Chicago Fire Youth Development Program Update

Mateus to Coach U.S. Under-14 Boys National Team

CFJ–Chicago U14 Boys Advance to Germantown Finals

Two CFJ Alumni complete flawless collegiate season at Wheaton College

 

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (Nov. 27, 2007) – The Chicago Fire first team may be in their off-season, but the Chicago Fire youth programs are still training, playing, and winning.  The U15 Boys are seeing success as they take part in the United Soccer Youth Soccer Association National League, while the U14 Boys, U11 Girls, and U12 Girls advanced to the finals of the their respective age brackets in the Germantown Invitational Tournament.  Having trained for three weeks and played two weekends of matches, the Fire Academy will take to the road this weekend and head to Minnesota to match up against Shattuck St. Mary’s U16 and U18 teams.

 

Chicago Fire Juniors

 

· U15 BOYS SHARE FIRST PLACE IN USYSA NATIONAL LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

The CFJ U15 Boys traveled to Raleigh, N.C. this past weekend to play in their first tournament as part of the USYSA National League.  The U15 team is currently tied for first place with CASL Elite after collecting a record or 2-1-0 on the weekend.  The U15s defeated the Michigan Hawks during the first day of play, riding two goals by Horacio Sanchez.  In the second game, the Chicago club edged Vardar of Michigan 1-0, however fell to FC Delco, 1-0, in the third game of the weekend.

 

· U14 RED BOYS ADVANCE TO FINALS OF GERMANTOWN INVITATIONAL

The Chicago Fire Juniors U14 Boys Red team went to the finals of the Germantown Invitational Tournament in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 3-4.  They won their group with a record of 2-0-1.  They beat CA United of Minn. 1-0, beat River Plate of Texas 3-0, and tied Cobb FC out of Georgia 2-2.  They lost a tough game in the Finals to Cincinnati Soccer Alliance 0-2.  In addition to this final, the U14 red team played in the finals of the NSR Cup, won the NISL Premier league, and is currently ranked 31st in the nation by Soccer In College rankings.

 

· CFJ GIRLS SEE SUCCESS IN GERMANTOWN INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

On Nov. 17-18, CFJ-Chicago sent girls teams from age groups of U11-15 to the Germantown Invitational Tournament.  At the end of the group competition the CFJ girls had played a total of 15 games with only three losses, advancing two teams to the playoffs.  The U11 Girls Black advanced to the semifinals, where they defeated the Atlanta Soccer Academy with a score of 3-2 to secure their place in the final.  The U11 finals went to penalty kicks after a score of 1-1.  The CFJ lost in PK’s 3-2 to come home with an impressive second place finish.  The other team to advance was the CFJ U12 Girls Red.  The U12 girls made the trip bringing three players from CFJ-West Michigan as guest players for the weekend.  The U12 team lost in an exciting final to come home with the second place trophy.

 

· TWO CFJ ALUMNI WIN DIVISION III WOMEN'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Two CFJ Alumni, Bethany Barton and Libby Passiales, were a part of the Wheaton College women’s soccer team that completed a perfect season to clinch their second straight NCAA Division III women’s championship.  Barton is a two-time NCAA Division III Defensive MVP of the Championship Tournament, and was named as a Second Team All-American in 2006.  The former CFJ members have helped Wheaton to a 45-game unbeaten streak, the second longest in Division III history.

 

Chicago Fire Academy

 

· FIRE ACADEMY HEAD COACH LOUIS MATEUS WITH U.S. U-14 BOYS NATIONAL TEAM

Now in his fifth year as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-14 Boys National Team, Chicago Fire Academy head coach Louis Mateus joined the youth national team from Nov. 21 – 26 in Orlando, Fla., for winter training camp. Mateus ran one of two full teams (36 players total) through three exhibition games in preparation for a move into the U-15 level. The winter training camp is one of four U-14 Boys National Team events throughout the year that brings together the top talent from all four regions across the U.S.

 

· ACADEMY COACH TONY KEES NAMED ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

Chicago Fire Academy assistant coach Tony Kees was recently named the Illinois High School Coach of the Year after concluding over 20 years of service at James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Kees was selected for the award by his Illinois High School State Coaches Association (IHSSCA) peers based on his kowledge of the game, rapport with his team, rapport with opponents, rapport with officials, personal conduct and character, and improvement or success of the school's program. The 48-year-old native of Chicago left his post after a 13-7 league season at Conant to become a full-time assistant with the Fire Academy on July 23, 2007.

 

· ACADEMY FORWARD BRAD HORTON VOTED ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chicago Fire Academy signing Brad Horton, a senior forward for Sycamore High School of Sycamore, Ill., was voted as the Illinois High School Player of the Year, selected by the IHSSCA. A member of the under-17 U.S. Men’s National Team pool, Illinois State ODP Team, and Rockford Raptors Soccer Club, Horton found the back of the net 40 times to go along with 12 assists and was named co-MVP of the Western Sun Conference. He has committed to play for Northern Illinois University for the following season.

 

· SEVEN ACADEMY PLAYERS TO ATTEND USYSA ODP REGIONALS IN ORLANDO

Seven Chicago Fire Academy players representing Region 2 converged on Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Boys Thanksgiving Interregional. Teams arrived on Nov. 23 for two days of practice, with competition beginning on Saturday, Nov. 25 through Monday, Nov. 27. The US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional represents teams in the 1992, 1993 and 1994 age groups including the two teams (Blue and Grey) from the U.S. Soccer Under-14 National Team Pool. For more information on the US Youth Soccer ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional, including results, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org or www.ussoccer.com.

 

Academy Players Participating:

1993's – Luis Medina, Victor Pineda

1994's – Felipe Cortez, Emanual Guzman, Brian Lunar, Charles Lyon, Trent Milller

 

For more information about the Chicago Fire Academy, visit http://web.mlsnet.com/t100/youth/academy/.

For more information about the Chicago Fire Premier and the Super-20 side, visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.