Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire Academy players Roko Pehar and Oscar Pineda have been selected to join their respective national teams at the U-17 level.

Roko Pehar will participate with the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team during a training camp from September 1 to 8 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Georgia. The camp is led by Alex Aldaz, head coach of the U-16 Boys’ National Team. According to the announcement, "Pehar has represented the U.S. Youth National Teams at the U-14 through U-17 age levels. He joins the U-17 USMNT in a camp led by U-16 Boys’ National Team head coach Alex Aldaz that will train from Sept. 1-8 at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga. The camp is part of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship."

Oscar Pineda has been called up by Mexico’s U-17 Men’s National Team for participation in the Vaclav Jezec Tournament held in Czechia from August 30 to September 9. The team is scheduled to play against Slovakia on September 3 at Mnichovo Hradište Stadium, followed by matches against Turkey and Czechia on September 5 and September 7 respectively, both taking place at Radotín Stadium.

Pineda mainly plays for Chicago Fire's Academy U-18 side but recently made his professional debut with Chicago Fire II as a substitute during a match against Toronto FC II on March 13 at SeatGeek Stadium.

Both players continue their development within Chicago Fire FC’s academy system while gaining international experience through these national team selections.