The Fire’s U13 and U14 teams faced two of the best academy teams in all of Europe in a once-in-a-lifetime trip
The Chicago Fire Academy kicked off its 2025-26 season with action against rival MLS academy sides and local clubs. But for the highly touted U13 and U14 sides, the season began with a trip across the pond to the United Kingdom, where they caught up with academy sides from Premier League clubs Brentford FC and Chelsea FC.
Graciously hosted by Brentford FC, the Academy saw plenty of goals on the field. Off the field, the players made new friends and new memories, with plenty of lessons to bring back stateside with a new season on the horizon.
U13
The younger Academy side traveled to the venerable Cobham Training Grounds in Surrey to face Chelsea FC. Skylar Bradshaw and Joey Berardi continued their hot form from preseason, combining for three goals in a 7-3 loss to the Blues. Daniel Usikalu provided an assist on Bradshaw’s lone goal. The match served as a great test against one of the most promising youth sides in all of world football.
A few days later, the same side competed in a high-scoring affair against Brentford FC, winning 9-4. Bradshaw and Berardi remained hot, recording a hat trick and a brace against a talented Brentford side. Gvidas Masiulionis, Oleks Smetana and Usikalu also added goals of their own against the Bees.
“The level of competition was exactly the test the boys needed,” said U13 Head Coach Tanner Chassman. “They had to find solutions and compete under high levels of stress.”
U14
Henry Vogelzang tallied the Fire’s lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in Cobham. Joshua Johnson recorded an assist in a tight affair that the hosts won late.
The U14s flipped the script against Brentford FC, winning 5-2 in the follow-up match. Julian Rios had a day to remember, tallying twice and assisting another two times on Ryan Korwel’s brace. Matthew Preddie had the other goal for the Fire, assisted by Leandre Beckford. Midfielder Robert Vlad showed off great qualities in both matches, but especially in Brentford, recording an assist in Rios’ second goal.
“Overall, the boys gained so much learning and growth from this,” said U14 Assistant Coach Brendon Boucaud. “More importantly, it forced us to be more consistent in our actions and responsibility in each phase of the game. It was an excellent learning tool!”
Outside the Academy
Between matches, the teams got to take in the best of London. From sightseeing across world-famous landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, to visits to hallowed grounds like Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium, the players, staffs and families had a fantastic week. Brentford FC gave the Academy a great sendoff with tickets to a Premier League match, helping make new Bees supporters out of many of the players on the trip. See some of the best memories from the trip in the album below!
What's NEXT: The Academy U13 and U14 sides returned stateside for action against domestic clubs, kicking off the 2025/25 season.
