Wisconsin Soccer Central

The Wisconsin Fire, the program featuring players from 10 clubs across the state and part of the Chicago Fire's Emerging Talent Program, fared well at the Mayor's Cup International Showcase over the weekend in Las Vegas.

Nine Wisconsin Fire teams amassed a 19-10-9 record – the five boys sides were a combined 12-6-4, while the four girls teams went 7-4-5.

The Under-17 boys team led the way, advancing to Monday's final in the Chapman Auto Group before falling to Utah's Sparta United SC Premier on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

The team – coached by Appleton SC's Tommy Alioto – outscored opponents 14-3 in its six matches (5-0-1) and defeated two international foes, topping French side Team LA 59-62 2-0 in the quarterfinals and Canadian club Marin FC Blue 3-1 in the semifinals.

Two Wisconsin Fire girls teams also were ousted on penalties, both in the quarterfinals. The Under-14 side posted three shutout victories in group play before a 1-1 tie against Nevada's FC ECNL, while the Under-15 team racked up nine goals in pool play before being eliminated by California's Ajax United Elite.

The Under-18 boys team was unbeaten in its four matches in Under-19 play, recording clean sheets after allowing a goal in its opener, while the Under-16 boys posted a 3-0 win over Xolos CIX – a team from Mexican Liga MX club Club Tijuana.

The Wisconsin Fire teams include players and coaches from Appleton SC, Bavarian SC, Brookfield SA, Croatians Eagles, Madison 56ers, Milwaukee Kickers, North Shore United, Racine United, Rush Wisconsin and SC Waukesha.

• Six other state sides played at the Mayor's Cup. Among the highlights: The United Allouez Stride Under-17 girls advanced to the semifinals, shutting out three group foes before a 2-1 loss to Canada's Surrey Pegasus. And the Milwaukee Kickers' Under-16 boys team faced two interesting opponents, beating Panama's Escuela Carlos Demilio 4-1 and falling to Alaska's Fairbanks Eclipse Phoenix 1-0.
• The Elm Grove Under-15 girls lost in the semifinals of the U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships on Sunday in New Century, Kan., falling to Kentucky's SportsTutor 7-1. Coach Tim Stritesky's team tied Pennsylvania's FC Bolts Maroon 5-5 and lost to Missouri's Futura Pink Panthers Elite 8-3 in Pool A, but advanced to the semifinals on goal differential. Sports Tutor also beat Elm Grove 7-4 in pool play and 7-6 in the Midwest Regional at last month's tournament in Missouri. Futura Pink Panthers topped SportsTutor 3-1 in the final to win their fourth national title.