Chicago Fire Academy Player Called Into U17 Men's National Team Residency Program

Published on September 4, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release

BRIDGEVIEW, IL (Sept. 4, 2008) - Chicago Fire Academy midfielder Victor Pineda has been called into the U17 Men's National Team Residency Program at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for the fall 2008 semester. Pineda is one of six players joining the team from Major League Soccer associated clubs.

The U.S. players live on campus at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and train in the morning under the guidance of head coach Wilmer Cabrera and assistant coaches Paul Caffrey, Paul Grafer and Keith Fulk, and attend classes at Bradenton Preparatory Academy in the afternoon.

"We are very proud to have a member of the Chicago Fire Academy selected to join the U17 U.S. Residency Program," said Roland Hahn, Director of Player Development. "Victor is a very talented player and the Chicago Fire Academy looks forward to developing more players like him."

Pineda will be among those players competing for a place on the U.S. team that will attempt to qualify for its 14th consecutive FIFA Under-17 World Cup in April or May, when the qualifying tournament will be held in Mexico.

Since its inception in 1999, nearly 200 players have been through the full-time Residency Program, including current Fire midfielder Justin Mapp and former Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.

Major League Soccer Stories from September 4, 2008

• Rapids Pick Up Three Vital Points on Road With 1-0 Victory at Dallas - Colorado Rapids
• Red Bull New York launches RedBullArena.us - New York Red Bulls
• Guillermo Barros Schelotto Voted MLS Player of the Month for August - MLS
• Chicago Fire Academy Player Called Into U17 Men's National Team Residency Program - Chicago Fire FC
• D.C. United's CONCACAF Champions League Opponents Set - D.C. United
• Earthquakes Sign Michael Ghebru and Davide Somma - San Jose Earthquakes
• D.C. United's Jaime Moreno called up to Bolivian National Team - D.C. United

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Chicago Fire FC Stories

• Chicago Fire FC Gifts One-Month of MLS Season Pass to All Chicagoans for Long-Awaited Playoff Push
• Chicago Fire FC Weekly Update: Training Schedule and Match Preview
• Three Chicago Fire FC Homegrown Players Signed to New Contract
• Chicago Fire FC Falls to New York City FC at Soldier Field
• Chicago Fire FC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Gente Fina Collaboration and a Hispanic Heritage Night Match, Presented by Meridian