AS Monaco and Chicago Magic Establish Long Term Partnership

Chicago Magic Academy -- AS Monaco FC , one of the most successful clubs in French soccer has established a long term partnership with one of the top youth soccer clubs in the United States , the Chicago Magic SC, as announced today by both organizations. AS Monaco with seven league titles and five French Cup titles, were finalists in the UEFA Champions League in 2004, impressively beating Real Madrid and Chelsea along the way. AS Monaco former players include Emmanuel Adebayor, Fabien Barthez, Youri Djorkaeff, Patrice Evra, Ludovic Giuly, Thierry Henry, Juergen Klinsman, Roger Milla, Willy Sagnol, Javier Saviola, Lilian Thuram, Yaya Toure, David Trezeguet, and George Weah.

"This allegiance is groundbreaking for both sides. AS Monaco is committed to an alliance with all levels of soccer in the Chicago Magic program and their U16 & U18 youth academies will be the foundation of our combined efforts. The Magic is at the forefront of soccer in the United States ," said AS Monaco President Jerome de Bontin. "AS Monaco has one of the best academies in the world--the reserve team just won the 2008 U23 French championship--and has a long history of pioneering relationships with the purpose of identifying and developing talented soccer players."

The new partnership will elevate the Magic program by including sponsorship and technical support covering all U.S. Soccer Development Academy expenses for Chicago Magic coaches and players, an annual exchange program allowing top prospects to train in Monaco, and AS Monaco coaches conducting special training sessions and camps in the United States. "Partnering with AS Monaco, one of the most popular soccer clubs in Europe, now officially positions the Magic as the undisputed destination for youth soccer players in Chicago and across the Midwest ," said Mike Matkovich, Director of Soccer for the Chicago Magic Soccer Club. "We are excited about this enriching relationship for this year and many years to come." We look forward to seeing Chicagoland's young talent at one of our upcoming tryouts sessions! For more information on joining the Chicago Magic please send us an e-mail.

Best of the Midwest Registrations Accepted

07/04/2008 -- KOHL's Fall Best of the Midwest tournament applications are now being accepted for both boys and girls through August 12, 2008. Come join a tournament that has traditionally been touted as one of the premier youth tournaments in the USA . This tournament is hosted at the Hallmark Convention and Sports Complex in Hebron , Indiana on some of the premier fields in the Midwest.

Chicago Magic U16 Academy Headed to Home Depot Center !

07/01/2008 -- The Chicago Magic U16's clinched a spot in the U.S. Soccer Academy finals with a 2-2 draw in their final match against Chivas USA . Scoring for the Magic were Art Garza and Dylan Mares. “I am very proud of the boys.” said Academy Head Coach Sole Antonijevic, “They are playing the kind of soccer you would expect of a team reaching the finals.” On the U18 side, the boys could also earn a trip to California with a tie or victory by Scott Gallagher and a Magic win in each of their final games.

Magic Girls Headed to Virginia Beach !

07/01/2008 -- The Indianapolis , Indiana US Club regional is now over with the Chicago Magic U17 girls claiming the region champion title! Kristen Windecker scored the winning goal over Ohio Elite in a 1-0 victory. The U16 girls came up just short in their final losing to Windy City Pride. On the boys side the U15's lost a penalty kick shootout in semi final action against Bangu of Minnesota. Good luck to the U17 girls at the National Cup Finals in Virginia Beach!

Magic Pre-season Camp

06/26/2008 -- The Chicago Magic will again have their pre-season soccer camp . The camp will take place at the Hallmark Sports Club in Frankfort , Illinois from August 11 through August 15. This team camp is for all of our Chicago Magic Soccer Club teams to train hard together for one full week before starting the Fall Season. This team camp cannot be made mandatory; however, we encourage all players to attend as we prepare for the upcoming Fall season. This camp is very important to our club's success by keeping us one step ahead of the rest.

Register for the 2008/2009 Season

06/13/2008 -- Please make sure to visit the customer service desk at the Hallmark Sports Club. Parents are required to register with their player. Please complete the needed forms to speed up processing. All forms are available on the website under the "Join the Magic" link. Dates are as follows: Tuesday 6/17, Wednesday 6/18 and Thursday 6/19 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. This is for all U14 and below boys and girls teams.

Magic Adds Another State Cup Champion

06/02/2008 -- The Chicago Magic U14 boys won 3-0 over the Eclipse in the championship match bringing home the trophy. To date, the Magic has amassed 82 Illinois State Cup titles! In the first half a beautiful free kick by Danny Lojek was scored from distance. After surviving a surge from Eclipse in the first 10 minutes of the second half, the Magic side scored two goals in a span of five minutes placing the game out of reach for the Eclipse side. Hunter Miller lobbed the goalie on a counter attack while Alberto Martinez scored on a diving header at the back post off a Danny Lojek corner kick. Congrats to the boys!

