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Amongst the wreckage of an absolutely devastating US Open Cup semifinal loss, a glimmer of hope appeared today: The Fire Academy has had three players called up for the US Under-18 team for 21st International Tournament of Vaclav Jezek in the Czech Republic, taking place from today until the 24th of August.
Collin Fernandez is likely the most familiar to the CF97 faithful, as he was recently rumored to be close to inking a Homegrown contract with the Fire. The attacking midfielder, now barely 17, was named the MVP for the U-16 Great Lakes region of the Development Academy. He hails from Downer's Grove, where he is a senior in high school. For what it's worth, TopDrawerSoccer rates Fernandez the No. 4 prospect in the Midwest and the No. 7 midfielder nationally.
Cameron Lindley may be the most highly sought after player in the Fire Academy. The 16-year-old hails from Carmel, Indiana, and is considered the top professional prospect in the midwest in his age group. Lindley has already verbally committed to play college soccer at North Carolina.
Mauricio Pineda is the final member of the three-man group, and is probably best known (at this point) as "Victor's little brother." Little, in this case, refers to age, not size, as Mauricio is a rangy defender who's rated the No. 5 prospect in the midwest and 18th defender overall.