CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Fire PDL team had two impressive wins this past week, positioning themselves in a good spot to advance to the National Playoffs. The Super-20 team had a win and a loss last week, and they benefited from the skills of three Fire Academy players who played for the Super-20 team. The Fire Academy team has concluded its 2009 season, and the Fire Juniors are currently fighting for a victory in the 2009 MLS/SUM U-17 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.
Wednesday, July 8
• Fire PDL vs. Forest City London @ 6:00 PM - Toyota Park Training Field
Thursday, July 9
• Super-20 team vs. Kalamazoo T.K.O. @ 3:00 PM - Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo, MI
Saturday, July 11
• Fire PDL vs. Michigan Bucks @ 6:30 PM - Ultimate Soccer Arena, Pontiac, MI
CHICAGO FIRE PDL
The Fire PDL team posted two wins in their games last week. The team won 5-1 over the Cincinnati Kings, with goals scored by Fred Braun (University of Louisville), Richard Edgar (George Mason University), Chris Cutshua (Bradley University), Rich Balchan (Indiana University), and Mark Blades (Northwestern University). The PDL team also beat the Michigan Bucks 3-0, winning their first game against the Bucks in three years. Goals were scored by Andy Adlard (Indiana University), Andre Akpan (Harvard University), and Chris Cutshau (Bradley University). "We won two big games for a move into second place - a win in our next game against Forest City London would put us in a position for a playoff run," says Fire PDL midfielder Fred Braun. "We have a championship mentality and are continuing to win important games." The Fire PDL will take on the Forest City London and the Michigan Bucks this week at home and in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
SUPER-20 TEAM
The Super-20 team had two games last week that consisted of one win and one loss. The team posted an impressive victory of 7-1 over the Windsor Spartans. Ryan Gracia (George Mason University) led the way with two goals. The game was a debut for three Fire U-18 Academy players, Ian Christianson, Brian Ciesiulka, and Marco Gutierrez. Christianson also had a goal and Gutierrez had a goal and two assists in the game. "The Academy players represented themselves very well and performed up to our expectations. We look forward to the integration of these three and other Academy players into our team moving forward," says Larry Sunderland, Director of Fire Player Development. The Super-20 team also fell to the Cincinnati United Premier 1-3, ending a 19 game winning streak which has spanned two years. The Cincinnati United Premier avenged a prior Fire when they played the team two weeks ago.
CHICAGO FIRE JUNIORS
The Fire Juniors are in the midst of the 2009 MLS/SUM U-17 Cup, which is being played at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce Park, Ohio. The Cup runs though tomorrow and the Juniors are hoping to win this annual tournament, which will advance them to the 2010 U-18's World Cup in Spain.
For more information about Chicago Fire Player Development, visit the team's official website at www.chicago-fire.com.
