The Chicago Fire Academy was among the clubs taking part in the third annual ScotiaBank CONCACAF U-13 Champions League event, a 16-team tournament bringing together top clubs from the CONCACAF region in Toluca, Mexico.
The Fire -- the lone U.S.-based club in the competition -- emerged Shield winners Saturday, winning their final match in a penalty shootout following a scoreless draw with CD Santa Ana of El Salvador. The shootout was a dramatic one and ended 4-3 in Chicago's favor, with the Fire bouncing back after having two of their first three attempts saved to win it in the sixth round of PKs.
Take a look at the Fire's third and final PK save and ensuing celebration from Saturday's Shield final:
The Fire advanced to the final thanks to a 2-0 win in the semifinals over Panama's C.D. Plaza Amador, with goals by Max Ibarra and Matija Mitrovic. Below is the complete run of results for the Fire in Toluca:
Group Stage:
- Chicago Fire 1:0 Fuerza Naranja (MEX)
- Chicago Fire 2:2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CAN)
- Chicago Fire 0:1 CS Herediano (Costa Rica)
Quarterfinals:
- Chicago Fire 3:1 Police FC (T&T)
Semifinals:
- Chicago Fire 2:0 C.D. Plaza Amador (Panama)
Final:
- Chicago Fire 0:0 C.D. Santa Ana (El Salvador)
- Penalty Shootout | Fire 4:3 Santa Ana
