On a busy, sunny spring weekend, the U.S. under-17 national team came to play four games while touring throughout Chicago. Sunday they stopped at Toyota Park to face the Chicago Fire Academy.
Parents and fans peppered the east side of the stands for an afternoon of soccer. Dressed in U.S. and Fire jerseys, the future players of Major League Soccer and the USA took the field.
"It's so special to put on an event like this for the kids," said Chicago Fire Roland Hahn, director of player development. "Our goal is to identify talent and have them playing alongside the Cuauhtemoc Blancos and C.J. Browns of the world. We want them to understand what it feels like to wear the uniform and play in the stadium. Today they did that."
The youth soccer movement in the United States is apparent to anyone paying any attention. More kids play soccer than baseball now. U.S. under-17 national team head coach Wilmer Cabrera said he has seen the difference.
"We've all been growing and learning," Cabrera said. "We have better players who have the passion. They understand the game younger than ever before. To see kids ages five, six and seven understanding the movements of the game and the passion for the game is incredible."
Sunday's crowd was full of fans, but there were scouts and college coaches hidden amongst them searching for the next "it" player. It was a chance for the youth to showcase their talent on their local stage.
"This is the future," Chicago Fire defender C.J. Brown said. "These kids are in a position that we would rarely get. They're playing in a real stadium, wearing the uniforms. It's a great opportunity."
The national team split squad picked up a 1-1 draw vs. the Chicago Fire Academy under-16s and a 5-0 win against the Fire under-18s.
"I'm not happy with the 5-0 result, but I felt it was a good day," said Fire Academy director and head coach Louis Maeus said. "It's a great experience for our kids to play the top young stars in the country.
"The U-16s had a decent result with the 1-1 draw. People who saw the score would think with a 5-0 result that we got killed, but that wasn't the case. It was a close match. They didn't have that many chances. But when they created opportunities, they put them away."
Cabrera said he was happy with the day's events.
"It's a great work that they have been doing here in Chicago," Cabrera said. "Today we had a good environment. They played with good intensity. We're happy to play in these types of situations. Our goal is to prepare the whole group. It's a little too much when you have to play four games in two days, but it's part of our process."
Sunday's event was a free event open to the public. Fans gathered in the parking lot and tailgated, kicked around balls, played music and enjoyed themselves. In the stands, the crowd cheered. And on the field, the players performed. They played on the same field where some of their heroes play, the future of Major League Soccer.
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
