Last weekend, the Fire's developmental team the Super 20s headed to the national championship finals in Virginia Beach. One of their defenders, Greg Klazura from Rockford, has an exclusive account of events in the championships for Section 8.

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Two Chicago Fire teams are top of the league -- did you know that? And that there's playoff action at Toyota Park this week?

The PDL and Super-20 teams both finished top of their respective midwest divisions this season. The PDL team made the playoffs for the eighth straight season (the only USL team to be able to boast that). On Tuesday, they will host the Kalamazoo Outrage at 4pm on the Toyota Park practice field. The game and parking are free, so come out and support our boys.

Meanwhile, the Super 20s -- created last season -- have the best record in North America since their founding, at an astounding 18-1-3. They head to Virginia Beach for the finals next week.

Many of these players are potential future Fire players, as the PDL/Super 20s program is now fully integrated within the Fire's developmental system. And they have been stunningly successful.

John Dorn, Director of the Fire's PDL and Super 20s program, told Backdraft of the team's effort and asked fans to come out to support the team this week.

"There will be a half dozen future pros -- hopefully Fire first teamers -- on the field on Tuesday and they sure could use some support," he said.  "They have worked their butts off this summer wearing the Fire badge proudly and bringing home another Division Championship while remaining pretty much under the radar screen.  We usually go on the road for the playoffs and encounter the Chicago taunts from opposing fans -- it would be awesome to hear some hometown fans pull for our boys."

So come out and support the PDL team on Tuesday, and follow Backdraft for news of the Super 20s playoff

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Backdraft was there last night to watch as the Chicago Fire Academy's U-16 took on local elite youth soccer club the Chicago Magic in a crucial top of the table encounter. Read on as we explore the future of the Fire.

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Imagine you watch a kid playing in a Chicago Fire shirt for the youth Academy at the age of fifteen, who catches your eye and makes you think 'he's a bit special'. Then fast-forward five years, and he's scoring the winning goal in an MLS match for the Fire's senior team having signed directly with the club two years earlier.

For the first time ever, that scenario is possible in the future. Last July, the Chicago Fire became the first MLS team to make their Academy, which covers players from age of 13-17, free for all participants. The Academy consists of 44 players making up two teams, at U-16 and U-18 levels.

Throughout the season, Backdraft will be following the Academy closely, and today we explain the set-up and its importance for the future of the Fire.

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