Special to www.chicagolandsoccer.net (courtesy of Janine Mogan)

The Chicago Fire U-18 Developmental Academy boys soccer team was crowned the Illinois State Cup champion at Sportscore 2 in Rockford on Sunday, May 22nd, earning its 6th first place trophy and one finalist cup since beginning the playoffs at the U-12 level. 

During the four-match run, the team's stellar defense allowed only one goal, while the offense scored fifteen.  They defeated F.C. Chicago 8-0, Downers Grove Roadrunners 2-0, Rockford Raptors 2-0 and Inter F.C. 3-1.

On Saturday, May 21st, Andrew Worthington (Hinsdale) scored in the first half on an assist from Ryan Tarter (Bloomington).  With two minutes remaining in the match, Tyler Stenzel (Gurnee) put the insurance goal in the back of the net on an assist from Patrick Kaindl (Naperville). 

Then on Sunday, the Fire went up 1-0 on a throw in from Jake Irwin throw in to Noah Anthony (St. Charles) in the 14th minute.  Inter managed to knot it up to end regulation. 

In the first 15 minute overtime session, Jake Irwin took a corner kick, which Tarter headed back to Horacio Sanchez (Countryside) for a goal and then Brandon Brown (Gurnee) crossed to Will Butler (Naperville) for the final 3-1 tally.   

The outstanding defense of Jake Irwin, Omel Perchatsch, Mike Pizzello and Tarter, with Quinn McAnaney and Matt Iwaniuk in goal, allowed only 5 shots on goal on Saturday and 8 on Sunday, including 30-minutes of overtime, all but one of which were saved.

Despite having only one substitute player available on May 14th at Rockford's Sportscore I, the team defeated F.C. Chicago 8-0 on two goals each from Keegan Balle (Naperville), Butler, Tyler Gill (Plainfield) and Sanchez. 

On May 15th, the boys defeated the Downers Grove Roadrunners 2-0 in the quarterfinals on goals by Balle, on an assist by a flick from Sanchez in front of the goal, and from Sanchez, on a ball rebounded off the Roadrunner goalkeeper on a shot by Butler.  

The boys also swept the Midwest Regional League Premier (highest) Blue division, 7-0-0 with a 16-2 goals for-goals against summary.  Winning the State Cup and the MRL each entitle the team to advance to the Midwest Region II Championship Tournament (comprised of 13 other state championship teams) beginning June 24th in Appleton, WI, where they are no strangers, as they were the 2008 champion, 2007 finalist, and 2007 semifinalist. 

Success at Regionals would place the boys at their second U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship, to be held in Phoenix, AZ July 26th - 31st.

The full team is comprised of Noah Anthony, Keegan Balle, Brandon Brown, Will Butler, Tyler Gill, Jake Irwin, Matt Iwaniuk, Patrick Kaindl, Quinn McAnaney, Sean Mogan, Omel Perchatsch, Mike Pizzello, Patryk Ruta, Horacio Sanchez, Tyler Stenzel, Ryan Tarter, George Vinihakis, Maurice Watkins and Andrew Worthington.   The boys are coached by Marc McElligott.