Cupps, Nagle called in for U-17 World Cup Qualifiers
Chicago Fire Academy defenders Christopher Cupps and Chase Nagle have been called up to the United States squad for this month's FIFA U-17 World Cup Qualifying matches, with U.S. Soccer announcing this squad this afternoon. While both will travel to Costa Rica for the event, Nagle is officially an alternate.
Cupps, 16, has been among the stars of the Fire's first team preseason so far, playing 135 minutes across the first two exhibition matches. That included a full 90-minute outing in a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City last week. The central defender is expected to captain the U.S. across these matches.
One of the country's top defensive prospects, Cupps featured as a rotational player for Chicago Fire II last season while also appearing for the Fire U-17s. He made 15 MLS Next Pro appearances in 2024, including several starts at fullback. While primarily a left center back, Cupps can theoretically play anywhere across the back line. Nagle came up as a center back but can also play in defensive midfield or as a fullback, playing in 8 MLS Next Pro matches (5 starts).
Former Chicago Fire Academy player Gio Villa has also been called up. While he was primarily a midfielder in Chicago, he has become a fullback since leaving the Fire for the Real Salt Lake system in 2022. Other notable names on the roster include Chicago native Chase Adams (of the Columbus Crew), New York City FC homegrown Máximo Carrizo, and Philadelphia Union II forward Jamir Johnson. It's not the strongest possible team for the U.S. in this age group, as names like Cavan Sullivan, Mathis Albert, Julian Hall, Nimfasha Berchimas, and Vitaliy Hlyut are all missing for varying reasons.
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The format of the U-17 Qualifiers has changed since the last edition, as instead of a full-blown CONCACAF U-17 Championship being held, it will instead simply be eight round robins with every group winner qualifying for the World Cup. That means the U.S. will play just three games in this competition and won't get to test themselves against the region's best or fight for a trophy. The Americans were placed in a group with the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Cuba; all three matches will be held at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica, the home of Alajuelense.
Cupps' participation in the tournament means he will leave the Fire's preseason camp, but it is safe to say that he accounted for himself well during his participation. Berhalter brought the center back, as well as fellow 2008-born prospect Hlyut, with the team to Florida as an opportunity to impress in front of the first team coaches, and both did so. Cupps' stock only continues to rise in 2025 as he seeks to win a contract from the Fire organization, something he has not yet received, and captaining this star-studded U.S. team will only help him further.
Read more:
https://meninred97.com/who-will-be-the-chicago-fires-next-homegrown/
https://meninred97.com/youthful-fire-ii-make-history-even-without-big-brothers/
https://meninred97.com/u-s-way-introduced-on-road-to-2026/
