Who are the Chicago Fire Juniors?

Established in 2004 as the official youth soccer club of Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, the Chicago Fire Juniors are a professionally based youth soccer club in the United States.

The Chicago Fire Juniors are part of the Chicago Fire (MLS) Player Development Program and are an integral piece of the Player Development Pyramid. This "Pyramid" creates a progressive developmental structure providing players the opportunity to move from introductory play, competitive play and elite youth play into professional academy formats (Fire Academy U16, U18) and professional development programs (Super 20, PDL) – finally, onto the Fire MLS team. The Chicago Fire Juniors, in association with the Chicago Red Eleven of the women’s W-League, replicate the Player Development Pyramid for females by providing young ladies the opportunity to play at the highest levels presently available in the United States.

Chicago Fire Juniors Philosophy

The Chicago Fire Juniors believe in the Pyramid of Player Development. From the base of the pyramid, where one finds the greatest number of participants within the recreational program for the beginning player, to the top of the pyramid, where we find our first division professional player - our program has the capacity to meet every player's goals…male or female.

Our professional coaching staff is equipped to meet every player's developmental needs - from bottom to top. We follow a curriculum that is both age and ability based and allows the flexibility to accommodate those who are excelling as well as those who need additional help. Because of our soccer club's unique distinction as the first program to follow a professional soccer club model - one club, from youth recreational teams to our elite teams and Academy teams - finally to the ultimate, the MLS's Chicago Fire (men) or the W-League’s Chicago Red Eleven (women) - there is no other club in the United States that is committed to player development from bottom to top.

Why the Chicago Fire Juniors Florida?

The Chicago Fire Juniors Florida is a first class professionally run organization that will produce teams who will consistently compete at the highest level and consistently develop players who play at the highest levels. The Chicago Fire Juniors Florida maintains the infrastructure for player and team development that produces the highest quality player and team results. As part of the Chicago Fire Player Development Program, Fire Juniors Florida players have access to unparalleled opportunities for soccer development…opportunities that no other club can provide. Youth to professional, top quality leadership and coaching, always ahead of the curve and leading the way…

The Chicago Fire Juniors… "Leading the Evolution of Youth Soccer!"

The Chicago Fire Juniors affiliates have demonstrated results in the top state, regional and national leagues (State League,, Regional Premier League, US Club Regionals, Super Y League, USYS National League, the USSF Academy), as well as over seas. Our players are regularly recognized on ODP State, Regional and National Teams. Fire Juniors teams participate in the most prestigious of tournaments including such tournaments as Dallas Cup, Disney Showcase, Orange Classic, Blue Chip Showcase, Raleigh Showcase and Final Four Showcases. The Chicago Fire Juniors is proud of its long list of alumni currently playing college and professional soccer and looks forward to continuing that tradition.

Chicago Fire has put all soccer operations under one roof to better incorporate the "one club" philosophy that the ownership and technical staff embrace wholeheartedly. The background support and connectivity with the First team that Chicago Fire offers is unparalleled.

Paul Cadwell, Director of Soccer/Team Administration will oversee administration of all teams from the first team all the way through to all affiliated Chicago Fire Juniors teams. Larry Sunderland, in addition to his role as Academy Director and Technical Director of Chicago Fire Juniors will be an Assistant Coach with the First team. In that role, Larry will be part of the First team staff and as such, will help incorporate the philosophy and style of Coach De Los Cobos to all Fire teams…maintaining the Chicago Fire way!

Brian Roberts has joined the Player Development department and in addition to his role as Director of Camps and Regional Development Schools that he currently holds, he will serve as a Manager for Chicago Fire to all Chicago Fire Junior affiliates. Ron Stern, Director of Soccer Operations and Jason Kolisch, Senior Manager of Soccer Operations have joined the department to assist in any logistic needs Chicago Fire Juniors affiliates may need. Emigdio Gamboa from the Chicago Fire front office also will be available to assist in any matters that involve Hispanic/Latin affairs.