Fire U-15/16 moves a step closer to playoffs after beating Internationals

By Curt Herron

There weren't that many instances this season where both of the Fire Academy teams produced similar results on the same day of play.

Prior to this weekend, the Fire shared the same outcome on four occasions, with three of those being wins during the month of May.

But nothing really came close to what unfolded on Saturday afternoon, when the Fire met up with the Internationals in Medina, Ohio.

Although the Fire swept the Internationals, as they had done on May 7, the similarities this time around certainly were much clearer.

Both squads scored in the tenth minute, added second-half insurance goals and allowed a score by the host team in the final minute.

The lone difference in the U-15/16 Fire's 2-1 win from their U-17/18 counterparts is that it only got them closer to the playoffs.

While Chicago's U-17/18 team was assured of making it as a wildcard after their 2-1 win, the U-15/16 squad had to wait another day.

They needed either a win or tie against the Great Lakes Division champion Columbus Crew and they posted a scoreless draw on Sunday.

The Fire moved in front for good on Saturday when Elliot Borge connected on a short attempt following a pass from Francisco Sajuan.

During the 49th minute, Manny Chavez fired in a line drive, which was set up by a pass from Borge, to give the Fire a 2-0 advantage.

Just as rains were spoiling an otherwise beautiful Saturday afternoon outside of Akron, the Fire allowed a score in the late going.

That not only prevented them from recording their 11th division shutout but added some extra drama to their chase for the playoffs.

Defenders Cody Witkowski, Charlie Oliver, Benjamin Kucera and Louis Bennett kept Christian Lomeli from facing many serious threats.

Chicago was not at full strength for the match, going with a lineup that didn't feature usual starters Drew Conner and Jesus Medina.

But Mike Winhoffer and Ruben Chavez stepped in and performed well and helped the Fire set the tone by getting off to a good start.

While some Fire players were unable due to taking the ACT, Manny Rios actually was able to take his test at a nearby high school, thus allowing him to compete.

The Fire had some chances prior to their initial score, starting with keeper Charlie Horton deflecting a short try by Joel Salmeron.

On Salmeron's subsequent corner, Manny Chavez had a header that was hauled in and a short time later, Sajuan smacked a shot off the post.

After taking the 1-0 lead, Kucera sent a long free kick that Borge headed to the keeper and Salmeron was denied on a short attempt.

The Fire kept up the attack midway through the half as Bennett lined a free kick to Horton and Kucera saw a short shot deflected.

In the final minutes of the opening half, Manny Chavez sent a free kick which eventually went to Bennett, whose liner was knocked away.

Following the Fire's second-half goal, they only had a couple of other good chances, with Salmeron and Ruben Chavez being denied.

The hosts found the net after a running clock had expired when James Milli connected from close range to provide some final drama.

As the rain picked up, the last-place Internationals had one final try but Lomeli hauled in the attempt not long before the referee blew the final whistle.