PDL Preview

Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Great Lakes Division was the home to the PDL’s regular-season champion, the Michigan Bucks, and the PDL Champion, FC London, in 2012, with the standard of competition among the highest in the league. Just 10 points separated the second-placed team and bottom team in the division, with tightly-fought games a calling card that is likely to continue on into the new season.

Chicago Fire – Drawing strongly from the club’s academy system, the Fire finished out of the playoff berths for just the second time since 2006. The club’s new direction, however, could pay dividends soon as players returning this summer will likely take a step forward and keep the Fire in playoff contention. Among those to keep an eye on are Tyler Engel, who led SMU last season with eight goals and seven assists, while Chris Prince and other members of the club’s Super-20 team that won a championship last summer could also step into a bigger role.

Chicago Inferno – The Inferno have a new coach for their second season, with Tony Kees bringing with him experience from top youth academies at the Chicago Magic and Chicago Fire. Among the new faces set to play for the side are Jeff Gal, a former U.S. U18 international who will play for the University of Virginia this fall, and former Chicago Fire player Pari Pantazopoulos, who should bring quality to the club’s midfield.

FC London – The PDL champions after their remarkable run through the playoffs have a number of players back to defend their crown. Championship Game MVP Jordan Ayris will be back to lead the attack after scoring nine goals and adding five assists last summer, while goalkeeper Reece Richardson is also back after making 14 regular-season appearances. Other key players returning include Tyler Hemming, Martin Lange and Josh Hughes.

K-W United – No longer the Hamilton FC Rage, K-W United has a new look, and some new players for Coach Brett Mosen to work with. Among them are 6-foot-3 goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod, who joins United ahead of his freshman season at Drake this fall, and Irish midfielder Liam Collins, who arrives after playing the past two seasons with Memphis University. Among the expected returnees to the squad are William Grocott, who had three goals and five assists last summer, and defender Adam Camillo, who made 15 appearances last season.

Michigan Bucks – The Bucks fell to division rival London in the Central Conference Final last season, ending a remarkable run that not only saw the club claim the regular-season title with a record of 13-1-2, but also advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup, defeating the Chicago Fire in the third round. There are some familiar names back with the side, including 2012 Goalkeeper of the Year Adam Grinwis, Thomas Catalano, who had 12 assists a year ago, and Defender of the Year Kevin Cope. Also expected back is Anthony Grant, who led the side with seven goals last summer.

River City Rovers – The club’s best-known player, defender Andrew Farrell, is now starring for the New England Revolution in MLS, but the Rovers will hope to emulate their strong performance of a season ago that saw them earn a berth in the U.S. Open Cup this spring. Among those back with the side are defender Peter May, who had a goal and assist in 15 appearances a year ago, and Lwandiso Gonya, who had three goals in 10 appearances from midfield.

Toronto Lynx – Toronto ended the 2012 season on a five-game undefeated streak, winning its last four matches. While it came too late to earn the side a place in the playoffs, the run did provide a positive experience for some of the club’s players, including those who return to try and push the Lynx on this season. Forward James Galvani, who had eight goals last year, returns to the side, and he is joined by Leigh Viedman, who had four goals, and Aaron McKenna, who appeared in every contest, leading the team in minutes.

April 23, 2013

Minnesota United FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL) has signed former Chicago Inferno goalkeeper Peter McKeown to its 2013 professional squad.  NASL is the United States’ second division of professional soccer below Major League Soccer (MLS).  A 6-foot-6 native of Woodbury, MN, McKeown played collegiately at Chicago’s Loyola University, where he made 64 career appearances and recorded 20 shutouts, second on Loyola’s all-time list.  McKeown made 7 starts for the Inferno during the 2012 PDL season with a 1.857 GAA and recorded a shutout against the Toronto Lynx on June 1, 2012.

For more information on the North American Soccer League go to www.nasl.com

February 15, 2013

Wheaton, IL - ShowClix Online Ticket Sales and Box Office is the official event ticketing partner of Chicago Inferno.  Purchase Chicago Inferno tickets online and print your tickets at home today.  Tickets on sale now!

To view all Chicago Inferno home events and to purchase tickets online, Click Here

March 7, 2013

Chicago Inferno Press Release

Bridges FC boasts a pool of approximately 200 players from fifteen countries. Their work has contributed to five to seven Bridges FC players signing professional contracts each of the last four years.

