McBride's Academy announces its 2011 summer camps schedule

Brian McBride

McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy

CHICAGO -- This summer, take your soccer skills to the next level while learning alongside one of the most renowned U.S. Soccer forwards to play the sport -- Arlington Heights native and 17-year professional Brian McBride.

McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy announces its 2011 Summer Camps schedule, with locations in Arlington Heights (June 20-24), Glen Ellyn (July 18-22) and Lincolnshire (July 25-29). Camps are for boys and girls, ranging from 8 years old to high school-aged participants.

"I'm looking forward to this summer's academy camps," McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy President Brian McBride said. "These camps will incorporate the drill-based classes that I have, with fun shooting games and competitions throughout the week. My goal is to help make each and everyone in the camp a better attacking player, no matter what age your child is."

The two-hour, five-day sessions provide a foundation for participants to excel in the attacking side of soccer. This fun and exciting environment helps your child improve at scoring goals, and helps his or her teammates improve offensively.

"At the younger ages, we will focus on the foundation of a good attacking player, while building on those foundations for the older players," McBride said. "I will ask all players to challenge themselves, while making sure we provide a challenging and fun atmosphere. I hope to see you at one of the camps this summer."

Camp participants receive a McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy T-shirt. At the conclusion of Friday's session, the academy will have a pizza party, and parents are invited to join their kids for food and a chance to win raffle prizes.

To sign up for the academy's summer camps and for more information, visit McBridesAcademy.com, email brian@mcbridesacademy.com or call 847-577-9904.

McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy emphasizes five important tools for players: thought processing, dynamic movement, technique, heading both inside and outside the box, and pure shooting. McBride's training hones in on players understanding their roles and enhancing their skills to become complete soccer players.

McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy
Summer Camps Schedule

• Arlington Heights Summer Camps (June 20-24): Olympic Park, 660 N. Ridge Ave., in Arlington Heights, Ill. -- 9 to 11 a.m. for 10- and 11-year-olds; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for 12- to 14-year-olds and high school-aged participants. Cost: $200.

• Glen Ellyn Summer Camps (July 18-22): Ackerman Park, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn, Ill. -- 9 to 11 a.m. for 8- and 9-year-olds and 10- and 11-year-olds; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for 12- to 14-year-olds and high school-aged participants. Cost: $250.

• Lincolnshire Summer Camps (July 25-29): North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire, Ill. -- 9 to 11 a.m. for 10- and 11-year-olds; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for 12- to 14-year-olds and high school-aged participants. Cost: $250.

About McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy:
McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy is headed by 17-year professional soccer player and Arlington Heights native Brian McBride. McBride had an illustrious career that spanned across Premier League clubs Fulham and Everton, Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew, and included three World Cups for the U.S. National Team. For more information about McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy, visit McBridesAcademy.com, email brian@mcbridesacademy.com or call 847-577-9904.

Pace slows, Fire manage draw vs. Dallas

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire dug themselves into a bit of a hole, but a Brian McBride goal allowed the Fire to salvage a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on Thursday night in MLS action in front of a crowd of 12,552 at Toyota Park.

If the Fire's busy May schedule has taken its toll, Thursday showed some indications that there were some heavy legs on the Chicago side. The pace of the second half slowed down quite a bit Thursday.

"The first half was pretty lively. The second half, fatigue set in," Fire midfielder Justin Mapp said. "It's a lot of minutes for a lot of these guys. It's no excuse, but a little fatigue in the last 10 to 15 [minutes]."

For more, visit ESPNChicago.com.

Fire settle for 2-2 draw against K.C.

The Chicago Fire capitalized early in both halves, taking a 2-0 lead, but they could not hang on as the Kansas City Wizards pulled off a 2-2 draw Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City.

Wizards forward Kei Kamara netted two second-half goals in the 50th and 89th minutes, and Chicago (2-4-2) had to settle for one point on the road instead of three.

"Toward the end, they threw a lot of bodies forward, causing a lot of motion in the box, and they were able to sneak one through," Fire forward Brian McBride said.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Husidic strikes, but Fire draw against Chivas

Libertyville native and Chicago Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic netted his second goal in as many games, but Chicago had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on Saturday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

"He's having a good performance throughout these two matches," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "He's becoming one of the top members of the team."

You can read more from this match at ESPNChicago.com.

