The Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition will be awarded to an Illinois Youth Soccer Member Competitive Club that promotes Illinois Youth Soccer programs, coaching education, referee development, risk management, parent education and sideline behavior.
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Wins over Tennessee SC 16 (2-1) and Boise Nationals Italia (5-0) ended group play with a very unique situation, Eclipse tied with game one opponent and defending National Champions MSC Coyotes Green, resulting in a penalty kick shootout to determine a finalist.
The 78th McGuire Cup final featured a pair of talented Under-19 Boys teams in Lehigh Valley United 93 (E-PA) and Chicago Fire Academy . The game got off to a quick start, with each team coming within inches of taking the lead. In the early minutes of the game, LVU had a shot roll across the turf before striking the right post and staying out of the goal. Chicago was just as unlucky, as a strike from outside the box beat a diving Logan Keys, but it too hit the post to keep the game scoreless. LVU managed to take the lead when Shane Campbell made a run to the back post and headed in a cross to put his side up, 1-0. Chicago pressured the Pennsylvania side in search of an equalizer, and the Fire were rewarded when they earned a penalty kick with about 15 minutes remaining in the game. However, the shot went just wide to the left and LVU remained in front. Chicago couldn’t find a tying goal in the final minutes, as LVU held on to win the storied McGuire Cup as Under-19 Boys National Champions.
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Fire & IL Youth Soccer Announce New Strategic Partnership
Expanded Partnership Is First Of Its Kind Between MLS Club & US Youth Soccer State Association
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club and Illinois Youth Soccer Association have announced a long-term strategic partnership to support the growth of grassroots soccer throughout Illinois. Through a variety of collaborative programs and educational initiatives, both the Fire and Illinois Youth Soccer will work together to positively impact every level of youth soccer within the area. “From the youth levels on up to the professional ranks, we have a responsibility to grow the game of soccer in Illinois,” said Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla. “A key component of this growth is the continued development of the youth game, and Illinois Youth Soccer does a tremendous job engaging thousands of players, coaches, and referees each year. Together through our new partnership, we will align our collective efforts and resources to elevate the overall youth experience.” One of the largest youth sports organizations in the state, Illinois Youth Soccer currently reaches over 75,000 players, 10,000 coaches and 5,000 referees through its development programs. Serving the Illinois community since 1975, Illinois Youth Soccer focuses on the development of players at all levels: recreational, competitive, and Olympic development. The organization will now look to enhance its player development programs through the new partnership with the Fire. “The Chicago Fire are an important presence in the soccer community and critical to the development of the sport,” said Illinois Youth Soccer President Gus Bender. “Our new initiatives will benefit our members by enhancing coaching education and player development throughout Illinois. We look forward to working together to inspire the next generation of players.” The partnership between Fire and Illinois Youth Soccer will consist of several new joint initiatives. Beginning this summer, the Fire will serve as the Official Recreational Camp Provider for Illinois Youth Soccer and will host the 2014 Illinois Soccer Expo at Toyota Park on August 9. The Fire and Illinois Youth Soccer will also collaborate on new opportunities through the Club’s “Soccer in the Community” initiative that supports the continued education and development of players, coaches and referees throughout Illinois. Soccer in the Community, which includes free clinics and other grassroots programs, will be extended to over 82 recreational leagues, ensuring the Fire and Illinois Youth Soccer are at the forefront of the next generation’s soccer experience. As the Fire continue to see success from the Illinois Youth Soccer talent pool, especially after products such as Harrison Shipp, Chris Ritter and Victor Pineda have made their way to the Fire’s first team, the Club looks forward to working with the organization to further enhance the technical curriculum of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and groom more local players for successful professional careers. For more information regarding the joint programs and initiatives, visit www.chicago-fire.com.
Chicago Fire Directors Of Coaching Pass
Directors Of Coaching Of Illinois Youth Soccer Affiliated Club Get Free Season Tickets
Directors of Coaching for clubs that participate in Illinois Youth Soccer affiliated competitive leagues (Central Illinois Youth Soccer League, Illowa, Illinois Women's Soccer League, Southern Illinois Youth Soccer Leauge and Young Sportsmen's Soccer League) and member recreational leagues receive 2 complimentary to all Chicago Fire home matches this year. To get the free tickets you MUST be the Director Of Coaching for your organization.
Spring 2014 State Cup/Presidents Cup
Results As Of 4/24
The Illinois State Cup is the most prestigious tournament in Illinois and the official state championship tournament of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The Sports Authority Presidents Cup is part of the nation-wide US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup, a national tournament that provides Under 13 – 17 teams an alternative opportunity to advance and compete against teams from across the country in the regional and national competition.
