Soccer News: Chicago Fire Expand Fully Funded Academy Program to Include U10 through U18 Age Groups
Setting new standards for youth player development within the MLS and USSF Acacdemy program, Chicaho Fire will now provide the highest level of soccer instruction and access to professional environment for players U10 through U18 in a fully funded youth soccer program.
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that the club has expanded the Chicago Fire Academy program to include a fully-funded program for youth soccer players ranging from Under-10 to Under-18 age groups. The new Chicago Fire Academy is the only comprehensive, fully-funded player development program in Major League Soccer (MLS) encompassing players from U18 down to U10.
“We are extremely proud to be able to offer a fully-funded program to youth soccer players in the Chicagoland area,” said Chicago Fire Vice President of Soccer Operations Guillermo Petrei. “The commitment and investment made by our owner Andrew Hauptman and the club is truly invaluable as we embark on the next phase of professional player development.”
The Chicago Fire Academy program is designed to maximize the frequency of training and give players access to the top soccer development facilities in the Midwest.
The Academy will utilize MLS programming and competition platforms that are currently the highest standard of play in the United States, and will provide players with access to the most professional training environment of its kind in Chicago.
The Fire player development program has grown from 400 youths to over 10,000 across seven states, and will expand the Chicago Fire Academy program to new age groups with Academy teams now being operated at U10, U11, U12, U13, U14 & U15 in addition to the U16 and U18 age groups that participate in the USSF Development Academy. All players selected for this program will be eligible for inclusion on the club’s Homegrown Player List.
Players in the new Academy program will undergo the highest level of instruction from Fire coaches, as the Fire staff are all certified with a United States Soccer Federation “A” coaching license.
In addition, the Chicago Fire Academy provides a foray into to the club’s “Team for the World’ alliance with eight international clubs including Atletico Madrid (Spain), Club America (Mexico) and Internacional (Brazil).
Tryout Information:
|
AGE GROUP
|
DAY/DATE
|
TIME
|
LOCATION
|
|
U 10
|
FRIDAY MAY 11TH
|
5:00PM
|
TOYOTA PARK | BRIDGEVIEW
|
|
U 11
|
FRIDAY MAY 11TH
|
5:00PM
|
TOYOTA PARK | BRIDGEVIEW
|
|
U 12
|
FRIDAY MAY 11TH
|
6:30PM
|
TOYOTA PARK | BRIDGEVIEW
|
|
U 13
|
MONDAY MAY 14TH
|
5:30PM
|
BRIDGEVIEW SPORTSDOME
|
|
U 14
|
MONDAY MAY 14TH
|
7:00PM
|
BRIDGEVIEW SPORTSDOME
|
|
U 15
|
MONDAY MAY 14TH
|
8:30PM
|
BRIDGEVIEW SPORTSDOME
|
The Chicago Fire Academy provides an elite player development environment designed to identify and develop the best young talent within the Chicago area, with the ultimate goal of cultivating the elite player who aspires to be a professional or top level collegiate player.
For more information, please visit the website Chicago Fire Academy or email or by phone at 708.496.6640.
In addition, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced last week that the club has renewed its partnership with Youth Elite Soccer (YES) as its official camp and training program partner. Youth Elite Soccer will continue to operate the club's Camps & Training and Emerging Talent Programs in soccer communities across the Midwest and through Chicago Fire Juniors programs nationwide.
With the overarching principles of "Train Like A Pro, Play Like A Pro" and "Think Less, Imagine More," Youth Elite Soccer utilizes a research-based, age appropriate instructional method and curriculum which transcends soccer and positively affects player development.
To better engage the local communities that YES currently serves, YES has created the position of Community Development Officer (CDO) exclusively for the Fire Juniors. The CDOs will visit schools and recreation departments with the mission of promoting and raising the profile of the Fire in the community.
"Youth Elite Soccer is proud to continue helping the Chicago Fire Soccer Club reach more young players at a grassroots level," said YES President and Owner H.B. Mertz. "That's where we thrive. With our unique approach to developing young talent, we’re looking forward to working closely and collaborating with the Fire in the coming years.”
ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB
Founded on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1997, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club enters its 15th Major League Soccer season. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural campaign in 1998 and was crowned champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL.
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