Fire shuts out U.S. U-17's 4-0 in preseason opener.
Chicago Fire Media Relations.
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Fire received goals from players both rookie and veteran alike as the club handily defeated the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team 4-0 at the IMG Academy earlier today in Bradenton, FL. Head Coach Dave Sarachan blended both recent draftees alongside veteran players, allowing the Fire's deep bench an early chance to show its potential. Rookies Brian Plotkin and Calen Carr would both score for the Fire, followed by second half scores from Diego Gutierrez and Andy Herron to start Chicago off with a 1-0 record in preseason exhibition play.
15 - Fire Midfielder Ivan Guerrero plays a ball to second-year defender Gonzalo Segares who takes it down the left flank. "Gonzo" sends in a low cross to the far post, which rookie midfielder Brian Plotkin runs onto from 10 yards out, hitting a one-time blast past the U-17 keeper to give the Fire an early 1-0 lead.
31- Veteran defender Diego Gutierrez sends another solid ball down the left flank to Fire midfielder Justin Mapp, who plays a through-ball to forward Calen Carr. Carr, left with a 1 v 1 situation with the U-17 goalkeeper, slots the ball low and toward the corner to double the Fire's lead at 2-0 in the 31st minute.
46 - Plotkin plays a square ball to Gutierrez in middle of the field. With a few quick dribbles, Gutierrez tees off a blast of a shot from roughly 28 yards out that rips precisely into the upper right 90, giving the Fire an insurance goal of the highest quality to bring the score to 3-0.
69 - Rookie defender Jordan Russolillo plays a ball to the end line to fellow draftee Jeremy Ashe. Ashe catches up to it at the end line and plays ball back into the box for an onrushing Andy Herron, who scores low and near-post from 15 yards out in the 69th minute, sealing the win for the "Men in Red".
The Chicago Fire will continue to train throughout the week at the IMG Academy, closing out its week of training with a double-header slate of games on Saturday, Feb. 11 versus the USASA Select Team at 10:00 a.m. ET, followed by a second game at 3:30 p.m. against Central Florida University.
Chicago Lineup (4-4-2):
Zach Thornton (Matt Pickens 31, David Mahoney 50, Ryan McIntosh 71), Jeff Curtin (Jordan Russolillo 31), C.J. Brown (Tony Sanneh 31, Ezra Prendergast 61), Gonzalo Segares (Dasan Robinson 31), Ivan Guerrero (Justin Mapp 31, Leonard Griffin 61), Logan Pause (Diego Gutierrez 31, Scott Buete 61), Brian Plotkin (Jared Montz 61), Jack Stewart (John Thorrington 31, Jeremy Ashe 61), Floyd Franks (Will Johnson 31), Calen Carr (Richard Mupfudze 61) Chad Barrett (Andy Herron 31).
Subs Not Used:
Andy Rosenband, Idris Ughiovhe, Jim Curtin, and Craig Capano.
Scoring Summary:
CHI - Brian Plotkin (Gonzalo Segares, Ivan Guerrero) 15
CHI - Calen Carr (Justin Mapp, Diego Gutierrez) 31
CHI - Diego Gutierrez (Brian Plotkin) 46
CHI - Andy Herron (Jeremy Ashe, Jordan Russolillo) 69
Down, But not Out:
Fire forward Nate Jaqua, who as of late had been training with the United States Men's National Team at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, has been sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a Grade II MCL Sprain in his right knee. Jaqua suffered the injury on Saturday while playing in a training session against South Korea. The up-and-coming Fire forward has been in camp to demonstrate his skills for U.S. Head Coach Bruce Arena, managing to log 25 minutes in the U.S.'s 5-0 rout of Norway on January 29 to earn his first cap. His involvement in the game's final goal in the 87th minute showed promise for the young forward, but he will now need time off to let his knee recover. Jaqua will undergo rehabilitation in the coming days.