NOV. 2 SOCCER LINKS

My recent posts on ESPNChicago.com:

• Brian McBride (pictured right) among three finalists for MLS Comeback Player of the Year

• Can the Fire make up their one-goal playoff deficit this Saturday?

PREVIEW: FIRE AT REAL SALT LAKE

Following 2-week break, Chicago a bit healthier heading into Rio Tinto

Good health is a relative term for the Chicago Fire these days. A two-week break definitely provided some necessary healing, but there still is a long way to go as Chicago visits Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium (8 p.m. CST start, televised on Fox Soccer Channel).

Center defensive back Wilman Conde could be in the starting lineup as he continues to play through hamstring problems. And then there is the speedy recovery process of target man Brian McBride (pictured).

McBride no longer is on the injury report following shoulder surgery and he is in full practice mode. Whether Fire head coach Denis Hamlett brings McBride in remains to be seen.

The disappointing statistic is that McBride still is the team leader with six goals, an obvious sign that Chicago (10-6-8) has had its share of scoring setbacks. The Fire have been shut out twice in the past three games.

And yet this game could be an opportune moment to stay on the Columbus Crew's heels, or even surpass them in the race for first in the Eastern Conference.

Columbus leads with 39 points and Chicago is right behind with 38, though the Fire have played 24 games to the Crew's 23. The Crew have a daunting task this weekend, though, when they host the Western Conference-leading Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

The Fire's concern clearly rests on Real Salt Lake (9-9-6), which has posted back-to-back shutout victories against Chivas USA and the Kansas City Wizards.

The Fire still have a large defensive crew missing (Gonzalo Segares, Daniel Woolard and Tim Ward), and heading into Saturday, that Chicago defensive line and goalkeeper Jon Busch will be tested quite often against a Real offense that generates a bunch of shots. RSL has outscored its opponents 28-10 at home, leading to a 7-1-4 record at Rio Tinto.

The Fire are road warriors this season at 6-2-4, but playing in the thin air, still battling some shorthanded setbacks defensively and Real's home dominance could all certainly play huge factors against Chicago in this one. Real Salt Lake 2, Chicago Fire 1

PREVIEW: FIRE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

CLICK HERE for my Week 19 Examiner.com MLS Preview, which leads with the Chicago Fire-Seattle Sounders FC showdown. The match takes place at 2 p.m. (CST) Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle. The game is televised on ESPN.

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Fire adjust offensively to fill McBride's scoring void

The Chicago Fire are 1-for-1 so far without veteran forward Brian McBride, who is out several months with a right shoulder injury. Chicago posted a 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last week, and the final 10 minutes were a positive sign heading into this weekend's road game against Seattle.

With a target man out of the lineup, however, the Fire's attack obviously has to make some adjustments.

"We'll have to knock the ball around a little bit more, and some of the long balls that we hit have to be more to the corners instead of more central to (where McBride attacks)," Fire midfielder and forward Chris Rolfe said.

Rolfe (pictured) has had an interesting season that has ranged from becoming one of the first players off the bench in the early part of the season, to midfield play, and several opportunities returning to the forward role he has been more used to in his career. Coach Denis Hamlett has utilized Rolfe's versatility, and Rolfe was excited to get the chance to push forward last week.

"Tonight it was awesome playing that role," Rolfe said. "It's just a quick change in mind-set. You've got to change a little bit of your thinking on your runs, what you can do on the ball in different areas on the field. It felt great."

Forward Patrick Nyarko (pictured left) has showcased some strong flashes of quickness and sure-footed maneuvers. Nyarko tallied the game-winning goal against San Jose, and he knows that he needs to supply some finishing power that McBride established early on in the season. But obviously in his own methodical style.

"(Brian's) an integral part. He's a big guy, he's strong, and he scores goals," Nyarko said. "That's what he does. ... There's no way I can match Brian McBride. I bring a little bit more pace, and it's just a matter of getting a little bit closer to what Brian does on the field."

The word "depth" has been thrown around all season. And on both ends of the field, this team has felt more than comfortable saying that if there are some key absences, just about anyone can fill the void.

"From Day 1, right from preseason, I knew this team had depth, and that anything we put out there, we feel like we can win any game," Nyarko said. "It's unfortunate for Brian to go down. I feel like we have a better chance of winning with him in there. And we're left a little bit shorthanded. But then we feel like we have a deep team and anyone can step up on any single day."

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Pause reflects on Gold Cup experience, semifinal victory

On Thursday, Fire midfielder Logan Pause was at Soldier Field as the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Honduras, 2-0, to win their semifinal match in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The U.S. MNT advanced to Sunday's final against Mexico.

