June 6, 2012
WINNING WEEKEND
Fire Academy teams go 3-0-1

The Chicago Fire U-18 and U-16 Development Academy teams went 3-0-1 in U.S. Soccer Development Academy Great Lakes Division Play. The U-18s drew FC Milwaukee 3-3 on Saturday and defeated local rivals Sockers FC 1-0 on Sunday. The U-16s posted identical 1-0 wins against FC Milwaukee on Saturday and Sockers FC on Sunday.

The Fire U-18s kicked off the weekend at FC Milwaukee Complex in Germantown, Wisc on Saturday, June 2. The Fire went ahead early with Kellen Gulley’s eighth minute goal before FC Milwaukee’s Patrick Hodan scored the equalizer in the 30th minute. The Fire demonstrated resolve in the second half when they fell behind twice but were able to draw level both times. FC Milwaukee went ahead 2-1 with Michael Skow’s goal in the 65th minute but just four minutes later the Fire’s Joel Salmeron pulled one back with his goal in the 69th minute. FC Milwaukee found the lead again when Hodan notched his second goal of the match in the 77th minute, but the Fire’s Chisom Ogbonna found the back of the net in the 86th minute for a final score of 3-3.

In the second match of the day, Collin Fernandez scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute to give the Fire U-16s a 1-0 win over FC Milwaukee. Kyle Anthony Dal Santo was in goal for the Fire to preserve the shutout.

The Fire U-18s kicked off Sunday, June 3 against regional rivals Sockers FC at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill. The Fire’s Drew Conner scored the only goal of the match in the 34th minute. Despite going down a man in the 50th minute when Joel Salmeron received a red card for dissent, the Fire held on for a 1-0 victory. Christian Lomelli started in goal and preserved the shutout for the Fire.

The Fire U-16s featured in the afternoon fixture against Sockers FC. Fire midfielder John Moderwell scored the only goal of the match in the 68th minute to give the Fire their second 1-0 victory of the weekend. Dal Santo again featured in goal for the Fire to notch his second shutout of the weekend.

The Chicago Fire Developmental Academy teams return to action when the U-18 and U-16 teams host Chicago Magic PSG on Sunday, June 10 at the Toyota Park Practice Field.


Despite their draw on Saturday, the Chicago Fire U-18s currently sit atop the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy nationwide standings. In 14 conference games, the Fire have a 12-0-2 record and have outscored their opponents 43 to 9. They hold an overall record of 17-2-2.

Zak Allen and Christian Lomelli have split time for the U-18s in goal this season, combining for eight shutouts in 14 games.

The Chicago Fire U-16s are currently ranked fourth in the nation, and are the highest ranked MLS squad in the Developmental Academy standings. In their 14 conference games, the Fire hold a 11-1-2 record, outscoring their opponents 24-7. Their overall record currently stands at 15-3-3.

Goalkeeper Kyle Anthony Dal Santo has recorded eight shutouts in 14 games for the U-16s.