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.

In less than a minute, they were one nil down and their heads dropped. It'd only been a short time since their last encounter with the older, more physical Chicago Magic, and the Fire's under 16 team seemed suddenly to have total of recall of that stinging 2-0 defeat.

Soon, they were down by that score again, and by half time, it had become three. They looked nervous, edgy, disorganized; and by the end of the half, thoroughly dispirited. The ragged band of Section 8ers cheering them on gave them shouts of encouragement as they loped off the pitch, and a small spark could be seen in their eyes as they glanced our way.

And lo: this team has spirit. The U-16s came back out and started the second half firing on all cylinders, looking much more like the team we'd seen give the US Youth National Team a hell of a game (tied 1-1) and dismantle the elite Chicago Sockers a fortnight ago.

Quick, composed passing, good movement, aggressive dribbling and an upbeat attitude returned: and all of a sudden, the Fire pulled a goal back. And then, after the Magic had been reduced to ten for further dirty tackling, the Fire pulled another back through a thumping header. Section 8 roared, the players leapt, and it really was game on.

The Magic looked lost. As their coach had feared at half-time, the Fire brought on two of their best prospects -- two who usually play for U-18s, but who now helped out their own age-group's team by injecting some size and strength.

The U-16 team has been, every time we've seen them, smaller and younger than their opponents, holding their own only due to their superior technical ability. Most of them are young enough to return again for the U-16s next year. But now finally they had out their best possible team, and it was too good for the Magic to deal with.

The Fire kept pushing for the equalizer, working it down the flanks and utilizing their strong forwards well. A good chance went begging, as the Magic, literally under siege, somehow held on by the skin of their teeth.

Final score: Fire 2-3 Magic.

But at this level, there are things far more important than the final score, as Academy Director Louis Mateus explained to us earlier this year. Even though results have been outstanding for the first year of the club's free Academy program (the U-16s are 14-6-4, the U-18s 12-5-7), it's more about developing players with the right technical skills and the right attitude to be Fire players (due to recent MLS rule changes, each MLS club can now pick up to two players to sign directly from their academies each year).

Time and again, we have seen the youth teams the Fire play whining, moaning, faking, and bitching at the referee. The Fire's teams, on the other hand, display a professionalism that many an MLS team could learn from (I'm looking at you, New England).

Watching from the sidelines, all Section 8ers present agreed that this crop of kids looked fitting in their Youth Fire jerseys: one day, a few them will surely be pulling that same jersey on in Adult size at Toyota Park.

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12 Comments

El Guapo June 25, 2008	I could not agree more. I was very surprised that the Magic coach would let his team be unprofessional. With all the history the Magic have had I expected more from what I saw and heard. The Fire Academy are on the right track bringing in the next generation of Fire players. If you have a chance you should go to at least one game. The kids will appreciate it more than you know.
Pattrick June 25, 2008	nice job guys. wish we could have gotten a result against the magic. if we want more youth players in the area to look to the fire as the best way into professional soccer then we must set the standard of being the best youth team in the chicagoland area. it was a good first season. hopefully next year they well tell us when and where the games will be played ahead of time with more accuracy.
Ben June 26, 2008	I would love for this team to be embraced by the fans. They deserve it. Watching them play has been a surprising joy for me this year.
whatreallyhappened July 01, 2008	OH well it is really awsome that my first comment got deleted. The ONLY reason i think this would have happened is because everyone knew how true it was. but that is for you all to decide.
Tom Dunmore July 01, 2008	No, it was because it was untrue and disrespectful to the Fire. The two players they put in at half-time were eligible for their team, they're just good enough to usually play above their age level at U-18. Ask before you try to spread false information next time, and don't post in disrespectful language, either.
whatreallyhappened July 01, 2008	funny a guy who supports blanco is talking about people diving...lol 3-0 3-2 thats 6-2 aggregate...not even making it free could get it done against the magic.
Tom Dunmore July 02, 2008	I guess you won't be wanting any of your Magic players to play professionally for their local team the Chicago Fire, then?
whatreallyhappened July 02, 2008	Why when they could have a chance to play with Monaco.
theRadone July 03, 2008	It's okTom, because I heard the Magic has lot of kids getting college scholarships. You know,if they don't become the next Lillian Thuram. Although the time and money would be better spent on tutors and studying, if college is indeed the goal for your child. I know if I had my parents and friends cheering for me every time I cracked a book and a tutor micromanaging me. I could have very easily been Ivy League material...alas...no such luck. My parents disowned me when I was cut from my HS Academic Decathlon team that won the national championship. I was crushed and from that day I decided to hang up my books. It's been sex, drugs and rock n roll ever since.
whatreallyhappened July 09, 2008	I saw your "class act role model" Blanco was at it again against DC. What a great person for the academy players to learn from...
juan gutierrez September 07, 2008	the magic is going to miss foreman next season, this year is going to be a lot different for the fire, i'm predicting both teams (u16 and u18) going to the nationals in california next year, go fire
juan gutierrez September 07, 2008	i havent heard any of the magic players going to monaco, i think that's all a big lie, we'll see more magic players playing for chicago fire in the coming seasons.....