Grazzini still hampered by hamstring

Sebastian Grazzini -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Fire midfielder Sebastian Grazzini's hamstring problems continue to persist. Heading into the Fire's home finale against the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Toyota Park, Grazzini's status could change day by day.

Grazzini netted a stoppage-time equalizer during the Fire's dramatic 2-1 come-from-behind win over D.C. United on Saturday. But on Wednesday he cut his training short because of the left hamstring injury that has plagued him off and on for nearly a month.

"He was out here earlier running, jogging, but when he tries to open up a little bit, he still feels it," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said following Wednesday's training. "We'll see how he feels. He's day-to-day."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Eclipse U-17 midfielder, Winnetka native Jenna Miller commits to Illini

Jenna Miller

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club U-17 midfielder Jenna Miller did not need another year to make her collegiate decision. Miller, a native of Winnetka, Ill., and a junior at New Trier High School, has announced her verbal commitment to play for the University of Illinois women's soccer program beginning in 2013.

"Both of my parents went there and it was always one of my top two schools," Miller said. "They showed interest in me, and it feels so nice to be able to get to the next level. That's been a goal of mine for the seven and a half years I've been with Eclipse Select. It's nice to know that a soccer team wants me to play there."

Miller will be joining an Illini program that currently is second in this season's Big Ten Conference standings and is led by long-time head coach Janet Rayfield. Not only has Rayfield achieved success at the college ranks, but she has served with the U.S. Women's National Team coaching staff, most recently assisting during the U.S.'s memorable 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup runner-up showing.

"She's really personable and easy to talk to," Miller said of Rayfield. "She laid it out there and said, 'what do you want with a soccer program?' Her practices and everything are so competitive. She will play whoever is on the top of their game, no matter the age. She doesn't stick to seniors and plays whoever competes."

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumni: W. Michigan's Brittney Pavlica earns MAC honor

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and junior forward Brittney Pavlica (Kenosha, Wis./Mary Bradford High School) netted a pair of game-winning goals and was named Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Pavlica shares this week's honor with Miami Ohio forward Katy Dolesh.

On Friday, Pavlica scored the lone goal during the Broncos' 1-0 victory over Central Michigan, handing the Chippewas their first MAC loss of the season. In the 33rd minute, Pavlica took advantage of a misplayed free kick by Central Michigan, got to the ball and flicked it over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. On Saturday, Pavlica netted the game-winner with only 1:52 remaining in double overtime to edge Eastern Michigan, 1-0.

Pavlica has four goals on the season, and all four happen to be game-winning tallies.

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

Fire's playoff hopes hang by thread

Sebastian Grazzini and Logan Pause
-- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The turn of events during the Chicago Fire's comeback win over D.C. United on Saturday brought out a supreme sense of adulation on one end, and dismay and shock on the other side.

Major League Soccer must be loving the way things have turned out heading into the final week of the regular season. Combine the Fire's late heroics and the New York Red Bulls' loss to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, and the league now has a scenario where four teams still have a mathematical hope for the final wild card spot.

"It's never over until it's over," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said after Saturday's 2-1 win over D.C. "We pushed it and brought a couple subs in that had an impact on the game. I think in the end, some special players made special plays, and when we had the chances we finished them."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire net dramatic win over D.C.

Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The elements were not in the Chicago Fire's favor.

They had three suspended starters. They were playing on the road. They were playing down a goal heading into stoppage time. And anything less than a win would have officially spelled the end to Chicago's small, but lingering, playoff hopes.

Fire midfielder Sebastian Grazzini tallied an equalizer and second-half sub Diego Chaves netted the winner three minutes into stoppage time as Chicago posted a miraculous 2-1 come-from-behind victory over D.C. United on Saturday at RFK Stadium.

"It was an incredible five minutes, first for D.C. and then finally for us," Chaves said. "It was really, really intense."

Chaves' goal was his first since April 23, when the Fire played to a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo. Chaves tallied four goals in the Fire's first six games to lead the team at the time, but he got out of his scoring funk at the right time as defender Gonzalo Segares assisted the game-winner.

"He was at the right place at the right time, and I'm glad he was there," Segares said of Chaves. "He's been working hard for a long time and I'm just happy that he got that goal. I'm sure that's going to motivate him."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire look to regroup at D.C. United

Cory Gibbs -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Now that the playoffs are more or less out of the picture, the Chicago Fire are simply looking to finish out their final two matches on a positive note.

But the Fire (7-9-16, 37 points) will be dramatically shorthanded when they face Eastern Conference foe D.C. United on Saturday at RFK Stadium.

Defenders Dan Gargan and Cory Gibbs are suspended because of yellow card accumulation, and midfielder Pavel Pardo is out because of a straight red card from Wednesday's 2-1 home loss to FC Dallas.

"We have to finish strong," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said. "Every time we have an opportunity to step on the field and train or play, it's all about improving as a team. We don't believe in excuses."

"We need to regroup and go over there in D.C. and look for the win," Fire defender Gonzalo Segares said. "[The Dallas loss is] definitely a big blow for us. We've been pushing really hard these past couple of months during the late run and it got us pretty close to being in the position in which we could have been fighting for the playoffs. But with the result [Wednesday], it's just really tough to swallow. We've got two more games to play and like every other game we've got to go out there and get a win."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Six Eclipse Select players invited to U.S. Club Soccer id2 Camp in N.J.

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Six players from the Eclipse Select Soccer Club have been invited to participate in this weekend's U.S. Club Soccer id2 Camp this weekend in New Jersey.

Eclipse Select U-15 midfielder Ann Marie Niro (Barrington, Ill.), and from the U-14s Eclipse Select midfielder Marissa Bosco (St. Charles, Ill.), forward Alissa Gorzak (Naperville, Ill.), midfielder Mikaela Niermann (Geneva, Ill.), forward Zoe Redei (Highland Park, Ill.) and midfielder Cassie Rohan (Palatine, Ill.) are all taking part in an id2 Program Training Camp, which started on Thursday and runs through Sunday at the PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J., for 1997-98 girls.

Read more at EclipseSelect.org.

Fire's Pardo wants long-term stay

Pavel Pardo -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Two games remain for the Chicago Fire, but midfielder Pavel Pardo will be limited to Chicago's home finale on Oct. 22 against the Columbus Crew. Pardo picked up a red card during the Fire's 2-1 loss to FC Dallas on Wednesday and is suspended for Saturday's match at D.C. United.

Pardo signed a six-month contract for the Fire, and on Wednesday he expressed his desire to stick with the organization for the long-term.

"Of course I'd like to come back," Pardo said. "I was talking about this situation with the people from the Fire, and they want me to be here for the next year. And I want to be here, but not for one year. I'd like to be here for more years. I've integrated with this team, the club and the fans. I'm very happy playing for the Chicago Fire."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.