Chicago Fire Soccer's unparalleled youth development program continues to succeed both on and off the field all across the country as the fall progresses. The Chicago Fire Juniors Fourth Annual Halloween Coat Drive for charity in Wheaton, the West Michigan Fire Juniors upcoming clinic featuring U.S. Women's National Team forward Lindsay Tarpley, CFJ-Elm Grove's (Wisconsin) success in the Dhaliwal Mequon Fall Cup and the more than 20 current players or alumni of the Chicago Fire Juniors and Chicago Fire Premier programs participating in the NCAA Men's College Cup are just some of the success stories in recent weeks for the most progressive youth development program in Major League Soccer.
Chicago Fire Premier
· 14 Fire Premier Alums participating in upcoming NCAA Men's College Cup
The Chicago Fire Premier of the USL Premier Development League is proud to announce that 14 current players in the program will take to the field in the NCAA Division I Men's College Cup Soccer Championship, which begins this weekend with 16 first round matches. The following student-athletes are participating in postseason play, representing eight different institutions: Jovan Bubonja (UIC), Cesar Zambrano (UIC), Matt Wieclaw (WIU), Jack Smithson (New Mexico), Eric Lichaj (North Carolina), John DiRaimondo (St. Louis), Brad North (Northwestern), Drew Ratner (Northwestern), David Roth (Northwestern), Chay Cain (Indiana), John Michael Hayden (Indiana), Kevin Noschang (Indiana), Brad Ring (Indiana), Chris Schuler (Creighton)
Chicago Fire Juniors
· Over 400 coats collected through Fire Juniors Fourth Annual Halloween Coat Drive
The Chicago Fire Juniors held their Fourth Annual Halloween Coat Drive and Practice at Seven Gables Park on Oct. 30 in west suburban Wheaton, and the event was the most successful since its start in 2003. Per tradition, the CFJ's U8-U12 teams dressed up in costumes - with prizes awarded to the most creative players - but the day was more than tricks and treats, as the festival doubled as a drive for coats and, for the first time, used eyewear. The event concluded with 410 coats collected for the less fortunate, which were donated to the Repeat Boutique Center in Wheaton, while over 50 pairs of used eyewear were handed over to the Lions Club as part of the organization's worldwide drive effort. The Chicago Fire Soccer family applauds all the CFJ players, parents and friends for their time and effort in helping make this year's event the most successful yet.
· Seven CFJ Players Currently on NCAA Tournament Teams
It's tournament time, and seven Chicago Fire Juniors will grace the rosters of three schools in this year's NCAA Division I Men's College Cup. Both U23 Juniors players Matt Galanes and Chris VanDuerm and will suit up for Northern Illinois University when it takes on U19 and U23 player Keum Sung Kim and Loyola University-Chicago today at 1:00 p.m. CT in Dekalb, IL. The Juniors will also be well-represented when the University of Illinois-Chicago takes its home field against the Leathernecks of Western Illinois University this evening at 7:00 p.m. CT at Flames Field in Chicago. UIC's Adnan Ejupovic and Cedomir Micic are both products of the Fire Juniors U19 and U23 programs, while the Flames' Tonci Scroci and Pavle Dundjier spent time with the U23 side.
· Chicago Fire Juniors and CFJ - West Michigan team up to take title at Metro United Fall Classic
The Chicago Fire Juniors and West Michigan Fire Juniors once again converged, and this time their efforts helped the CFJ take first place in the U11 Gold Division at the Metro United Girls Fall Classic in Edwardsville, IL from Nov. 4-5. The U11 Girls went undefeated throughout the tournament, scoring five goals while shutting out all opposition. This is the second time the CFJ U11 Girls and WMFJ U11 Girls teams have come together to participate in a tournament, with the first resulting in a second place finish in the Celtic Cup (Palatine, IL) in September.
· Four Fire Juniors U18 Girls earn collegiate scholarships
In four short years the Chicago Fire Juniors has seen several of its players move on to play collegiate soccer across the country, and this year is no different as four graduates of the U18 Red team - coached by Daryl Shore - have received athletic scholarships to continue their playing careers at the next level. The Fire would like to congratulate the following players and wish them the best of luck in their on and off field endeavors beginning next fall: Kylee Merino (Grand Valley State), Kyle Kocarek (University of Miami), Colleen Antas (Northwestern University) and Kalyn Jones (Northern Iowa).
