Fire Discovery Centers are a talent identification platform for U-10 through U-12 players to be identified and evaluated for future opportunities with the Chicago Fire Academy. The Fire Discovery Centers will build upon the Club’s existing scouting network, providing new pathways for players to have the chance to be identified for the Chicago Fire Academy.
The first season of Discovery Centers (2023) were held in various communities across the greater Chicagoland area and within the City of Chicago, including North Austin, Tinley Park, Bridgeview, Naperville, Northbrook, Waukegan and Elgin, and operated twice a week at different locations. Over the course of an 8-week program, over 700 players from 126 unique clubs took part in a variety of on-field activities led by Chicago Fire coaches, where they were actively evaluated for future opportunities with the Chicago Fire Academy, starting with the U-13 team.
“The Discovery Centers served the purpose of providing supplemental training to young players throughout Chicagoland while at the same time supporting the scouting efforts of our Academy. The enthusiasm for soccer in Chicago at the younger ages is inspiring and we hope the Discovery Centers helped fuel this passion.”
Following on from the 8-week program, in December 2023, a select group of U12 players (80) were invited back to take part in further training opportunities based out of SeatGeek stadium, the home of the Fire’s training center, Fire II and Academy programs. From this group of players, a select (45) have been identified and invited back to continue their development with once weekly training sessions offered as supplement to other programming or club team commitments.
The Fire will be hosting a variety of Discovery Center events throughout the 2024 year as well as new Discovery Centers starting in the fall. Registration and further details will be posted in due course.
In the meantime, feel free to watch the below video clip to learn more about what the Chicago Fire Discovery Centers are all about.
