MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Youth Development Program Update

Published on April 12, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, IL (April 11, 2007) - As Major League Soccer gets underway, so does the spring season of Chicago Fire Youth Development Soccer. The Chicago Fire Juniors - Mississippi recently hosted the annual Spring Classic in Jackson, Miss. The tournament was held in conjunction with a Chicago Fire exhibition game against Chivas USA at M&F Bank Stadium on March 31 and was attended by over 150 teams. The CFJ - Chicago and Michigan clubs started their out door season in style by attending the Metro United College Showcase in Collinsville, Ill.

Chicago Fire Juniors - Chicago

- U15 Red, U17 Red, and U18 Red Boys, participate in the Metro College Showcase

The Chicago Fire Juniors Boys' teams traveled to Collinsville, Ill. to participate in the Metro College Showcase on March 24 and 25th. The Showcase is one of the best in the country with over 130 college coaches attending. All three teams had very strong showings and attracted a great deal of interest from the college coaches.

- Six CFJ Girls teams place in final indoor tournament of the winter indoor season

The Chicago Fire Juniors sent six girls' teams to play in the January - March indoor league at Just for Kicks in Plainfield, Ill. CFJ Girls U9 red/white, U12 red, and U14 red took first place in their divisions while the Girls U10 red and U11 red placed second. The Girls U10 white finished third in their division.

Chicago Fire Juniors - West Michigan

- Combined efforts help CFJ U15 Boys to top of their bracket

A combined team, made up of players from several Fire Juniors teams came together for the Metro United College Showcase. The team lost thanks to a last minute goal in their opening game, but that would be the last of their losses for the weekend. The CFJ U15 ended the weekend at the top of their bracket.

Chicago Fire Juniors - Elm Grove

- U14 CFJ - Elm Grove Boys win the Blues City Blowout while the U15 Boys settle for second place

The CFJ - Elm Grove U14 and U15 Boys teams traveled to Memphis, Tenn. March 17 and 18 to take part in the Blues City Blowout. The U14 Boys team won the tournament with a record of 3-1-0 against opponents from Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana. The U15 Boys took second place on the weekend battling against opponents from Florida, Kentucky, and Mississippi.

Chicago Fire Juniors - Mississippi

- The CFJ - Mississippi Spring Classic Tournament is a success, despite poor weather

The Chicago Fire Juniors of Mississippi Spring Classic was an outstanding success with the exception of torrential downpours on Sunday, April 1. Over 150 teams from Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi participated in the event that was held in conjunction with a Chicago Fire exhibition game against Chivas USA. The CFJ - Mississippi had a great showing with a total of nine teams playing in their respective age groups' finals. Congratulation to the U13 CFJ - Mississippi Girls Black who defeated Baton Rouge to win the Spring Classic Tournament for the second year in a row.

- Four more players sign National Letters of Intent

Congratulations to the four CFJ - Mississippi players who recently signed National Letters of Intent. Ashley Davis (Troy State University), Cari Little (Northwest Mississippi Community College), Stephen Houston (Delta State University), and Michael Bush (Hinds Community College) have each committed to take their game to the next level.

Notes

- Chicago Fire Juniors Expands with Merger of Naperville Lightning

Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the Chicago Fire Juniors youth club has merged with the Naperville Lightning youth soccer club to form a unique club that will benefit from the strengths of both organizations by placing them under the same youth development umbrella. The goal of the merger is to contribute to the evolution of youth soccer, working directly with the Naperville Lightning and Chicago Fire youth systems to create a Youth Development Program of the highest caliber possible. This new environment will enable every player within the Naperville Lightning system to follow a professional soccer club model. While Naperville Lightning has been dedicated to "Winning through Development", the Chicago Fire Juniors has similarly been committed to a belief in the "Pyramid of Player Development". The newest Chicago Fire Juniors club will make its debut during tryout sessions in early June for the 2007-2008 soccer season.

- Chicago Fire PDL and Super-20 Tryouts

The Chicago Fire will be holding PDL and Super-20 tryouts on April 21 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT at Moraine Valley County Community College. Players interested in participating in the tryout should register online at www.chicagofirepremier.com. Players that are interested, but cannot make the April 21 tryout date should contact new Chicago Fire Premier head coach Larry Sunderland at lsunderland@aol.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 12, 2007


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