Chicago Fire Juniors - West Michigan
· US WNT forward Lindsay Tarpley to hold exclusive two-day camp in December
The Chicago Fire Juniors-West Michigan have announced that U.S. Women's National Team forward and Michigan-native Lindsay Tarpley will be hosting a two-day, girls-only camp for the club in December. Lindsay will be coming to Holland, MI on Dec. 16 and 17 to host a fun, instructional and motivating camp, highlighting some of the skills and favorite routines Lindsay uses in her training with the US WNT. Lindsay will also showcase some of her favorite moves and practical application of them during game situations. The camp is limited to 20 participants per age group. Lindsay will be assisted at the clinic by her fiancé, B.J. Snow, who is presently an assistant with the UCLA Women's program and was himself a two-time NCAA champion at Indiana University.
· WM CFJ U15 Girls standout Anne Steinlage to represent Region 2 in national tournament
West Michigan U15 Girls Premier player Anne Steinlage (coached by Ian McMahon) has been selected to represent the Midwest Regional Team - Region 2 - at the upcoming Thanksgiving Interregional in Coral Gables, FL from Nov. 20-25. Also taking part in this prestigious event are three other Regional teams and the U15 and U16 U.S. Women's National Teams.
· West Michigan makes the move to new offices, adds new Team Administrator
The Chicago Fire Juniors - West Michigan program is pleased to announce that it has moved into its new offices in Holland, MI. In addition, the club has hired on a new Team Administrator, Linda Cooper. The new address and contact information for the club as it moves forward with its progress is:
West Michigan Fire Juniors
216 N. 120th Avenue
Holland, MI 49424
Phone: 616-393-0888
Fax: 616-393-0889
Chicago Fire Juniors - Elm Grove
· Elm Grove sides successful in Dhaliwal Mequon Fall Cup
Chicago Fire Juniors-Elm Grove teams fared well at the Dhaliwal Mequon Fall Cup, held Oct. 21 and 22 in Mequon, WI, with six of its clubs reaching the finals. The Elm Grove U13 Boys, U14 Girls and U15 Girls were each champions of their respective age groups, while the U12 Boys, U14 Boys and U16 Girls finished as runners-up in the tournament.
· U14 Boys finish Premier League season undefeated
The CFJ-Elm Grove U14 Boys recently completed an undefeated season in the well-regarded Premier League by defeating the Madison 56'ers 2-1 on Nov. 5. Elm Grove outscored their opponents by an impressive 26-2 margin in compiling a 7-0-1 record overall in Premier League play.
· Eight Elm Grove players lead Brookfield East HS to Wisconsin State Championship match
The following CFJ-Elm Grove players were members of this year's top-ranked Brookfield East H.S. team: Phil Carson, Jon Glapa, Jon Hegwood, Connor LaMalfa, Evan Larsen, Scott Raymonds, Eric Reigle and Joe Watson. Brookfield East suffered their first loss of the 2006 season in the State Championship game to finish the year at 21-1-2. Prior to the loss, Brookfield East was ranked #1 in Wisconsin and #6 in the nation.
Chicago Fire Juniors - Mississippi
· Several CFJ-Mississippi Teams Compete in Crossroads of the South Tournament
Several Chicago Fire Juniors-Mississippi teams competed recently in the Crossroads of the South Tournament, sponsored by the Jackson Futbol Club of Jackson, MS. The following squads were tournament champions: '92/U15 Boys White, coached by Casey Chiasson; '95/U12 Girls, coached by David Johnson; and the '93/U-14 Girls, coached by Trey Woodham. In addition, the '96 Girls White, coached by Derick Washer, finished second along with the '89 Girls, coached by Kenny White. Several others teams made it to the semis including the '94/U13 Boys Black, coached by David Johnson, and the '92/U15 Girls, coached by Cecil Hinds.
· CFJ - Mississippi hosts Third Annual TopSoccer Jamboree
Fire Juniors-Mississippi, in conjunction with Ridgeland Park and Rec. and the South Madison Soccer Organization, held their third annual TopSoccer Jamboree on Oct. 25 at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland, MS - site of the Chicago Fire first team's annual preseason exhibition contest. Over 150 students from the elementary to high school ranks from Rankin and Madison County Schools made this the largest jamboree to date. Fifty volunteers from these organizations led the children in various soccer games. After enjoying lunch, each child received a medal and a ball. Special thanks go out to the Mississippi Soccer Association for providing the awards.
