MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Juniors Launch CFJ-South

Published on April 1, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (April 1, 2010) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club today announced the addition of the Chicago Fire Juniors-South program to the club's player development arm. In addition, the club named First Team assistant coach and south Chicagoland native Mike Matkovich as the program's Director of Soccer. The CFJ South becomes the sixth Fire Juniors program outside of the hub in Naperville, IL.

Originally from Chicago, Matkovich enters his fourth year as an assistant coach in Major League Soccer and currently serves as the head coach of the U.S. U-18 Men's National Team. His local experience includes working as the Fire PDL's head coach from 2002-05 as well as spending twenty years at the helm of the famed Chicago Magic youth club, with whom he won the NSCAA's National Coach of the Year award in 2000.

"I'm excited to be back coaching youth soccer in the south Chicagoland area," said Matkovich. "I look forward to using the experience I've gathered from my time spent at the professional and international levels to help further develop players in the area and ultimately for the club."

"Bringing Mike in to head the CFJ-South program is a no-brainer," said Chicago Fire Director of Player Development John Dorn. "I was always proud to see his accomplishments with the Chicago Magic and to have someone who's familiar with our player development system, serving not only as an assistant coach but as a director of one of CFJ programs is invaluable. Mike will serve to connect all levels of our integrated player development pyramid."

The first step for the new program begins Sunday, May 2, when the CFJ-South begins a month-long tryout period at Moraine Valley Community College starting at 3pm. The tryouts will be open to players from the U8 level all the way to U15 and above. For more information and tryout registration, please call (708) 496-6837, email or visit www.chicagofirejuniorssouth.com.

Sunday, May 2

U8,U9 & U10 from 3.00pm to 4.00pm

U11,U12,U13 & U14 from 4.00pm to 5.00pm

U15 and above 5.00pm to 6.00pm

Try-outs to be held at:

Moraine Valley College

9000 W. College Parkway

Palos Heights, IL 60455

Sunday, May 9

Sunday, May 16

Sunday, June 6

Friday, June 4

U8,U9 & U10 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm

U11,U12,U13 & U14 from 6.00pm to 7.00pm

U15 and above 7.00pm to 8.00pm

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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