The Chicago Fire Academy welcomed development sides from the Premier League, MLS NEXT and more for some high-level competition at the Endeavor Health Performance Center
After a successful year developing the future of Chicago Fire FC, the Chicago Fire Academy punctuated the 2025-25 season with the first edition of the Endeavor Health Invitational, featuring some of the best teams in the world and in the region over Memorial Day weekend.
What is the Endeavor Health Invitational?
In the fall of 2025, Brentford FC hosted the Chicago Fire Academy’s U-13 and U-14 sides in England, treating them to some high-level competition and even a Premier League match. With so many memories created over an unforgettable week, the Fire returned the favor, hosting Brentford and several other clubs at the Endeavor Health Performance Center in Chicago’s Near West Side.
The Endeavor Health Invitational featured the following eight teams split into two groups in the U-13 and U-14 age categories:
- Chicago Fire FC
- Brentford FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Minnesota United FC
- Nashville SC
- Lexington SC (USL)
- Louisville City FC (USL)
- SC Wave (MLS NEXT)
U-13
The Chicago Fire U-13 side shut out Colorado Rapids and Lexington SC on Saturday before falling to Louisville City U-14 and SC Wave U-14. But the U-13s capped off the weekend with a 2-0 victory over Brentford, finishing with nine points – the best performance by a U-13 side that weekend.
Pos. |
Club |
Matches |
Points |
Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
SC Wave U-14 |
5 |
10 |
+5 |
2. |
Louisville City U-14 |
5 |
9 |
+4 |
3. |
Chicago Fire U-13 |
5 |
9 |
+2 |
4. |
Brentford FC U-13 |
5 |
7 |
-1 |
5. |
Lexington FC U-13 |
5 |
6 |
-2 |
6. |
Colorado Rapids U-13 |
5 |
1 |
-8 |
U-14
The hosts came away with a trophy following five unbeaten matches in their category. But the group was highly competitive from the beginning, with every team claiming at least one victory leading to a three-way tie for fourth place.
Pos. |
Club |
Matches |
Points |
Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Chicago Fire U-14 |
5 |
13 |
+6 |
2. |
Brentford FC U-14 |
5 |
9 |
+2 |
3. |
Minnesota United U-14 |
5 |
7 |
-3 |
4. |
Lexington FC U-14 |
5 |
4 |
-3 |
5. |
Colorado Rapids U-14 |
5 |
4 |
-3 |
6. |
Nashville SC U-14 |
5 |
4 |
-3 |
Outside the Academy
Endeavor Health helped the Fire thank Brentford for their hospitality in the fall, treating them and the rest of the Invitational participants to a first team match against Toronto FC at Soldier Field. Besides the 2-1 victory and a postgame concert featuring Lupe Fiasco, many new friendships were sparked in the stands and memories created – though this time, on home soil.
