MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Player Development Update

Published on June 21, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The draw for the 2011-2012 Development Academy Playoffs in Frisco, Texas was held Monday for both the U-18 and U-16. Both teams were the top seeded team in their group.

The U-18s were drawn into Group 7 and will face Solar Chelsea SC from Dallas, Texas, Albertson SC from Great Neck, N.Y., and Concorde Fire from Atlanta, Ga. They open their group against Concorde Fire on Monday, June 25.

The U-16s were drawn into Group 4 and will face the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy, Seattle Sounders FC Academy and Clearwater Chargers form Clearwater, Fla. They open group play against the Clearwater Chargers on Tuesday, June 26.

The U-18s enter the playoffs as the top ranked team in the country, and the U-16s enter the playoffs ranked fifth. The Fire Academy teams are the highest ranked MLS Academy teams in each age group. With the first and fifth place rankings, the Fire are the top ranked Academy program overall in the nation.

In preparation for the playoffs, the Fire U-18 and U-16 teams are taking part in a mini-camp hosted by the Indiana Invaders Soccer Club in South Bend, Ind. The camp began Monday morning and will run until Thursday evening.

CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY TEAMS CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH 1-0-1 WEEKEND

The Chicago Fire U-18 and U-16 Developmental Academy teams went 1-0-1 in U.S. Soccer Development Academy Great Lakes Division play to close out the regular season. The U-18s defeated the Indiana Fire Academy 3-1 and the U-16s drew 2-2 on Sunday, June 17.

The Fire U-18s kicked off first on the Butler University Turf Field in Indianapolis, Ind. The Fire found the first goal of the match when Andrew Oliver scored in the 42nd minute. In the second half, the Fire's Victor Pineda doubled the lead with his goal in the 67th minute. The Indiana Fire Academy answered immediately, cutting into the lead when Thomas Sanner scored in the 68th minute. The Fire were able to hang on and Joey Calistri scored in the 90th minute to give the Fire U-18s a 3-1 victory.

In the second match of the day, the Fire U-16s and Indiana United Fire Academy played to a 2-2 draw. The Indiana side went ahead in the first half with goals from Travis Wannemuehler in the 10th minute and Jalen Brown in the 24th. The Fire were able to equalize with goals from Marcus Epps in the 36th minute and Christian Henock-Berhanu in the 60th for the 2-2 draw.

The Fire U-18s (18-2-3) maintained their position as the top-ranked club in the nation. Finishing with a 13-0-3 divisional record with 42 points, the Fire finished nine points ahead of second place Vardar SC Freiburg (Michigan) in the Great Lakes Division. With the draw, the Fire U-16s (15-3-5) finished as the top team in the Great Lakes Division with a 11-1-4 divisional record, one point ahead of second place Crew Soccer Academy Wolves. The U-16s finished the regular season ranked fifth in the nation.

CHICAGO FIRE PDL DRAWS CHICAGO INFERNO 1-1 IN HOTLY CONTEST CHICAGO DERBY

The Chicago Fire PDL drew the Chicago Inferno 1-1 in the second leg of the Chicago derby in Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill on Tuesday, June 19.

The Inferno found the first goal of the match when Francis Mathieu scored in the 21st minute. The Fire were persistent however, and found a late 87th minute equalizer from Marco Gutierrez to earn a point.

The Chicago Fire PDL (3-4-2) return to action when they host the Michigan Bucks at Toyota Park on Tuesday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 21, 2012


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