Neighborhood sports
Boys soccer
U-15 Chicago Fire Juniors: The Chicago Fire Juniors took fourth place in the inaugural season of the U.S. National League, comprised of eight top regional teams from across the country.
This guarantees the club a spot in next year's U-16 league based on play begun in Raleigh, N.C., in November and recently completed as part of the Disney Soccer Showcase.
In the opening match Dec. 27 in Orlando, the Fire tied the defending national champions Casa Mia Bays from Baltimore 0-0. Goalie Sam Euler made a save in the first half on a Bay penalty kick.
On Dec. 28, the Fire won a match against the Weston Fury from Ft. Lauderdale 3-1. Weston scored first on a set piece in the first half, but it was followed by a volley to the near post right off the foot of Sean Mogan of Naperville from a cross by Zander Carpanzano (Glen Ellyn).
In the second half, Victor Pineda of Bolingbrook blasted a free kick from 30 yards out. Then Horatio Sanchez of Countryside sealed the victory by slotting in a rebound on Naperville resident Carson Swafford's shot. Chris Alexander of Bolingbrook had 10 saves in goal.
The Fire lost to Dallas Texan Solar 1-0 the next day. On Dec. 29, the Fire faced CASL from Raleigh. On a throw-in early in the first half, Pineda sent an excellent pass inside the box to Peter Beasley of Naperville for a left-footed goal.
The Fire scored again minutes into the second half when Jacob Brindle of Naperville headed in a cross from Grant Fitzgerald of Lisle after another throw-in. CASA answered late in the second half with a goal on a set play for a final score of 2-2.
Most Fire team members come from the Naperville Lightning Soccer Club, which merged into the Chicago Fire Juniors in 2007. The team also received assistance from Miguel Acosta of Joliet; Will Butler of Bolingbrook; Drew DeLozier of Watertown, Wis.; Tyler Gill of Plainfield; Matt Kersten of Downers Grove; Kyle Kurfirst of Western Springs; and Jon Rosenbaum of Plainfield.
The boys are coached by Matt Kirkpatrick and Trey Bradberry.