The Chicago Fire U-18 squad continued their dominance of the USSFDA’S Mid-America Division, downing local side Chicago Sockers 4-0 on Saturday afternoon at Nike Field in Naperville.
The U-18s were bolstered by first half strikes from Jeff Farina (28th), Collin Fernandez (33rd) and Shannon Seymour (42nd) to take a 3-0 lead into the break.
Having assisted on Fernandez’ strike and scored one of his own before halftime, Seymour earned a brace on the other side of the break, tallying from close range in the 66th minute to close out the 4-0 win.
The win pushes the Fire U-18s to 13-1-4 on the 2013/14 USSFDA season and has the side sixth nationwide at the moment.
The Chicago Fire U-16s continued to show improved form, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Sockers 2-1 in Saturday’s second game.
After Adrian Herrera put the home side up 1-0 just before halftime, the Fire’s Ben Rhoder chipped in a goal at the back post to level the score in the 42nd minute.
Just before the final whistle, substitute Ron Smith got onto the end of a ball that was flicked over the top by Rogioberto Rojas before poking his effort past the ‘keeper to earn the Fire a 2-1 victory.
The win moves the Fire U-16s to an improved 5-8-5 in the Mid-America Division.
An undermanned Chicago Fire U-14 side dropped their first decision of the season 1-0 to the Sockers on Sunday.
The team was without David Portugal who was away with the U-15 U.S. Boy’s National Team as well as both starting wingers Brayden Callipari, David Gorniak and starting ‘keeper Raymon Rosas who was injured in pre-game warm-ups.
The Chicago Fire Academy returns to action on Saturday, April 12 when they take on their sister club, the Indiana Fire Academy in Indianapolis.
