Natalie Massa & Paige Miller from Team Chicago Academy-Bahia and Katelyn Nardulli & Tara Tesmond from Team Chicago Academy-Vitoria represented Region II ODP at the National ODP Camp in Phoenix over the past week.

The event was for the top ODP players in each of the four regions in the 2001 and 2002 birth-years. During the event the girls did functional training, mixed group training, and played scrimmages under the watchful eyes of both U.S. Soccer National Team staff and staff from each of the four regions.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro midfielder Jessica Christmas has accepted a great scholarship offer to continue her soccer career at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Jessica, who plays her prep soccer for Head Coach Jane Crowe at Plainfield North H.S., will be part of UIC Head Coach Brian Rigby’s 2017 recruiting class.

The Flames are part of the NCAA Division I Horizon League. Jessica will follow in the footsteps of former Team Chicago players Kendall Wilde and AJ Jakuszewski.

Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro right-back Sarah Avery has accepted a great scholarship to continue her soccer career at Northern Illinois University. Sarah, who plays her prep soccer for Ed Watson at Naperville Central, will be part of NIU head coach John Ross’ 2018 recruiting class.

The Huskies are part of the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Team Chicago Academy-Vasco forward Melissa Kasper has committed to Webster University in St. Louis. Melissa, who plays her prep soccer for head coach Kelsey Champion at Oswego H.S., will be part of Webster head coach Luigi Scire’s 2016 recruiting class.

Webster is member of the NCAA Division III St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) and won the 2015 regular season championship.

Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia, Cruzeiro, and Bahia are currently in Orlando, FL participating in the premier college showcase at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

The 54 players and 2 coaches faced a bit of logistical nightmare as a number of the flights to Orlando got canceled on Monday and Tuesday. But 4 parents and the 2 coaches rented minivans and drove through the night to make sure all the players arrived in time for the important event.

For the past 2 days the teams have stayed and trained at the National Training Center in Clermont, FL. Team Chicago founder and President Emeritus – Hudson Fortune – was there to help work with the girls on finishing and technical work.

The opening games are tomorrow and here is what is facing the teams:

BRASILIA U17:

Brasilia is in 2nd place in the National League after the 4 games played in Wilson, NC earlier this month (please see write-up below). With 3 wins here at Disney the team will be secured a spot at the USYS National Championships next summer. 2 wins and a tie would probably be enough, too.

Brasilia is facing Loudoun (VA) tomorrow, Sunrise Sting (FL) on Friday, and Lou Fusz-Wipke (MO) on Saturday.

In its opening game in Wilson Brasilia faced Beadling from Pennsylvania. After being under pressure in the early stages, Brasilia went behind on a Beadling goal from the edge of the area. Showing great resolve, Brasilia dug in and eventually found the equalizer through a Sarah Griffith goal. Despite several other chances the game ended in 1-1 tie. Nicole Mondi, Ashley Santos and Jasmine Ruiz led Brasilia with outstanding performances.

In its second game Brasilia faced Kings Hammer Academy. On a goal from distance by Ashley Santos before halftime Brasilia took all three points with a 1-0 victory to leave them in second place in the group. Madison Lockard got the shutout in goal, with Makenna Schoolman, Nicole Mondi, Holly Collingbourne and Rachel Erdman helping shut down the Kings Hammer attack.

In game three Brasilia faced off against perennial powerhouse club Legends FC from Southern California. An evenly balanced game saw Legends take the lead before the halftime break on a goal from a corner kick. Brasilia continued to battle and evened the score on a goal from Sarah Griffith from a Jasmine Ruiz free kick. The game ended in a 1-1 tie that left Brasilia undefeated after three matches.

The fourth and final game of the weekend kicked off at 7:30am vs Utah club La Roca. Battling through tough field conditions Brasilia allowed only one shot on goal in the first half before turning the screw in the second half and creating several quality scoring chances. In the first minute of injury time Ashley Santos worked her way into the box for a shot, and Sarah Griffith was there to poke home the rebound as Brasilia took all three points. Another shutout for Madison Lockard, and a stifling defensive performance again from Schoolman, Mondi, Lupe Anguiano and Rachel Erdman, and great effort from everyone shut down the La Roca attack.

CRUZEIRO U16:

Cruzeiro will be facing Florida Elite tomorrow, East Islip (NY) Friday, and Pickering Power (Canada) for a spot in the Disney Showcase final on Sunday.

This is Cruzeiro’s second major college showcase this winter. At the beginning of the month, Cruzeiro traveled to Raleigh, NC for the CASL Showcase. An unfortunate 1-0 loss in the opening game against East Meadow (NY) was quickly corrected with two strong wins against Rio Rapids (NM) 2-1 and OPSA (MD) 3-1 to finish on top of the group. Sydney Rushing and Niamh Hehir got the late goals to beat Rio Rapids, and Riley O’Brien, Sydney Rushing, and Francesca Marconi got the goals in the win against OPSA.

BAHIA U15:

The Disney Showcase marks Bahia’s first participation in a major college showcase. Bahia will be facing Colorado Rush tomorrow, FC Alliance (TN) Friday, and FC Westchester (NY) on Saturday for a spot in the Disney Showcase final on Sunday.