News Article

The Kentucky Fire Juniors participated in the Charleston Battery Cup February 15-17, 2013 with a team consisting of our KFJ u13 Premier team, in addition to our KFJ u12  and u11 Premier boys teams for this trip. It was a great weekend of soccer where our KFJ players were, at times, very competitive and at times out- matched.  In the end it was a wonderful experience and a great weekend filled with top level soccer in each age group.  The KFJ boys team stayed at the same hotel all weekend with the Chicago Fire First Team, adding to the overall experience of participating in this event.  Our KFJ players were able to view the private training sessions of the Chicago Fire First Team, who are currently wrapping up their pre-season training.  Saturday evening, February 16th, KFJ Players and Coaches were able to attend the MLS double-header, featuring the Chicago Fire versus the Houston Dynamo and the Vancouver Whitecaps versus the Charleston Battery.  The facility is the first soccer ONLY stadium built in our country and it did not disappoint.  Austin Berry, former University of Louisville product and the reigning 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year, was very gracious all weekend and always made time for the KFJ boys.  Our intention going forward is to make this a regular trip for our club beginning in 2014, and we hope to bring as many KFJ teams as possible.  This is an event we would not have qualified to participate in formally as the "MVSC Select Program", and because of our relationship with the Chicago Fire, we were able to participate in a high-level event.  This event not only challenged our players, but also help expose them to some of the region's top competition, as well as being exposed to the MLS First Team that KFJ is affiliated with: The Chicago Fire. Thanks to all the parents of the players who were able to attend, this was a wonderful trip and the boys will have long lasting memories says, Coach Ted Nichols.