CHANGES EFFECTIVE FOR SPRING 2014.
IMPORTANT DATES
Complete Chipotle State Cup details and common questions Complete Sports Authority Presidents Cup details and common questions
Ela Earns 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition
Becomes 1st To Earn New Award
Just two weeks after revealing their new Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition, Illinois Youth Soccer is pleased to announce the first recipient of the prestigious award, ELA SOCCER CLUB. Not only is Ela the first club to receive this recognition, they also are the first organization to have earned both the Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition AND the US Youth Soccer Region II 5-Star Recreational Program Recognition for their recreational program. “We are continually working hard to improve all aspects of our program and this recognition emphasizes these efforts and demonstrates our commitment to every aspect of development, safety and education,” Jackie Marais, Ela Executive Director said. “We are very proud and honored to be the first club to receive this recognition and our exceptional staff and coaches will continue to work hard to instill the love of the game in all players and maintain the high standards we set for our club.” “I’m not surprised. Ela Soccer Club knows how to do things right, “ said Illinois Youth Soccer’s Executive Director Mary Jane Bender. “Their board, administrators and coaches work very hard to provide the best possible experience for the children in their program. They hire quality staff, they support coaching education and player development, they invest in good programming, they involve their parents, they maintain high standards and they provide a safe playing environment.” Located in Lake Zurich, Ela Soccer Club has competitive programs for boys and girls from ages 8 to 19 . Ela provides the opportunity for players to learn and play highly skilled soccer in a supportive and challenging environment. For teams U13 and above, their Ela Elite program offers more focused and rigorous trainings with a more comprehensive travel schedule. The U15-U18 Elite teams participate in major national tournaments and state-wide competitions. Five Ela Elite teams were selected to participate in this spring’s Illinois Youth Soccer’s State Premiership Division. Three Ela teams competed last fall including their U16 Illinois Girls Premiership Champion. Ela Soccer Club boys teams participate in the Young Sportsmen’s Soccer League (YSSL) and their girls teams play in the Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL). To earn the 5-Star Competitive Club recognition, Ela met all of the requirements showcasing their dedication both on and off the field. The 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition requirements are:
All of the Club’s competitive teams/players and recreational program teams/players, with the exception of the Club’s US Soccer Academy primary teams that are excluded from participating in any other program, must be registered with an Illinois Youth Soccer member league. The Club must actively support Illinois Youth Soccer programs and encourage their players to participate in the Illinois Olympic Development Program. The Club must place Illinois Youth Soccer logo and link on its website. Coaching Education All the Club’s competitive coaches must have the following US Soccer Federation licenses:
Referee Development All referees including assistant referees that the Club assigns must have a US Soccer license. Risk Management The Club must meet all of the following Illinois Youth Soccer risk management criteria:
Parent Education and Sideline Behavior The Club must certify and document that it has a parent behavior program in place. For more details on the Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Club Recognition click here.
What's Kickin'
New Weekly Blog Of Illinois Youth Soccer
5-Star Competitive Club Recognition
New Award Will Acknowledge Top Clubs
Illinois Youth Soccer will recognize the 5-Star award recipient on its website and publications and provide the 5-Star Competitive Club Recognition medallion for display on the recipient’s website and publications. Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Competitive Club Application Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Competitive Club Criteria Illinois Youth Soccer Membership & Support The Club must actively support Illinois Youth Soccer programs and encourage their players to participate in the Illinois Olympic Development Program. The Club must place Illinois Youth Soccer logo and link on its website free of charge to IYSA. Coaching Education
Referee Development All referees including assistant referees that the Club assigns must have a US Soccer license. Risk Management The Club must meet all of the following Illinois Youth Soccer risk management criteria:
Parent Education and Sideline Behavior Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Club Recognition Benefits A Club that earns the prestigious Illinois Youth Soccer 5-Star Club Recognition will receive the following benefits from Illinois Youth Soccer:
Chicago Beach Soccer Registration
Sign-Up Now For July 12 Event
The Chicago Beach Soccer Tournament will be held July 12, 2014 at Montrose Beach, don’t confuse our long-standing event with similar sand soccer events.The Chicago Beach Soccer Festival enters its 14th year as one of North America’s largest Beach Soccer tournaments. Registration is open until June 21 or once the 120 max team limit is reached, whichever occurs first. Register early so you don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind event in Illinois. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Changes for the 2014 Event
What is the format? What is the cost? Can my dad or mom act as the coach? To submit the background check,
I am playing in the U19 division and am 18 years old, can I act as coach for my team?
