Fire Academy sees first action at Phoenix showcase

Story provided by Fire Academy

The Chicago Fire Academy returned from their first competition of the new season in Phoenix, Arizona with mixed results.

The two teams went 1-1-4 in the six matches, which was not up to expectations.

However, there were numerous ?glimpses' of promise and out and out brilliance by many of the players over the weekend.

Both the U16 and U18 teams displayed what scouts called ?good soccer', but that the newness of each team was evident.

The U16s opened the competition with a 2-2 draw against Pateadores (CA).

After going up one in the first half on a Henrik Egly tally, the Fire conceded two second half goals before Victor Pineda rescued a result with a goal in extra time.

In the second game, the Fire were without 4 players that were called in for the select teams showcase, but managed to play well against big and physical Concord Fire (GA) side.

The game ended 0-0 despite Concord playing down a man for 55 minutes with a red card. Sam Euler was not busy in goal for Chicago but earned the clean sheet.

In their final game of the weekend the U16's played against Crossfire Premiere (WA) and were on the front foot most of the game, but settled for a 1-1 draw.

Elliot Borge got the lone Chicago strike in the first half just before Crossfire equalized. Zach Allen made his Fire debut in goal for Chicago.

The U18s began their weekend brightly, winning 6-0 vs. Pateadores. Marco Gutierrez (2), Patrick Doody (2), Manny Guzman and Connor Holloway scored goals in the one-sided affair.

But that was it for the scoring as Chicago was shutout in the final two games (0-0 vs. Concord Fire and 0-2 vs. Real So Cal (CA)).

Charlie Lyon saw limited action with the Fire but played well in his select all-star appearance.

"Certainly, the results were not what we were looking for", said Tony Kees, U16 coach. "Our standards are higher than that and the players know it.

"But overall it was a good trip in the other areas that we emphasize, such as the players adhering to our core values and the class in which we travel."

The Fire Academy resumes winter training before taking a holiday break.