Fire U-17/18 can't capitalize on chances, settles for scoreless draw with Sockers FC

By Curt Herron

Opportunities presented themselves regularly throughout Saturday's U-17/18 match for the Fire Academy against Sockers FC.

But the Fire was unable to find the net and that resulted in a frustrating scoreless draw at Toyota Park's practice field.

Chicago was hoping to build off its success from last weekend in Detroit, when it won a pair of matches and collected six points.

Instead, the Fire (4-3-4, 16 points) has to be content with seeing their unbeaten streak reach five Great Lakes Division matches.

The shutout posted by Sockers (3-2-4, 13 points) marked just the third time this season that the Fire failed to register a goal.

It also prevented Chicago from recording a season sweep over Sockers FC, who they defeated 2-1 in a match back on April 10.

And the draw put them in a tie for fourth with 16 points in a division where the top six teams are divided by just four points.

That raises the stakes for today's home match with FC Milwaukee, which is last in the division and has failed to post any wins.

A positive for the Fire was that this was its fourth shutout in division play, with all coming in their last seven matches.

Zak Allen recorded the shutout in the net behind defenders Anthony Torres, Lalo Cuautle, Peter Beasley and Keaton Albert.

Chicago's frustration in finding a goal was only compounded during the final 18 minutes, when it played with a man advantage.

Most of the Fire's chances came during the final half when it had a good wind at their backs, but still could not capitalize.

A liner from Jacob Brindle that was deflected away by keeper Hugo Gonzalez started things for the hosts shortly after the break.

Sockers had one of its few good chances a few minutes later when Thomas Arns fired off an attempt that was hauled in by Allen.

Daniel Lojek then sent in a series of threatening corner kicks which were denied before Brindle was stopped on another shot.

After Sockers lost a player due to a red card, the Fire actually had fewer good chances and the visitors began to challenge.

Allen made a nice stop on a short shot from Victor Sanchez off a cross from Arns and then Kei Glaser was just wide on a try.

Felipe Cortez was denied after Gonzalez dove to stop a liner and Luis Barajas had a corner deflected before time expired.

During the opening half, Cuautle sent in a long free kick which ended which went to Brady Wahl, whose header was hauled in.

After Manny Guzman was stopped on a short try, Cortez sent in a free kick which went off the keeper's hands and hit the post.

Wahl was later denied on a line drive before Taylor Cole threatened before the break with a long attempt that went to Allen.