Fall 2014 Chipotle State Cup & Sports Authority Presidents Cup Registration
U15-U18 Girls Teams To Compete In Fall
The Illinois State Cup is the most prestigious tournament in Illinois and the official state championship tournament of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The Sports Authority Presidents Cup is part of the nation-wide US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup, a national tournament that provides Under 13 – 17 teams an alternative opportunity to advance and compete against teams from across the country in the regional and national competition. REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL TOURNAMENTS IS NOW OPEN (CLICK HERE) All U13-U19 teams will pay a $400 upon registration, $250 registration fee and $150 round-robin fee. Any team that does not advance to the round-robin portion of the tournament will be refunded the $150 round-robin fee by Illinois Youth Soccer. Teams must be registered with an Illinois Youth Soccer competitive member league. All players and coaches must have a valid pass from an Illinois Youth Soccer member league. Teams play single elimination games (Open Cup) until group play is reached (no earlier than Round of 16). Eight (8) teams will be considered for seeding from the previous year’s competitions directly into the Illinois State Cup competitions. Four (4) teams will be considered for seeding from the previous year's competitions directly into the Illinois Presidents Cup competitions. IMPORTANT DATES
Complete Chipotle State Cup details and common questions Complete Sports Authority Presidents Cup details and common questions
2014 Soccer Expo and Chicago FireFest
August 9 at Toyota Park
The 2014 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo and Chicago FireFest is moving to Toyota Park. The bigger and better event will be held on Saturday, August 9. As always admission is free. More details to come.
ODP Championships
1997 Girls, 1998 Boys & 1998 Girls Fall Short In Their Title Quests
The Championships for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program spotlight the future stars of United States soccer. State teams first compete in a regional event to determine which teams will vie for the top spot in the nation. Three Illinois State Select Teams will competee for the National title in February at The Reach 11 Soccer Complex in Phoenix, AZ. The 1997 Girls advanced to the National championship match, losing to Cal South 3-0 and finishing as 1997 National Finalists. 1997 Girls Illinois State Select Team In a hard fought match, the 1998 Boys and Cal South went the full-90 plus overtime without a winner so penalty kicks from the mark were needed to determine which team would advance to the National Chamionship. Unfortunately the team from the Land of Lincoln fell short in the PK shootout. 1998 Boys Illinois State Select Team An opening round loss to Cal South knocked the 1998 Girls out of contention for a National title. 1998 Girls Illinois State Select Team
Spring 2014 State Premiership Division
84 Teams From 40 Top Clubs From Throughout The State Compete
 Illinois Youth Soccer started the State Premiership Division in Spring 2013 with support from our competitive member leagues. This exclusive competition was designed to give elite teams that are registered with Illinois Youth Soccer competitive member leagues (Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL), Young Sportsmen’s Soccer League (YSSL), Central Illinois Youth Soccer League (CIYSL), Southern Illinois Soccer League (SISL), and ILLOWA) an opportunity to compete against the other top teams in the state. Since its inception in 2013, SPD teams include: 38 MRL Teams, 5 MRL Champions, 2 State Cup Champions, 2 State Cup Finalists, 5 State Cup Semifinalists and 9 State Cup Quarterfinalists.
In Spring 2014, the State Premiership expanded to two division, Chicagoland & Central/Southern Illinois and include 84 teams from 40 of the top clubs in the state.
Wintrust Becomes Illinois Youth Soccer Sponsor
Named Official Bank
The Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) is excited to announce that Wintrust and its Community Banks have become sponsors of Illinois’ largest youth soccer organization and are the Official Banks of the IYSA. “We are very excited to add the Wintrust Community Bank as a sponsor of Illinois Youth Soccer,” said Mary Jane Bender, Illinois Youth Soccer Executive Director. “We only partner with companies that provide quality products and services and are at the top of their industry. We are also very grateful to our local Wintrust Community Bank, Village Bank & Trust of Arlington Heights, for supporting community outreach soccer events for our inner city children.” Because of their commitment to Illinois Youth Soccer and it’s 74,000 players, the Illinois Youth Soccer Illinois Cup will be renamed the Wintrust Community Banks Illinois Cup beginning in Spring 2014. There are currently more than 120 Wintrust Community Bank locations throughout Northern Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Southern Wisconsin. While part of the Wintrust family of community banks, each individual bank is locally managed and locally focused, with their employees and bank management heavily invested in community activities and service. “We chose to partner with Illinois Youth Soccer because of the positive impact this program has on the youth of the communities we collectively serve,” stated Matthew Doubleday, Senior Vice President of Wintrust Marketing. “We’re honored to be the official banks of Illinois Youth Soccer.” For more details about Illinois Youth Soccer and all of our sponsors, please visit www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org. To find your local Wintrust Community Bank, please visit http://www.wintrust.com/find-us. About Wintrust Financial - Wintrust is a financial holding company with assets of approximately $18 billion whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Built on the "HAVE IT ALL" model, Wintrust offers the sophisticated technology and resources of a large bank while focusing on providing service-based community banking to each and every customer. Wintrust operates fifteen community bank subsidiaries, with over 115 banking locations in the greater Chicago and Milwaukee market areas. Additionally, the Company operates various non-bank subsidiaries including one of the largest commercial insurance premium finance companies operating in the United States and Canada; A company providing short-term accounts receivable financing and value-added out-sourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, companies engaging primarily in the origination and purchase of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market throughout the United States, and companies providing wealth management services. Wintrust Community Banks are Members FDIC and Equal Housing Lenders.
