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Directors



 











 Mike Steele
Founder

Professional Experience:
Mike has over 20 years of coaching experience and has been actively involved in youth, high school, and college soccer.  Mike spent several summers and seasons coaching at Buffalo Grove High School with various levels in the program. Additionally, he was a women's soccer assistant coach at Division I Loyola University of Chicago for two seasons, 1998 and 1999.  Throughout Mike's club coaching career, several former players have since joined Elite's staff which has been tremendous for the club.  Mike holds a USSF C License and National Youth License.  

Mike also worked as a middle school social worker and has a Master of Social Work degree.  Prior to these experiences, Mike was an active community service leader for Americorps, Soccer in the Streets, and other national organizations.  In addition to his duties at Elite Soccer, Mike serves as the President of Elite Soccer Community Organization (ESCO).  ESCO is dedicated to community building and youth development through soccer in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Prior to joining Elite Soccer in a full-time capacity, Mike worked as community mental health counselor, school social worker, and sales professional for Positive Coaching Alliance.  Youth sports can play a major role in children’s development.  “I had great coaches and teammates during my youth sports experience and to facilitate that type of experience for others is something I enjoy. It is rewarding to provide kids with a positive and character-building experience that is competitive.  As a coach, we are able to assist in the growth of kids on and off the field.”
Playing Experience:
Mike was the captain of the 1988 Buffalo Grove High School soccer state championship team and earned All-Chicago area playing honors.  Mike's youth club soccer teams consistently competed at the state, regional, and national level.
Personal:
Mike lives in Arlington Heights with his wife Melissa and three sons.  Mike enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with his family.
  



Stein Garcia
Executive Director of Coaching & Player Development/Girls Director

Coaching Experience:  Stein Garcia has over 20 years of coaching experience and has a tremendous background in developing youth.  A Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) "Double Goal Coach" National Finalist, Stein currently holds a USSF National "A" License, USYSA “NYL” National Youth License, is a former Illinois Olympic Development Staff Coach, and has a Masters Degree in Youth Development and Degree in Kinesiology from UIC.  Stein is also on the board of advisers for TPSR-Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Through Sport.  Stein is a true teacher of the game and a youth development practitioner.  "Coaching is all about developing players and building relationships.  It's important to connect with players and families and be a positive role model and mentor.  I strive to inspire players to realize their potential, take responsibility, be leaders, and apply what they have learned on the field to their everyday lives.  I want to give back to the game that has given me so much."  In the 20 years that Stein has been coaching in Arlington Heights, he has developed players in the club that have excelled in their high school careers with 9 IHSA, MSL Players of the Year, one Daily Herald Player of the Year, one Chicago Tribune Athlete of the year and two Daily Herald All-Area Captain.  Stein has helped several players move on to college soccer programs at the Division I, II, III, and N.A.I.A. levels.  Stein also has experience coaching at the college level when he served as an assistant coach at UIC under Sasha Begovic from 2000-2001.  Stein helped the program win the Midwestern Collegiate Conference Championship and reach the sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2001.
Playing Experience:  Started his college career at Creighton University from 1996-1997 helping the program to back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Championships and a birth to the Sweet 16 in 1997 and the Final Four in 1996.  Stein finished his playing career at UIC from 1998-1999, where he helped the program win its first ever Midwestern Collegiate Conference Championship and trip to the NCAA tournament.  In his prep years, Stein was a 4 year varsity starter at Hoffman Estates High School...a three-time Mid-Suburban South All-Conference and all-sectional honoree...a three-time Daily Herald All-Area player and two-time Pioneer Press All-Area recipient...served as team captain for three years, where he was voted most valuable player each year and was named First Team IHSA All-State as a senior.  Stein also played in the Illinois Olympic Development Program from 1992-1996 and played for The Chicago Pegasus Soccer Club.  
Personal:  Stein comes from a big soccer family.  His father, Sam Garcia coached Schaumburg U19 Soccer club to one State Cup Championship and one runner up award.  Stein's father was head coach for the Mens Harper College soccer program and  also started the Women's program in the 90s.  His eldest Sister, Sheila played soccer at the University of Chicago.  His other sister Steph played soccer at Loyola University and his brother Vince Garcia played at Harper Jr College.   Stein's Mom, Mabel is a super soccer supporter.  Stein and his wife, April, have 2 Siberian Huskies.
  









