Bad start dooms U-17/18 in Great Lakes opener against Derby County

By Curt Herron

It was not the kind of start that the Chicago Fire Academy U-17/18 team was looking for as it opened play in the competitive Great Lakes Division.

Derby County ran over the Fire for three first-half goals to grab a 3-1 halftime advantage in Saturday's match at Toyota Park's practice field.

While the Fire managed to get a goal back in the second half, they fell short of completing a comeback and dropped a 3-2 decision in Bridgeview.

Jacob Brindle scored both goals for the Fire (0-1-0), who came out flat against the early front-runner in the division and wound up paying for it.

After the squads exchanged goals during the 24th and 26th minutes, Derby County (3-1-1) took control with scores in the 31st and 37th minutes.

Following some good chances, the Fire pulled to within 3-2 in the 65th minute but the suburban Detroit squad held them off the rest of the way.

The Fire started six players who were key members of last season's U-15/16 US Soccer Development Academy national championship squad.

That group that moved up to the U-17/18 included Keaton Albert, Peter Beasley, David Caban, Sam Euler, Luis Medina and Anthony Torres.

But a pair of performers from the Wolves' 2009 U-15/16 national champs, TJ VanSlooten and Eric Weberman, caused the Fire plenty of headaches.

"Giving up three goals in a half hurt, but it was deserved," Fire assistant coach Tony Kees said. "That was probably the worst half of soccer that any of our teams have played in four years.

"That first half was tough for us to swallow, but it seems like that's our mo with the 18s. We start off slow and get their backs against the wall and they have to push back, and they usually do.

"The interesting thing will be finding out about this team and what they're made of. Is this going to be a recurring incident in every game or will they turn the corner and will we jump on teams?"

Derby County struck first when VanSlooten sent a short try that bounced off the post before rebounding back to him for a successful follow-up.

About two minutes later, the Fire got the equalizer when Medina sent a pass toward Brindle, who fired in an attempt from close range.

Right after that, Fire keeper Euler hauled in a line drive from Weberman in what proved to be the beginning of the end for the hosts.

In the 31st minute, Weberman put Derby County in front for good when he put in a loose ball that quickly appeared in front of the Fire net.

There was a frenzy of activity following that score, beginning with a short grounder that Euler scooped up that was sent in by VanSlooten.

After Manny Guzman was denied on a liner by Wolves keeper Scott Poole, Nermin Crnkic had an close attempt cleared away by Albert.

But Crnkic would find the net a short time later, in the 37th minute, when he fired off a line drive from around the top of the box.

While the Fire had many more chances during the second half, Derby County seemed content to let its defense try to wrap up the victory.

Following an early header by Brindle that was grabbed by Poole, Crnkic and VanSlooten responded with good tries that Euler corralled.

The Fire responded with a close shot from Guzman, but it was cleared by a Derby County defender shortly before Medina was just wide on a try.

In the 64th minute, Patrick Doody sent in a free kick toward the front of the net and Medina's close attempt was punched away by the keeper.

But the Fire managed to connect in he following minute when Doody sent a cross to Brindle, who headed in a shot that went off Poole's fingers.

Following a series of substitutions that saw Luis Barajas, Joey Calistri, Daniel Lojek and Noah Anthony enter, the Fire made one final push.

Anthony was denied on a grounder shortly before Brindle smacked the crossbar and then sent a shot over the net with about two minutes left.

The Fire return to action for another Great Lakes Division match on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. when they meet up with Vardar in Bridgeview.