CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Fire Player Development teams had another successful past week in their respective leagues. The Fire PDL team currently boasts an overall record of 5-1-2, including their 3-1 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup victory over the Milwaukee Bavarians on June 9 to move on to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, and the Super-20 team remains unbeaten this season. With many matches coming up for the Fire Academy team, they are looking to add to their 16 wins so far this season to help carry them into the national playoffs. The Fire Juniors had an exciting weekend, boasting three state championship teams and one runner-up team in the Illinois State Cup.
CHICAGO FIRE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 or 6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Thursday, June 11
• Fire Academy vs. FC Milwaukee @ 6:30 PM (U-16) and 8:30 PM (U-18) - TBD
Saturday, June 13
• Fire PDL @ London Ontario - 6:30 PM
Sunday, June 14
• Fire PDL @ Toronto - 6:00 PM
• Fire Academy @ Real Colorado 11:00 AM (U-16) and 1:00 PM (U-18)
Tuesday, June 16
• Fire PDL @ Minnesota Thunder (USOC 2nd Round Match) - 7:05 PM
• Fire Academy @ Colorado Rush - TBA
FIRE PDL ADVANCES IN OPEN CUP
The Fire PDL posted an impressive 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Bavarians on June 9 at the Toyota Park Training Field. Goals were scored by Fred Braun (University of Louisville), Andre Akpan (Harvard University) and Pascal Millien (University of Tampa). Ryan Schwarz (Valparaiso University) had 6 saves in just 31 minutes of action. The Fire PDL has an important trip to Canada for two important league matches this weekend before traveling to play the Minnesota Thunder of the USL-1 league in a 2nd round USOC match on Tuesday, June 16th in Blaine, Minnesota.
SUPER-20 TEAM SECURES WIN OVER KALAMAZOO
The Super 20 team had an important win of 3-0 against Kalamazoo on June 3 at the Toyota Park Training Field. Goals were scored by Ethan Finlay (Creighton University), Ryan Gracia (George Mason University), and AJ Konchar (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay). Goalkeeper David Meves (Akron) had his second straight shutout this season. The Super 20's record remains unbeaten at 2-0-0.
FIRE ACADEMY RANKED HIGH DESPITE DRAWS THIS WEEKEND
During the home and home derby against the Chicago Sockers this past weekend, the Fire Academy teams had several tied matches. The U-18 team had two draws (0-0 and 1-1), and goalkeeper Brett Petricek played outstanding in goal in both matches. The team's record currently stands at 12-4-9. The U-16 team also had a 0-0 tie against the Chicago Sockers and lost their second match 4-1. Despite the many draws this weekend, the team is ranked 6th in the country out of 72 Academy teams. The U-16 team posts a record of 16-4-5. The teams look forward to their home games against FC Milwaukee this week before traveling to Colorado to play three teams in Denver starting June 14.
FIRE JUNIORS: STATE CHAMPIONS ON THREE LEVELS
The Fire Juniors had their most successful state championship run in the five year history of the program this past weekend at the Illinois State Cup tournament. The U-15 team (coached by Paul Cadwell), the U-16 team (coached by Matt Kirkpatrick), and the U-19 team (coached by Larry Sunderland) all captured state championships. The U-17 team (coached by Trey Bradberry) finished as state runner-up. All four teams qualified for the Region II (12 State Midwest Region) Championships to be held June 20-24 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The U-15, 16, and 19 teams qualified by virtue of their state championship wins, and the U-17 team qualified as a wild card due to high standing in the Midwest Regional League (MRL). If the teams win their regional matches, they will move on to compete in the U.S. Youth National Championships to be held July 21-26 in Lancaster, Massachusetts. Best of luck to all the Fire Junior teams in the upcoming weeks!
For more information about Chicago Fire Player Development, visit the team's official website at www.chicago-fire.com.