State Cup & Presidents Cup Fall Champions
FC United, NSA Premier Jaguars, Windy City Pride, Warren United Blazers, Ela Elite & Hawthorn Woods Elite Earn Spots For Midwest Championships & Midwest Presidents Cup
The Fall 2013 Chipotle State Cup & Sports Authority Presidents Cup has concluded with seven teams in the U15-U18 age groups earning spots in either the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships or the US Youth Soccer Midwest Presidents Cup. The Regional events will be in June of 2014 and these teams should be great representative of Illinois.
PHOTOS BY TSS PHOTOGRAPHY, OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF ILLINOIS YOUTH SOCCER
Eclipse & Team Chicago Win National Championships
Nine teams from Illinois were among the 88 squads that traveled to Overland Park, KS to compete against the best teams in the country for a US Youth Soccer National Championships. Two teams from Illinois, Eclipse Elite Black and Team Chicago Academy Botafogo, proved to be the best of the best, bringing National champion hardware back to the Land of Lincoln.
After tying all three of their matches at the Midwest Regional Championship, US Youth Soccer National League qualifier, Eclipse started the National Championships in familiar fashion, drawing 1-1 with fellow National League qualifier MSC Coyotes Green. This would be the last draw of the tournament for Eclipse, but not the last tie.
The two sides had to head to kicks from the mark to break the tie in the standings and determine who would move on to the National Championship match. Eclipse keeper Angelina LoDolce saved Coyotes first shot and MSC’s second flew over the crossbar as Eclipse was perfect in their attempts to win 3-1 and move on to face Ambassadors FC in the championship match.
In the National Final, Eclipse defeated Region II champ Ambassadors FC (OH-N) in overtime to earn the Under-15 Girls National Championship. Golden Ball winner and leading scorer Sarah Krause gave Ambassadors the lead in the 15th minute off a cross from Gabrielle Lo Presti on the left flank. With just seven minutes left to play, Eclipse was able to find the equalizer when Zoe Redei scored, taking the match to overtime. The late goal energized Eclipse, and in overtime they got three more goals for a 4-1 victory. Alissa Gorzak scored the game winner for Eclipse five minutes into overtime, and Redei found her second goal after beating an Ambassadors defender to the ball and sliding it under the keeper. Gorzak also got a second goal in the match, finishing the scoring.
For the tournament Gorzak (4 goals), Foster Ignoffo (3), and Redei (3) finished in the top 10 of goal scorers in the Under-15 age group.
"Winning the National Championship was an extraordinary accomplishment for this pool of players," Rory Dames, Eclipse Head Coach said. "The players and staff set goals last August and to see those goals accomplished speaks volumes about the hard-working, dedicated, and extremely talented pool of players Eclipse Select has at this age group. Our kids worked extremely hard for 12 months to be able to call themselves National Champions."
"I will not forget the looks on our players faces when they scored the goal to tie the game, nor the celebration that took place when the game ended," continued Dames. "The physical and mental toughness of our players is remarkable and we could not be more proud of what they have accomplished this year."
Although they were US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Champions, Team Chicago earned their spot at the US Youth Soccer National Championships because of their accomplishments in the US Youth Soccer National League. The National runner-ups last year, Team Chicago started their run at Overland Park with a 2-1 victory over Lou Fusz Wipke, another US Youth Soccer National League Qualifier.
In the final group play match, Team Chicago took care of business early and often, winning 3-0 over Oklahoma FC 96 to secure a spot in the National Championship match.
