Elite Soccer was founded in 1998. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive soccer-based youth development organization that consistently impacts thousands of players each year.
Shortly after graduating college in the mid 1990’s, Elite Soccer founder, Mike Steele, was already working as a soccer coach and was exploring ways to become more involved in youth soccer. As a result of conversations with coaches and officials of the local soccer program in Arlington Heights, it became clear that the community was looking for more opportunities to help the players learn and grow in the game of soccer. In 1998, Elite Soccer was incorporated.
In addition to team training, during the first two years of incorporation, Elite Soccer teamed up with long-time friend and soccer teammate Brian McBride to launch “Brian McBride’s Elite Soccer Camps”. As most soccer fans know, Brian’s career blossomed and his time became limited during the summer with his MLS season and USA National Team duties. Camp officially became known as “Elite Soccer Camps”.
After several years and great support from the community, Elite Soccer increased its involvement in the Arlington Heights soccer scene. In a short amount of time the local club in Arlington Heights and its families wanted more services and soon Elite Soccer was coaching and training over 40 club teams each season, delivering preschool programs, and conducting various training programs throughout the year.
In an effort to give back to the community in a more structured environment, the Elite Soccer Community Organization (ESCO) was formed in November 2010 as the charitable arm of Elite Soccer. ESCO’s mission is to build community by developing youth through soccer in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
In 2012, Elite Soccer launched its own soccer club, Elite S.C, in order to fulfill its mission and vision. Elite strives to win, and is committed to youth development, teaching life lessons, and community building, to help develop great kids who are great soccer players. Elite Soccer brings experienced, professional, caring coaches to teach and develop soccer players from the fun, through the passion, to the demands of elite level soccer. Elite S.C. aims to be a nationally recognized model program for youth soccer development. Elite S.C. will enable your children to reach their highest levels of competition.
In a few short years, we have consistently placed teams in national and regional competitions and have travelled the United States. In 2014, the U17 Boys Premier team placed second in the prestigious National Premier League Finals in Greensboro, N.C. Elite expects more teams to follow in their foot steps.
Elite Soccer has grown from a coaching staff of three to over 40 coaches, many of whom are former local players and District 214 graduates. The staff is comprised of staff members who possess advanced soccer licenses and professional certifications in the educational, psychology, exercise physiology, and youth development fields.
Today, Elite Soccer is an organization that not only provides summer camps and training but one that is community-focused. It provides extensive year-round programming to children ages 3-23 in the northwest suburbs. Elite Soccer currently serves over 1000 players in its year-round programs and sponsors community services projects such as: Youth Leadership Shoe Drive, Relay for Life, Project Linus, Elite Soccer Parent Council Food Drive, and Rosie’s Toy collection project. Elite Soccer is dedicated to serving the local community and impacting all of those who are involved.