Coaching Experience - Chris brings a wealth of experience to Elite S.C. and currently holds his USSF "A" License.  A Northwest Suburbs native, Chris has been continually increasing his coaching experience in the Chicago suburbs, as well as in Georgia."I believe a coach can advise a player on how they can improve, but it is ultimately the responsibility and effort of the player that will make them better. I strive to create a professional, positive, competitive, fun, and challenging environment for my players". Chris was an integral team member at the Soccer in the Streets program in Atlanta, Georgia. As the Positive Choice Program Facilitator for Soccer in the Streets, Chris worked with under-privileged youth and taught them life skills through the game of soccer. Chris also worked as a staff coach at Roswell Santos soccer club in Roswell, Georgia.  Additionally, Chris has served as a Program Director for Mark Miller's Munchkin Soccer program for children ages 3-11. On top of his position as the Assistant Director of Coaching at Elite S.C., Chris is the Co-Founder and President of a high quality screen printing and embroidery company called Scrappy Apparel Company. "I enjoy this because it allows me to grow my entrepreneurial spirit, be in control of my work schedule, and build lasting relationships with those who choose to do business with us".

Playing Experience - Coach Berena was staple on the Illinois ODP team from 1997 until 1999. He also spent time with Eclipse Select and Windy City FC before becoming a State Cup champion with Sockers FC. Chris played his high school soccer at Schaumburg High School where he was a three-time All-Conference player, two-time All-Area, and an All-Sectional honoree. Chris went on to play at West Virginia University where he received both academic and athletic scholarships. After spending 2 years as a starter at West Virginia, Chris decided to transfer back home to Chicago to become a starter and captain at University of Illinois-Chicago where he received All-Tournament accolades at the University of Memphis Diadora Tournament. 

Personal - Chris comes from a family with a lot of soccer experience. His two younger sisters Melissa and Jasmine both played soccer during their youth. Chris enjoys supporting Chicago Bear Football and reading, cooking, playing soccer & video games in his free time. He is also a support of FC Barcelona. 
  
Adam Stephan
Boys Director of Coaching

 

Coaching  Experience:  

Before joining Elite Soccer in summer of 2015, Adam began his coaching career at Cary Soccer Association (CSA). As the lead staff coach of CSA's competitive arm, Cary Defenders, Adam was responsible in developing youth players ages U8-U18. He was also involved in the clubs Pre-K program, U8 Youth Academy, and was the School of Excellence program coordinator which provided recreational players the opportunity to receive professional coaching. Adam finished his time at CSA as the Interim Assistant Director of Coaching where he assisted the clubs newly appointed Director of Coaching in leading the coaching staff and overseeing the clubs day to day operations.  Adam currently holds a USSF National “B” License, is a PCA Double Goal Coach & Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports certified coach, and in 2014 was honored as the Illinois Youth Soccer Boys "Coach of the Year". Adam is a firm believer in developing the player and the person. "I seek not only to coach young athletes the technical and tactical aspects of the game, but teach important life skills along the way. I wish to create an environment in which hard work and discipline help players improve and develop into confident problem solvers. In addition, I hope to instill a true love for the game and a desire to not only play soccer, but enjoy it to the fullest."

Playing Experience: Adam grew up playing soccer in Crystal Lake, playing for youth clubs Crystal Lake Force & Cary Defenders. He attended Prairie Ridge High School where he was a 2 year varsity starter leading the team in goals on their way to a Fox Valley Conference championship. Adam went on to play soccer at McHenry County College, and the Cary Defenders U23 Men's team before starting his coaching career.

Personal: Adam lives in Crystal Lake and when not coaching, enjoys golfing, being outdoors, and supporting the Cubs, Bulls, and Hawks.
 

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126 East Wing Street, #324
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
Phone : 773-561-4949
Email : [email protected]
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