In a rematch of the final game of the National League season, Team Chicago once again defeated returning champ VSA Heat Blue (VA) to seize the Under-18 Girls National Championship. The match started with an early lead for Team Chicago when Zoe Swift scored in the 11th minute, but Cassidy Mercier evened the score for VSA when she headed the ball into the net in the 49th minute off a corner kick, and regulation ended 1-1 to force overtime. In the extra period, Zoe Swift stepped up for Team Chicago again, delivering the game winner and the national title for Botafogo.
"It’s obviously a fantastic feeling to win a U18 National Championship," said Phil Nielsen, Team Chicago Head Coach. "It’s the perfect culmination on an amazing youth career for these players. In the very last youth game before embarking on their college careers they got to play at the biggest stage and emerge victoriously.
"As one of my players tweeted late Sunday night: ’Today was so bittersweet. But mostly sweet’. The emotional toll of saying goodbye to your best friends who happens to also be your teammates was a heavy one for players, parents, and me. Our pre-game team meeting was not about tactics and not a rah-rah "let’s win for the Gipper" speech, but rather a very tearful and emotional goodbye and reminder of how lucky we have been to play together for all these years.
"For the girls it was obviously the highlight of their careers and a validation of all their sacrifices as well as their talents," Nielsen said. "A lot of people will take notice of the Team Chicago commitment to attractive soccer with this win."
In addition to the two National champions, Illinois also had two teams finish as US Youth Soccer National Finalists.
Crystal Lake Force & SASA Spirits Win National Championship
SASA Spirits and Crystal Lake Force took slightly different paths to the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in Auburndale, FL but both left the same way, as National Champions.
Cole Barkocy, Garrett Bronn, Edgar Chavez, Dominik Chece, Carlos Duran, Remy Edstrom, Nikolas Getzinger, Andrew Grabowski, Benjamin Kassel, Alexander Kern, Cade Klusendorf, Alex Lee, Gavin Rathjen, Sean Reardon, Justin Rutherford, Kevin Winslow; Coach: Kristian Rockall
In the final Crystal Lake jumped out to a 3-0 first half lead. Cade Klusendorf notched a pair of goals (8’ and 19’) as did his teammate Nikolas Getzinger (14’). Downtown SC started to make a comeback in the second half, with goals by David Orellana (45’) and Gomez Frank Barrios (55’), but Crystal Lake’s strong defense helped maintain the 3-2 win. "The biggest feeling associated with this achievement is one of pride," Kristian Rockall, CL Force Head Coach said. "I am proud of my team and what they have accomplished, not just for themselves and for Crystal Lake FORCE, but also how well they've represented Illinois and Region 2 along the way. It's great when a local team like ours, (where all the players live within 10 miles of each other) are able to compete and experience success at the Regional and National level.
"We're thankful that the President's Cup has created a platform for teams such as ours to play on such a grand stage. The President's Cup experience has been remarkable all the way through from Rockford to Overland Park and finally Florida. The tournament is very professionally run and the organizers do a great job of making it a special experience for the players. The facilities, the fields, the officiating and the media coverage have all been excellent and certainly helped to give our team an truly amazing experience that they'll never forget." For the tournament, 4 Crystal Lake players finished in the top 10 of goal scorers: Getzinger (3), Klusendorf (3), Carlos Duran and Justin Rutherford (1)
Emma Hughes, Katie Juhlin, Boyd Kendall, Sara Kinsella, Maddie Klintworth, Sameena Koriala, Rachel Mays, Taylor Parriott, Riley Ross, Alie Smith, Carolynn Smith, Shea Sullivan, Karmen Vicari-Endres, Macy Vorreyer, Beverly Watson, Kendall Ziel; Coach: Rhett Mays
SASA opened the National Tournament with a 1-1 draw against Pennsylvania's WCUSC Predators 98. From there on SASA would go undefeated in group play, beating Platinum FC Sanchez of California South and Florida's Cape Coral Cyclones en route to a rematch against the Predators in the National Finals.
In the championship, SASA was down 1-0 in the first half, but tfound their vigor in the second half and shifted the game in their favor. Within ten minutes, Maddie Klintworth (42'), Kendall Boyd (45') and Macy Vorreyer (50') all scored to give SASA the 3-1 advantage and the win.
"The girls are very excited," said Rhett Mays, SASA Head Coach. "The President Cup was an overall positive experience. It has the feel of a national championship for smaller clubs like ours. - like 1A in high school soccer in Illinois." The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for those teams seeking additional challenges to play against teams of similar abilities for a national title. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer. The Illinois Presidents Cup for Girls U15-U17 is held in the Fall and for Boys U13-U17 and Girls U13-U14 in the Spring.
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