The partnership between Chicago Inferno and Bridges FC will include, but are not limited to;

· Player identification for Inferno and Bridges FC rosters

· Combined training sessions

· Exhibition matches

· Partnerships with foreign pro clubs

· Organization of European exhibition matches

· Coaching exchange

“The partnership with Bridges FC is yet another step in our goal to develop professional players,” said Chicago Inferno president Todd Short. “I grew up watching Bret’s on-field work ethic with the Chicago Sting. He is a proven entity in my eyes as he has the first-hand professional experience that our players dream to achieve. Furthermore, Bret has a discplined program and commands the respect of his players. His coaching at Bridges FC is credited in helping the development of players like Michael Bradley and Jay DeMerit. It will be an honor to work side-by-side with Bret and his team.”

Bridges FC head coach Bret Hall remarked, "We are excited to partner with Chicago Inferno as they share the same vision and level of passion for soccer as we do at Bridges FC.  We are now united to provide and an avenue to help develop aspiring professional players in the Chicagoland area and beyond."

For more information on Bridges FC, please visit www.bridgesfc.com

USL PRO News Release

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. – Major League Soccer and USL PRO announced today a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership that will enhance the development of professional players in North America, strengthen the competition in both leagues, and establish a solid foundation for future collaboration.

For 2013, the partnership will include interleague play between USL PRO and MLS Reserve League teams, and the establishment of several exclusive team affiliations. These initial programs will immediately improve professional player development in the United States and Canada. Additional technical and commercial initiatives between the two leagues will be announced as they are finalized in the coming months.

“This partnership represents the first step in a long-term alliance between MLS and USL PRO to connect domestic professional soccer through a system that benefits player development, competition and the overall business of our sport,” MLS Executive Vice President of Player Relations & Competition Todd Durbin said. “Over the past several years, USL PRO has made great strides in restructuring in a manner that serves to complement the objectives of MLS. This is a win-win for all involved and it demonstrates our strong commitment to growing North American professional soccer at all levels.”

Each club affiliation will be customized to meet the needs of the respective teams, but all will include at least four players on long-term loan from the MLS parent club to its USL PRO affiliate. Those MLS teams with formal USL PRO affiliates will not participate in the 2013 MLS Reserve League. Neither MLS nor USL PRO clubs are required to enter into an affiliation, and specific affiliations will be announced in the coming days.

Each of the 13 USL PRO teams will compete in two interleague games against MLS Reserve teams. With the exception of Antigua, which will play both of its games at MLS Reserve teams, USL PRO teams have been paired with a single MLS team to play a home and home series. All interleague games will count in both the official USL PRO and MLS Reserve League standings. Details of the fixtures will be announced in conjunction with the forthcoming release of the official 2013 USL PRO schedule.

“USL PRO has for the past several years been the most sophisticated and competitive professional soccer league under MLS,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “This new partnership with MLS will elevate and strengthen the level of competition for domestic professional soccer while simultaneously creating a more sustainable financial model for team owners. As a result, we expect this partnership will forge a seamless system for the development of players and coaches, and promote the expansion of professional soccer into new North American markets.”

February 4, 2013

Chicago Inferno Press Release

Wheaton, IL - Chicago Inferno and Athletico Physical Therapy have entered into an agreement that has designated Athletico as the Official Provider of physical therapy and athletic training for the Chicago Inferno Soccer Club.

Athletico has facilities throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, employs over 1200 clinical and administrative staff, and offers more than 40 specialty rehabilitation, outreach, and fitness services. Athletico’s team of specialists includes physical and occupational therapists, certified athletic trainers, personal trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, and massage therapists.

Athletico provides athletic training, physical and occupational therapy, and fitness services to over 150 affiliations including high schools, colleges, and many of Chicago’s professional sports teams.

“We’re proud of our corporate partnerships and excited to add the Chicago Inferno Soccer Club to our list of affiliates,” says Athletico Director of Athletic Training Services Jason Bannack. “We have dedicated athletic training staff eager to work with the players to keep them healthy and achieve on-field success.”

The partnership includes marketing exposure for Athletico at Chicago Inferno matches and tournaments as well as digital media support throughout the Chicago Inferno PDL season.  Additionally, Athletico will provide comprehensive services for Chicago Inferno players and staff.

Chicago Inferno Press Release

Chicago, IL - Chicago Inferno is pleased to announce the return of the University of Portsmouth (United Kingdom) for an international friendly to be held on June 29, 2013.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM CT at Wheaton College.

The University of Portsmouth Football Club has one of the largest soccer programs in the British Universities and Colleges Football league, consisting of:

• Six men’s teams and two women’s competing in the University League
• Saturday team competing at step 7 of the national pyramid in the Hampshire Premier League
• Two women’s teams competing in the Sunday League with the first team competiting at step 3 (the highest placed University weekend team in the country)
• Four teams competing in the University intra-mural league
• A comprehensive boys and girls junior travel program