Project 2018 Program

Players born 8/01/01 - 7/31/02. CFJ FLORIDA will select U9 Boys and U9 Girls to be a part of Project 2018, which is named after the year these young players, could potentially graduate into the Chicago Fire Academy. This is a unique development program that allows players to continue to play in a recreational or competitive program of another soccer club and still participate in Project 2018.

"Placing a club's top coaching resources with the youngest players is something that just isn’t done in the US. Economics, coaching agenda and a "win at all cost" mentality – even at these ages – are just some of the reasons our players are not getting the soccer foundation they need. This is certainly a step in the right direction and an investment in player development the Chicago Fire Juniors are taking very seriously", said Larry Sunderland, Chicago Fire Juniors Director of Player Development. The P-2018 program will be offered year round in 10-week increments. The group will participate in a special training program as well as well as various developmentally appropriate playing opportunities.

Players are selected for the Project 2018 (maximum 40 U9 Boys and 40 U9 Girls) program at an evaluation. This is an evaluation of current ability and every effort is made to find a spot in the program for all U9 players, however, Project 2018 is a selection of the current top Boys and Girls from all U9 players present at evaluations.

Micro League Soccer Program [MLS]

Players born 8/01/02 - 7/31/04. Chicago Fire Juniors' in-house youth development program designed for players’ ages 6-7 who want to join the club and want a more developmental focus than other recreational programs can offer. This program is designed to prepare players for our academy and premier teams. Training will take place for once a week for an hour and half with Chicago Fire Juniors professional staff coaches. Games will be played in-house in a 3 verses 3, or, 4 verses 4 "street soccer" format where the coaching staff can adjust according to the week’s lesson. The "street soccer" format allows the coaching staff to rearrange teams, adjust fields and goals to create an environment that best challenges players. The CFJ FLORIDA coaching staff desires for MLS program players to advance on to the CFJ FLORIDA premier program and will modify the environment so players can learn the game from different angles. The core of the programming will be building the players technical skills. The program will be offered seasonally in the fall, winter and spring.

First Touch

Players born 8/01/04-7/31/06. The First Touch program is a safe, fun, and developmentally appropriate training program offered to all players 4 and 5 years old. First Touch offers recreational players another option to sample training in a professional environment. Activities will concentrate on technique and having fun. Training sessions are forty-five minutes to one hour in duration and games are played within the sessions. Players should wear proper soccer equipment (shin guards, soccer socks, and if possible soccer specific shoes) and bring a ball.

The First Touch program's mission is to create a soccer experience that is unmistakably enjoyable for the both the child and family. Each activity directs players toward learning the fundamental aspects of the game appropriate for his/ her age and ability. Embracing the motto "Winning through Development", First Touch and Cadet lay the foundation for young soccer players by tooling them with the basic skills necessary for success in future competition. In addition to targeting basic soccer skills, First Touch and Fire Cadet programs emphasize coordination, balance and agility. The methods of instruction are designed to "unlock the game with in the child" by disguising skills in imaginative activities, that teach through fun. The Chicago Fire Juniors’ curriculum builds from simple to complex over the course of a session and season.

Cadets

Players born all ages. CFJ FLORIDA Cadets is a great way to supplement the training of a recreational player. Often recreational programs do not provide professional coaches to teach players the basic of the game or the skills necessary to advance to the next level. Cadets offer recreational players another option to sample training in a professional environment. Activities will concentrate on technique and having fun. Training sessions are 90 min in duration and games are played the last half hour. Players who excel should consider our MLS Program, Project 2018 or the Junior Academy.