Two penalty kicks lift Chicago Magic PSG to U-15/16 Academy Quarters

Chicago Magic PSG's Stephen Payne

The Chicago Magic U-15/16 team’s 2013-14 Development Academy season was on the brink. Down a goal to Kendall SC in group play at the Academy Playoffs at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, the Magic rallied with two Luka Prpa penalty kicks to earn a 2-1 victory and win Group E.

Kendall was in the driver’s seat entering the game with six points and needing a draw or a victory to win the group. The Miami-based side also had a first-half goal to its name against Chicago Magic PSG.

But the Magic showcased a string of scoring chances and had a nose for the box to draw two penalties and several other moments in the offensive third.

“We all just stuck together, kept going, and just played as a team, and it worked out great for us,” Prpa said. “In the first half they put us under pressure, and then we brought it together at halftime and we really picked it up a lot in the second half. We wanted this badly, for our coaches, for our parents, for everybody. We all wanted it.”

For more, visit ussoccer.com.

Academy Alum Shipp's Technical Prowess Benefiting Chicago Fire

Development Academy alum Harry Shipp

Chicago Fire midfielder Harry Shipp garnered some well-deserved praise following his team's 5-4 victory against the New York Red Bulls on May 10. The rookie and homegrown player tallied his first three Major League Soccer goals and he assisted the game-winner to also earn MLS Player of the Week.

Shipp is not the biggest or fastest player on the pitch, but his technical savvy and comfort with the ball more than make up for that. For the former Development Academy player for the Fire and Chicago Magic PSG (Chicago Magic AS Monaco during Shipp's tenure), these elements of the game truly shone at an early age.

"I would travel with a bunch of guys for an hour or hour and a half each way to play for the Magic and Fire," said Shipp, who hails from Lake Forest, Illinois, north of Chicago. "Those four or five times a week when we trained were important. They were competitive sessions, and for me, the technical work was incredibly important. I'm not a big or fast guy, and I was really able to get good with the ball."

For my full conversation with Harry Shipp, visit ussoccer.com.

VIDEO: RAUL DIAZ ARCE

As a follow-up to last month's announcement, Chicago Magic Soccer Club Technical Director Raul Diaz Arce was inducted into D.C. United's Hall of Tradition on Saturday. Here is a video of teammates and staff reflecting on his MLS career. An interesting note from Eddie Pope, talking about how Diaz Arce ran 5 miles before the team's training would even get underway:

MAGIC'S RAUL DIAZ ARCE TO D.C. HALL

Chicago Magic Soccer Club Technical Director Raul Diaz Arce, formerly of D.C. United, will be inducted to the MLS organization's Hall of Tradition on Sept. 12. The team made the announcement earlier this week.

Diaz Arce led D.C. to MLS Cup trophies in 1996 and '97, a U.S. Open Cup title in '96 and the Supporters' Shield trophy in '97. He scored 44 goals in 68 games for United, with the best goals-per-game average in team history.

"It is truly an honor to be inducted into the D.C. United Hall of Tradition and to join great players such as John harkes, Marco Etcheverry and Jeff Agoos," Diaz Arce said. "I have great memories of my time in D.C., and the great support I received from the fans, especially the Salvadoran community."