Chicago FC United

Chicago FC United
Full nameChicago FC United
Nickname(s)FC United
Founded2003
GroundVernon Hills Athletic Complex
Owner3Step Sports
LeagueMLS Next, Girls Academy
Websitehttps://www.chicagofcunited.com/

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.

Youth and Academy Programs

Chicago 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

Chicago FC United
Founded2017
StadiumBridgeview Sports Dome
ManagerLogan Pause
LeagueUSL 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

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

  • USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2018
  • USL League Two Great Lakes Division Champions 2019
  • USL League Two Heartland Division Champions 2022

Ownership

Chicago 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

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Girls Academy League Members". Girls Academy League. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  3. ^ mlssoccer. "MLS NEXT Members". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  4. ^ "Vernon Hills move forward with synthetic turf for soccer fields". Daily Herald. October 17, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Group Seeks to Build Hub for Elite Soccer Players". Athletic Business. October 14, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Soccer Events Group Tournaments". Soccer Events Group. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "New No. 1 club featured for first time in SoccerWire Boys Rankings". SoccerWire. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "SoccerWire Top 100 Girls Clubs revealed for September 2022". SoccerWire. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  9. ^ "FC United Wins US Youth Soccer National Championship". Illinois Youth Soccer Association. July 19, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Christie, Brett (June 29, 2017). "Local collegiate players showcase soccer skills for Chicago FC United". Chicago Tribune.
  11. ^ "2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results". April 12, 2017.
  12. ^ "Cleveland SC vs. Chicago FC United - Football Match Summary - March 22, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Chad Gruen LinkedIn Profile". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "3STEP SPORTS ACQUIRES SPORTS MADE PERSONAL - 3Step Sports". 3Step Sports - We Run Sports. June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
Illinois

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