Pause's stint with the team has been a huge success, and the journey now reaches the final, which starts at 2 p.m. (CST) Sunday and is televised on Fox Soccer Channel. Here are a few comments he had following the match:

• "It was exciting, obviously. Getting the result was huge. I'm looking forward to Sunday. Anytime you get a chance to play at home, it's wonderful."

• "I think we were confident in ourselves. We knew that it was going to be a much different, tougher game than the third game (of the tournament). We put a lot into it. We were concentrating on that. We focused on ourselves. We just felt like if we played well and did the little things right that we would come out on top."

• "It was a great, great effort, starting with Troy (Perkins) in goal, making some huge saves, especially in the latter part of the game. Our back line was phenomenal. I think it started up top with Brian (Ching) and Davy (Arnaud) working their tales off up top and it just trickled all the way down to the back."

• "Anytime you put yourself with a chance to win a cup, that's what it's about. That's what this group and the national team has been working so hard for for a long time. It's good to get the opportunity."

• "Anytime you get an opportunity like that, to wear the jersey of the national team, you take honor in it. It's a privilege. Coming into it, I just looked at it as that - an opportunity to come. I tried to stay within myself and play my role and do what I can to help the team, similar to my other job here in Chicago."

FIRE'S MCBRIDE POSSIBLY OUT FOR SEASON

CLICK HERE for my Examiner.com piece about Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride, who had surgery Friday to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. McBride is expected to miss three or four months, not the 4-6 weeks that the Fire medical staff originally anticipated.

• PREVIEW: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES AT CHICAGO FIRE

With McBride out, Chicago's depth comes to the forefront

The Chicago Fire announced that forward Brian McBride had surgery Friday to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. McBride could miss the remainder of the Major League Soccer season.

Eastern Conference-leading Chicago (6-3-7) plays its first stint without McBride on Saturday when the Fire host the San Jose Earthquakes (3-9-4) at 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Park (televised on My50).

Patrick Nyarko has been playing off the bench of late and is likely to see regular playing time with McBride out. There also is the option of pushing up midfielder Chris Rolfe. Forward Calen Carr also is working his way back into the fold.

Earlier this season, Chicago played host San Jose to a 3-all draw. Rolfe came through with an 85th-minute goal to salvage the tie.

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SlideTackles.net prediction: It is a good thing that Hamlett has had SuperLiga a U.S. Open Cup match and an occasional MLS game here and there to work in some of the other players. Not only is Chicago without its leading goal scorer in McBride. But defender Gonzalo Segares and midfielder Logan Pause are playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. And defenders Wilman Conde and Brandon Prideaux have had hamstring injuries.

The Quakes beat the Houston Dynamo near the start of the season, a 3-2 victory that almost looks like a typo at this stage of their season. This isn't a team to take lightly, though, especially since San Jose was just minutes from topping Chicago earlier this season. Ryan Johnson has six goals, Arturo Alvarez is versatile and veteran goalkeeper Joe Cannon is still capable of coming up with big saves.

Chicago has yet to figure things out at home with its 1-2-4 Toyota Park record and five goals. Fire fans are anxious to get a second home win, and as long as you're in first place, you have to figure this team is more than capable of switching the tone at home. Chicago Fire 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

* * *

• HUSIDIC GETS STARTING NOD

Libertyville native, UIC standout earning his wings in 1st season

Chicago Fire rookie midfielder Baggio Husidic knew he would have to prove himself to earn some playing time, especially on a squad that has some depth. The Libertyville native and University of Illinois-Chicago standout has gotten that chance of late with his first two Major League Soccer starts against Colorado Rapids on July 4 and the Columbus Crew on July 11.

In his first start against Colorado, he also posted his first MLS assist on a Marco Pappa goal as the Fire won, 2-1. In these early stages, Husidic seems to be making an impression.

"I thought he was good," Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said following the Fire's scoreless draw against Columbus. "I thought in the first half he got himself in good spots in the final third. I just didn't think we saw him. We ended up probably running with the ball too long instead of making the early pass."

Husidic also got the start during Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in the SuperLiga semifinals. His standout moment in the game came in the 26th minute when Fire defender Daniel Woolard provided a cross from the left side. Husidic made a strong run in the middle of the field, but his header went over the crossbar.

Those moments will improve over time, and with injuries and numerous players participating in non-MLS tournaments, Husidic will continue getting those chances.

