Wisconsin Soccer Central

The Wisconsin Fire, the new program pairing players from 10 Wisconsin clubs and the state Olympic Development Program with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, played their first matches on Sunday in Bridgeview, Ill.

The Under-16 and Under-18 boys teams faced their Chicago Fire Academy counterparts in friendlies at Toyota Park.

Sam Kornetzke (Grafton/North Shore United) set up the first goal and drew a penalty that led to the second as the Under-16 team posted a 2-0 victory on the Fire's first-team training field. Connor Alba (Waukesha Catholic Memorial/SC Waukesha) headed in a cross from Kornetzke for the opener, while Sean Reynolds (Bavarian SC) converted from the spot after Kornetzke was fouled in the box.

In the Under-18 match played on the Toyota Park stadium field, the Fire Academy posted a 4-0 victory.

The Wisconsin Fire's Under-16 and Under-18 boys teams will resume play following the high school season, while the Under-12, Under-13 and Under-14 boys and girls teams will play in a Showcase tournament hosted by the Chicago Fire on Aug. 24 and 25.

The 14 Wisconsin Fire teams – with boys and girls sides from Under-12 through Under-18 – are part of the new U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League Pro Youth Clubs Affiliates Division, which includes 15 other clubs or teams from or affiliated with the Fire and fellow MLS franchises Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City.

The 10 state clubs involved in the Wisconsin Fire program are Bavarian SC, Brookfield SA, Croatian Eagles, Madison 56ers, Milwaukee Kickers, North Shore United, Racine United SC, Rush Wisconsin, Kenosha's United FC and SC Waukesha. Players from other state clubs can become involved in the program though Wisconsin ODP.