly better, earning six of a possibly nine points while in Sarasota while scoring 10 goals over the course of the three matches. The older Academy side downed LAFC Chelsea 4-2 on May 29 before drubbing the San Diego Surf 5-1 on May 31. The U18s rounded out their three matches at the Showcase with a 2-1 loss to BW Gottschee New York City on Tuesday afternoon.

Going into the last week of the Academy season both teams look good to qualify for the USSF Development Academy playoffs if they take care of business with their three remaining matches. Both teams are back in action Wednesday night in derby matches with the Chicago Magic at Brother Rice High School in Chicago. The U16s kickoff at 6:30pm, with the U18s doing battle at 8:30pm.

FIRE NPSL

The Fire NPSL had mixed fortunes this weekend going 1-1-0 during a two-game trip in Wisconsin.

They began the weekend with a 2-1 loss to the Madison 56ers on Saturday night in the state capital. Trailing 2-0 after 60 minutes, the Fire's Taylor Bond finished a cross in the 70th minute to pull the side back within one.

A flurry of chances to equalize came late with Emilio Munoz's shot from 30 yards out tipped over the bar by the Madison keeper. On the ensuing corner kick, Jose Perez headed a chance at goal but couldn't beat the 56ers backstop.

Upset not to take a point from the match, the Fire ran rampant the next day with an emphatic 8-1 drubbing of Eau Claire Aris, scoring six goals in the first 30 minutes. Taylor Bond and A.J. Konchar contributed two goals each with Jon Brehm and Al Palar recording single tallies.

The second half saw Sam Sprauer and Jose Perez take the lead to 8-0 before surrendering a late goal on a free kick to finish the match at 8-1.

The Fire NPSL (1-1-1; 4 pts. in Midwest Division) are back in action on Saturday, May 12 when they visit the St. Paul Twin Stars at 6:00pm.

Fire Super-20s

Set to host the Super-20 North American Championships for a second straight year in Rockford, IL, the Chicago Fire Super-20 team kicks off the 2010 campaign this Saturday, June 5 when they pay a visit to Kalamazoo, MI to take on TKO Premier at 1:30pm ET.

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