"I think it's nice, especially early on in my career, to get opportunities to play and get confidence," Husidic said. "That's pretty much all it is, is just getting game experience. And right now I'm getting that, which is good. So hopefully I'll get more and more coming in the future."

PREVIEW: COLUMBUS CREW AT FIRE

Can Chicago turn its 1-2-3 home record around?

• Preview: Rather than repeat all of my thoughts, CLICK HERE for the Chicago Fire-Columbus Crew section of my Week 17 MLS preview at Examiner.com.

• Game time: 7 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park (televised on ESPN2)

• Fire injuries/absences: Defender Brandon Prideaux (out with hamstring strain); defender Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica, Gold Cup); defender Logan Pause (U.S., Gold Cup)

• Key stat/fact: Former Columbus Crew forward Brian McBride's last MLS goal was May 16 against Toronto FC. He led MLS with his sixth tally but has been stuck there ever since.

FIRE 3, CHIVAS USA 2

Blanco’s 2 PKs, Nyarko’s game-tying goal sink host Chivas

Was it a push or wasn’t it a push? Brian McBride sold it, and that’s all that mattered for the Chicago Fire. On the road, whether it’s conventional, or panicky, or lucky, a win is a win. And they did it on the home grounds of the top point leaders in Major League Soccer.

The Fire scored two goals late in the second half and defeated Western Conference-leading Chivas USA, 3-2, on Thursday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored two penalty kicks - one in stoppage time in the second half - and Patrick Nyarko contributed a game-tying goal as the undefeated Fire improved to 5-0-6 and 21 points to extend their Eastern Conference lead. Chivas USA (7-2-3, 24 points) lost for the first time at home this season.

In the closing moments, McBride drew a foul from Mariano Trujillo. Replays showed there might have been some minimal contact. In any event, Blanco took the PK for the second time past Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton for the victory, capping off a perfect 3-0 road trip. Blanco now joins the Mexican National Team in preparation for training for a World Cup qualifier and will not be available Sunday when the Fire host FC Dallas at Toyota Park.

Blanco’s other PK came in the 25th minute. Before netting the goal, Wilman Conde’s jersey was pulled by Chivas defender Shavar Thomas on a ruling that was assisted by the sideline referee.

The turning point of the match was when Chivas midfielder Jesse Marsch was called for a second yellow card in the 63rd minute. Chivas had a 2-1 lead at that point and actually continued to find some chances to add to the lead.

But in the 89th minute, Chicago came up big with two of their second-half substitutes. Midfielder Justin Mapp played a ball from the left side that ricocheted off of Shavar Thomas and went through to Nyarko, who netted the game-tying goal past Thornton.

The Fire’s offensive efforts erased some lackluster defensive moments in the first half that allowed Chivas to take a 2-1 lead into the half. In the 16th minute, Paulo Nagamura had space to work with and made a deep, right-footed strike that tailed slightly away from Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch’s left, but was plausible to make a save. In the 35th minute, Fire defender Bakary Soumare was called for a trip against Maykel Galindo. And in the 37th minute, Galindo took the PK for a 2-1 lead.

* * *

Next up: The Fire return to Toyota Park for the first time since May 9 when they host FC Dallas at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31. The game is televised on My50.

* * *

SlideTackles.net thoughts: Chicago pulled a magic rabbit out of a hat and everything worked in the Fire’s favor when it looked like they were in line for their first defeat of the season.

For most of the game, Chivas defended the likes of McBride and Chris Rolfe quite well, limiting their touches. And on the Fire defense, they started to fall back into some isolated mistakes or shortcomings in marking that nearly cost them as a whole. They gave up too much space for Nagamura’s deep strike, and Busch knows he probably should have stopped the shot, too. Then there was Soumare’s decision to lunge at Galindo resulting in a penalty. It was not necessary because he had some good help to his right from John Thorrington.

All that said, the Fire pressed on, and credit head coach Denis Hamlett with making some key substitutions in Nyarko and Mapp for Tim Ward and Marco Pappa, respectively. Libertyville native and UIC product Baggio Husidic made his debut and made a good run in the 87th minute, just before Nyarko’s game-tying heroics.

The Fire should be in decent shape for Sunday’s game against Dallas, despite the absence of Blanco. The PK attempts were clutch, and he made a couple of passes late in the game that were on cue. But beforehand, his passing was sub par and his field vision was off the mark. Mapp can definitely play more of a role against Dallas.