The Chicago Fire Academy is days away from its first-ever U.S. Soccer Development Academy-sanctioned competition on Sunday, Feb. 17 and Monday, Feb. 18 in the Winter Showcase at Pizza Hurt Park in Frisco, Texas. The Fire Academy U-16 and U-18 squads will face Pennsylvania club PA Classics on Sunday, and New Hampshire-based Seacoast United on Monday.
"I know all of the players are excited about playing our first real game," said Fire Academy Director Louis Mateus. "We have been working very hard for the last two months and the players are tired of going against each other in small groups. Our staff has also worked hard in preparing the teams and we feel we are ready for the Winter Showcase."
More than 40 elite teams across the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups will play more than 86 games over the course of the weekend. Every team will play two games against non-conference opponents to complement their intraconference schedule. The Chicago Fire will join four other Major League Soccer youth clubs in the Winter Showcase, including the Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United and New York Red Bulls.
"It's great to see the hard work and efforts of so many people over the past two years finally come to fruition this weekend," said Fire Director of Soccer and Team Development Roland Hahn.
The Academy Winter Showcase is one of four Showcases throughout the 2007-08 season. The Spring Showcase will be held from May 24-27 and the Summer Showcase will take place June 27-30 at sites yet to be determined. The showcase matches are part of a nine-month season in which 122 teams will compete in more than 1,800 matches in conference play. With 2,440 players, 244 coaches and more than 200 referees participating in individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends, the Academy boasts the most comprehensive platform for youth competition in U.S. Soccer history.
Media looking for more information about the U.S. Soccer Development Academy should contact Kate McMaster at 312-528-1239 or kmcmaster@ussoccer.org.
CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY AGENDA
Thursday, Feb. 14 Training at DeKalb Sports & Rec. Center Field House, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 15 Depart for Winter Academy Showcase at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
Saturday, Feb. 16 OFF
Sunday, Feb. 17 Academy U-16 vs. PA Classics, 9:00 a.m., Academy U-18 vs. PA Classics, 11:45 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 18 Academy U-18 vs. Seacoast United, 8:00 a.m., Academy U-16 vs. Seacoast United, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 Return to Chicago
