EVENTS: Pre-Academy Takes on stl & FL // select preps for events
Pre-Academy Red Boys Travel to ESPN Wide World Of Sports to Compete in National League
Our 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003 Pre Academy Boys Traveled to Orlando, FL to compete in the National League in December. All teams showed very well in their first event of the season against the top clubs in the country. FCU is the only club in Illinois that has teams representing the 2006, 2005, 2004, AND 2003 Age Groups on the National Stage of United States Youth Soccer. Teams will be traveling to Tampa, FL in the upcoming weeks for their next round of games in the National League.
FC United Boys Teams Travel to St. Louis for College Showcase
Our 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 Pre-Academy Teams recently traveled to St. Louis for the Lou Fusz Winter College Showcase. This proved beneficial with many players being approached and contacted by College Coaches following this successful event. Well done to all the teams who competed in the Winter College Showcase with many teams finishing top of their respective brackets!
FC United Select Teams Prepare for Spring Season
Many of our FC United Select Teams competed and showed well to start off their Winter Season at The Gobbler small-sided event. This was a fun, competitive environment in a small-sided setting that allowed our players to increase the amount of touches they have throughout a game. The Select Boys are off to a great start throughout their Winter training as they continue to prepare for their quickly approaching Spring Season starting up in a few short months.
MLS NEXT: WINTER GOALS & FUTURE PLANNING
Our MLS Next Winter Training Program is off to a great start. We enter week three of our program and could not be more pleased with how the boys have returned from the Winter Break. The boys have been full of energy, focus and intensity. Please CLICK HERE to review our Winter objectives.
In addition to our Winter Training Program the MLS Next has been busy searching for the next crop of talented boys at our MLS Next ID Clinics. With over 140 boys participating in the clinics for the 2011-2008 age groups, the staff had plenty of quality to evaluate and admire. Following the completion of the two day event, the staff have selected 65 boys to return for one final evaluation before presenting offers to participate in our Academy for the 2022/23 season to those who clear the final evaluation hurdle.
Finally, we wish our 2006, 2005, and 2003/04 Academy teams luck as they make their way to Indianapolis (Jan 29th and 30th) to participate in the Indiana Fire Winter College Showcase. This event will feature two matches for each team at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana. With an incredible line-up of College Coaches in attendance, this event will present our boys a great opportunity to showcase themselves in front of a who’s who of College Programs.
MAX TOUCHES, MAX DEVELOPMENT: WINTER TRAINING IS UNDERWAY
FCU Boys Club Winter training is off to a great start with our primary focus of individual development. Training sessions are aimed to maximize touches on the ball, increase overall fitness levels, and build on our competitive mentality. Teams have been training intensely through the first three weeks of our Winter programming and the sessions are only going to get more demanding and competitive as we move into the future weeks.
TWO FCU PLAYERS NAMED ALL-AMERICAN
Tommy Zipprich (FCU Class of 2021) and James Paden (FCU Class of 2022) were recognized for being named All-Americans at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Kansas City this past week.
- Paden (Kenyon College), a member of FC United’s 2022 National Championship Team, was named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches this year.
- Zipprich (Lafayette College), a 2021 grad, received his All-American Award this year, as last year's recognition night was canceled due to Covid.
Great to see both boys together again and representing FC United on the National Level. Congratulations again Tommy and James!
isaiah goes pro!
FCU Alumn Isaiah Parker was drafted #3 by FC Dallas in the first round of the MLS Superdraft!
We are so proud of Isaiah and so happy for him and his family! We wish him the best of luck on his pro journey and can't wait to watch him on the big screen! Congrats!
bragging rights! DID YOU KNOW?
FC United won their First NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 2021. Click Here to check out this historic event in club history!
RECRUITING CORNER
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do” - Derek Jeter
Achieve Your Incredible! Check out the latest college commitments from the boys 2022 Class! Congrats Boys!
Click Here to Visit our Full List of Past & Present Chicago FCU College Commitments
Check out @chicagofcunited on Instagram for all official commitment announcements!
IVYREHAB IN ACTION
As FCU’s official physical therapy and injury prevention partner, our goal is to ensure that our athletes receive educational information to help them compete and recover at their highest levels. Check out this month’s topic from Head Athletic Trainer Simon Jiries.
BLOG TOPIC: ACL TEARS
Stop by and meet Simon when he’s on-site at Falcon Fields throughout the week. Any other injury needs? Reach out to sportsmedicine@ivyrehab.com.
SAVE THE DATE: IvyRehab Winter Seminar is February 8th at 6:30pm, covering ACL Injuries & Ankle Sprains
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
FC United College Showcase - March 5th/6th
FC United will be officially announcing our Boys College Showcase for the 2006-2003 Age Groups soon. This showcase draws in over 40 College Coaches every year and provides added exposure for players looking to continue their soccer careers at the Collegiate Level. Keep an eye out for official details soon!
Winter Virtual Seminar Series
Winter Seminar Series kicked off last night with Notre Dame Long Snapper Michael Vinson - mark calendar for the rest of our virtual seminar series in February.
Click here for all Virtual Seminar Series topics, recordings, zoom links & information.