CHICAGO (May 3, 2023) - The Chicago Fire Academy returned to MLS NEXT Play as all respective academies hit the road for MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT Flex fixtures. With all four teams on the road, the Fire came home with a 6-1-0 record between all four academies.
U-13 Academy
The youngest members of the Chicago Fire Academy only had one match this past weekend against Javanon FC at Elizabethtown High School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The match resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Fire. Edgar Miguel Campos and Christopher Morales, both found themselves on the scoresheet for the Fire with the two tallies in the victory. With the win, the U-13 Academy now sits in fourth place in the Mid-American Division with a record of (10-5-7, 37 points).
The U-13 Academy will resume MLS NEXT play at home when they welcome FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 6 at the SeatGeek Stadium turf pitches. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. CT.
U-14 Academy
The U-14's played a doubleheader this weekend with their first fixture against Javanon FC at Elizabethtown High School. The Fire came out victorious in their opening match with a final score of 4-1. Kristopher Cervantes scored the first goal for the Fire, assisted by Darris Hyte. Robert Turdean would tally the second goal just minutes later. Christian Flores scored Chicago’s third goal with an assist from Jesus Ronaldo Garcia. And the final goal came from Darris Hyte assisted by Christian Flores.
The following day, the Fire took on Midwest United FC at the Midwest United Field Complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The U-14's would pick up back-to-back wins on the weekend with a 3-1 win over the Michigan side. Jesus Ronaldo Garcia opened the scoring for the Fire, followed by a goal from Aman Alakhramsing that was assisted by Thomas Cortes. Harrison Bernhardt rounded out the scoring for the Fire to register three more points. With the results, the Fire sit in first place in the Mid-American Division with a record of (20-0-2, 62 points).
The U-14's will resume MLS NEXT FLEX play at home Saturday, May 6 at SeatGeek Stadium as they welcome FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT.
U-15 Academy
The U-15 Academy opened their weekend on the road, taking on the Columbus Crew Academy at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The match resulted in a 3-0 loss for the Fire.
Staying in Ohio, the Fire would face FC Cincinnati the following day at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford, Ohio. Chicago would pick up the clean sheet and three points with a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati. The opening goal was scored by Vitaliy Hlyut who was assisted by Matthew Maciulis. Aaron Ineh would tally the second goal for Chicago. With the results from the weekend, the Fire currently sits in second place in the Central North Division with a record of (4-2-2, 14 points).
The U15’s will return to MLS NEXT FLEX action in a double header at home. The first matchup will be against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 6 at SeatGeek Stadium turf pitches. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. CT. The next day, Chicago hosts Columbus Crew on Sunday, May 7 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. CT.
U-17 Academy
The U-17 Academy opened their weekend on the road taking on Columbus Crew Academy at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The oldest members of the Academy opened the weekend with a thrilling 4-3 victory. The opening goal for the Fire was registered by Jayden Quezada. The next goal came from Michael Nesci. The next goal for the Fire was scored by Giovanni Granda whilst Michael Nesci registered an assist. And the final goal was scored by Max Padua assisted by Daniel Zepeda.
After an exciting victory, the Fire would return to action the next day against FC Cincinnati at the Mercy Health Training Center. A 3-1 win for the Fire would end a successful weekend for Chicago. Aleks Duncevic opened the scoring for the Fire. He would then register an assist on Michael Nesci's goal to make it 2-0. The Fire sealed their win with Michael Nesci converting from the penalty spot. Chicago now sits third in the North Central division with five points and a record of (3-3-2, 11 points).
The U17’s will return to MLS NEXT Flex action in a doubleheader at home. The first matchup will be against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 6 at the SeatGeek Stadium turf pitches. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT. The second matchup will be against Columbus Crew on Sunday, May 7 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. CT.
