Chicago FC United, commonly called FC United, is an American soccer club in the Chicago metropolitan area. FC United fields youth teams for boys and girls, and a semi-professional team in USL League Two, the fourth-tier of American soccer.
 | |
| Full name | Chicago FC United |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | FC United |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Ground | Vernon Hills Athletic Complex |
| Owner | 3Step Sports |
| League | MLS Next, Girls Academy |
| Website | https://www.chicagofcunited.com/ |
Youth and Academy Programs
editChicago FC United, founded in 2003, is an elite youth soccer program located in suburban Chicago. The club also operates Trevians Soccer Club and Chicago Magic.[1] FC United youth teams play in local, regional, and national leagues, and its academy teams are founding members of Girls Academy,[2] and MLS Next.[3]
The primary home field is located at Vernon Hills Athletic Complex. FC United co-invested in 2019 with the Vernon Hills Park District to install synthetic turf on three soccer fields.[4][5] The club operates tournaments in the Chicago area, under the moniker Soccer Events Group, including the Labor Day weekend Chicago Cup.[6]
Soccer Wire, an online publication that ranks the top youth clubs in America, ranks FC United the #30 boys club as of June 2021,[7] and the #31 girls club as of September 2022.[8] In 2021, the U-19 Boys Pre-Academy Red team won the USYS National Championship.[9]
USL League Two
edit| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Bridgeview Sports Dome |
| Manager | Logan Pause |
| League | USL League Two |
In 2017, FC United added a semi-professional team in the PDL, now the USL League Two, replacing the departing Chicago Fire Premier, after the Fire decided to relinquish their ties to the PDL.[10]
Season Results
edit| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Heartland | did not qualify | 3rd Round[11] |
| 2018 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Heartland | National semifinals | did not qualify |
| 2019 | 4 | USL League Two | 1st, Great Lakes | Conference semifinals | did not qualify |
| 2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 2021 | 4 | USL League Two | 2nd, Heartland | Conference quarterfinals | did not qualify |
| 2022 | 4 | USL League Two | 1st, Heartland | Conference semifinals | 1st Round[12] |
USL Honors
edit- USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2018
- USL League Two Great Lakes Division Champions 2019
- USL League Two Heartland Division Champions 2022
Ownership
editChicago FC United is owned by 3Step Sports, a nationwide youth sports operator.
FC United was previously owned by SMP Holdings (Sports Made Personal), led by founder and CEO Chad Gruen.[13] SMP also operated Lacrosse America and Team ONE Lacrosse. Team ONE Lacrosse merged with SMP in 2011.[14]
In June 2022, SMP Holdings was acquired by 3Step Sports.[15]
References
edit- ^ "FC United and Chicago Magic Soccer Clubs announce merger of the two organizations". Chicago FC United. August 9, 2016. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Girls Academy League Members". Girls Academy League. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ mlssoccer. "MLS NEXT Members". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Vernon Hills move forward with synthetic turf for soccer fields". Daily Herald. October 17, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Group Seeks to Build Hub for Elite Soccer Players". Athletic Business. October 14, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Soccer Events Group Tournaments". Soccer Events Group. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "New No. 1 club featured for first time in SoccerWire Boys Rankings". SoccerWire. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "SoccerWire Top 100 Girls Clubs revealed for September 2022". SoccerWire. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ "FC United Wins US Youth Soccer National Championship". Illinois Youth Soccer Association. July 19, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Christie, Brett (June 29, 2017). "Local collegiate players showcase soccer skills for Chicago FC United". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results". April 12, 2017.
- ^ "Cleveland SC vs. Chicago FC United - Football Match Summary - March 22, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ "Chad Gruen LinkedIn Profile". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Playground, Lacrosse (December 19, 2011). "Sports Made Personal and Team ONE Lacrosse Merge to Create Chicagoland's Premier Lacrosse Development Company". Lacrosse Playground. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "3STEP SPORTS ACQUIRES SPORTS MADE PERSONAL - 3Step Sports". 3Step Sports - We Run Sports. June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
External links
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