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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Youth Development Program Update

February 21, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, IL (Wednesday, February 21, 2007) - As snow covers the Windy City, the Chicago Fire Soccer Youth Development Program is heating up its winter training. The Chicago Fire Juniors (CFJ) flagship program in the west suburbs recently took its game indoors to benefit a local charity, while the club's senior coordinator attended the first ever Gatorade Coaches Summit. CFJ-Michigan has been accepted to the prestigious Dallas Cup XXVIII and a few of its best players have been selected to both national Super Y-League and regional ODP teams. CFJ-Elm Grove continues to train out in the winter elements in Wisconsin, while two Elm Grove U13 teams continue to dominate indoor league play.

Chicago Fire Juniors

- U13 Girls Red Play in Valentine Shootout to Benefit Kids Caring 4 Kids

The CFJ U13 Girls Red team supported local charity "Kids Caring 4 Kids" - and its eighth grade founder and Wheaton native Kendal Ciesemier - by participating in the "Valentine Shootout," an indoor soccer tournament held at the Darien Sportsplex. Prior to the Valentine Shootout, the U13s went door-to-door to raise money in benefit of the local charity, with the Fire Juniors donating all proceeds earned directly to the Kids Caring 4 Kids Foundation. If you are interested in supporting the CFJ U13 Girls and wish to make a donation in support of "Kids Caring 4 Kids", please contact Jim Nelson at 630-915-6491.

- Fire Juniors Senior Coordinator Attends Gatorade Coaches Summit

CFJ Senior Coordinator Scott Meineke attended the first ever Gatorade Coaches Summit, held Jan. 25-27 in Chicago. The summit brought together members from the 29 Gatorade Elite Soccer Clubs from across the U.S. The three-day event explored Gatorade product, proper hydration, and diet, and concluded with a tour of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, which was created to maximize athletic performance.

Chicago Fire Juniors - Michigan

- U15 Boys to Participate in Dallas Cup XXVIII

The CFJ-Michigan U15 Boys have been granted entry into the prestigious Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup XXVIII, which will be held April 1-8 at Pizza Hut Park and 17 surrounding fields in Frisco, Texas. Out of the hundreds of applicant clubs that vie to take part in the tournament, the U15s were one of the fortunate clubs selected to take the field at the home of Major League Soccer side FC Dallas. This year's event will once again see teams from all over the world heading to the Dallas area, including squads from the youth systems of Chelsea FC and Real Madrid. The CFJ-Michigan squad, which will have the option of taking on players from other Chicago Fire Juniors affiliates for the tournament, will be making its third appearance in the Dallas Cup. For more information on the 28th edition of the Dallas Cup, please visit www.dallascup.com.

- Two Make Super Y-League National Camp, One Selected to Select Team

Congratulations to CFJ-Michigan players Connor McMahon (1992 Boys) and Adam Mena (1988/1989 Boys) for being selected to the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Super Y-League National Camp, which was held Jan. 18-21 at the Cocoa Expo Center in Cocoa, Florida. In addition, Mena was selected to the Super Y-League Select 1988/1989 Team. Players selected to the Super Y-League Select Team will be recommended by the Olympic Development Program scouting system to the U.S. National Team Coaching Staff. USL will also be exploring opportunities to provide these players with domestic or international exposure to enhance player development.

- U15 Girls' Lauren Gagnon Joins ODP Region 2 Team in Costa Rica

Lauren Gagnon of the CFJ-Michigan U15 Girls has recently been invited to represent the ODP Region 2 (1991/92) team on its upcoming trip to Costa Rica. During the April trip, the team will take part in exhibition matches against teams from Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica.

Chicago Fire Juniors - Elm Grove

- CFJ-Elm Grove Continues Winter Training at Pilgrim Park Middle School

Ask any Wisconsin resident and they'll tell you they don't mind the cold. That goes for the youngsters as well, as CFJ-Elm Grove is again conducting its outdoor winter training for all academy and select players (U11-U18) throughout the months of January, February, and March. Players meet ever Saturday for two hours at Pilgrim Park Middle School and work on conditioning and small-sided games, both on pavement and snow-covered grass. The training sessions have become a vital part of the club's spring league preparation.

- Two U13 Boys Teams Remain Undefeated in Indoor League Play

The CFJ-Elm Grove U13 Boys Academy team has a perfect 6-0-0 record in the U13 Purple division at Brookfield Indoor Soccer Complex's indoor soccer league. The squad, which has outscored the opposition by an impressive 81-19 margin, defeated FC Milwaukee Blue twice (8-3 and 15-3), Bavarian Academy (12-2), Elm Grove Academy U12 Boys (11-0), Dousman SC (13-6) and Brookfield Red (16-5). Not to be outdone, the Elm Grove U13 Boys Select also has a sterling 5-0-0 record in its indoor league, outscoring its opponents 47-9 in the process. The U13 Boys Select have taken victories against Brookfield 93, FC Milwaukee White, Kettle Morraine, Sport Club and BSA White.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from February 21, 2007


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