U13 & U15 Magic Sides Fair Well Despite Losses

06/02/2008 -- The Chicago Magic U13 boys fell in semi-final action 4-2 in overtime to eventual Illinois State Cup champion, Elgin Pumas . After battling to a 1-1 draw in regulation, the boys took the lead in the first overtime on a goal by Reid Melton. The team held their ground until the last 4 minutes before succumbing to the Elgin attack. The U15 boys were in a hole early giving up two quick goals to our Academy partner, the Chicago Wind. The boys showed their competitive spirit by working themselves back into the game with goals from Butler and Alvarez. "It was a great physical contest with the U15's coming up short in penalties," said Chicago Magic Boys Director, Todd Bailey. "To battle back from a 2-0 deficit shows the character of the team."

Chicago Magic U13 U14 Reach State Cup Semis

05/29/2008 -- The Chicago Magic U14 boys beat Schwaben 2-0 with a first half goal by Connor Bartuch and second half goal by Danny Lojeck to earn a spot in the semis.Last night the U13's earned a victory over the Chicago Blast. Tommy Eyer scored a header off a Brandon Sloan corner-kick to tie it up in the opening minutes of the second half.The team had chances to win outright but triumphed in penalties. Penalties were converted by Ryan Tempel, Brandon Sloan, Reed Melton, and Brian Kane.Chicago Magic U13 goalie, Michael Dybala aided the Magic side by saving the 3rd Chicago Blast penalty attempt.Good luck to both teams!

Spring Best of the Midwest Recap

05/26/2008 -- The Chicago Magic Soccer Club had a great Memorial Day weekend in Hebron , Indiana , home of the Hallmark Convention and Sports Complex. Five teams advanced to the playoffs including the U14 and U18 girls and the U13, U14 and U15 boys. The U18 girls held the championship trophy with a 2-0 win over FWSC 91, while the U14 boys took home the crown with a 2-1 pk victory over the Kalamazoo Kingdom. Rounding out the day's activities were the U15's with a 2-1win over the Chicago Wind.

Brad Guzan Preparing for England Friendly

05/20/2009 -- U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named a 22-man roster that will travel to London to prepare for a friendly against England on May 28 at Wembley Stadium. Included in the roster is Magic's very own, Brad Guzan. The England friendly kicks off at 8:00 PM CST and will be broadcast live on ESPN Classic. Go USA !

U.S. Scout Gives Views on Magic Academy Matches

05/19/2009 -- Development Academy Director of Scouting Dave Sarachan has attended numerous Chicago Magic Academy matches including the Magic's U16 match with Scott Gallagher which ended with a 3-0 victory. "The Development Academy has a different mentality to it than the club scene where clubs were preparing for two or even three games in one day," said Sarachan. "Now, they have to treat the game with a different level of concentration and a different mentality."

Illinois State Cup Update

05/18/2008 -- The Chicago Magic U13 girls have advanced to Illinois State Cup quarterfinal action where they will take on Sockers FC as their next challenge. The Chicago Magic U13 and U14 boy's teams both advanced to the Illinois State Cup quarter-finals where they will take on U13 Chicago Blast and U14 Schwaben Nationals . Good luck to all teams as they continue toward state championships!

Another Magic Player Travels to Europe

05/05/2008 -- U.S. Under-15 Boy's National Team head coach Jim Barlow has named 20 players who will travel to Madrid , Spain from May 9 th through the 19 th . Included in this team is U16 Chicago Magic Academy standout David Caban. The team will take on youth squads from the following Spanish clubs: Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid, Rayo Majadahonda, and Rayo Vallecano.

Hononegah Lions Spring Classic Recap

05/04/2008 -- The Chicago Magic boy's teams had some excitement this past weekend up in Rockford , Illinois during the Hononegah Lions Spring Classic. The U8 boys beat the Freeport Force 8-3 for the championship while the U11 boys topped the Quad City United FC side 1-0 to earn their title. Congratulations also to the Chicago Magic Silver team for making it to the championship finals on Sunday.

Eclipse Tournament Recap

05/01/2008 -- Our Chicago Magic boy's teams showed well this past week in the Eclipse tournament. The U13 boys were undefeated in pool play with a 5-0 win over the Rockford Raptors, a 3-0 win over Evanston Orange, a 1-1 tie versus Eclipse Select. They earned the championship crown with an easy 4-2 win over Eclipse North. The U14 boys won all their pool games with a 7-0 win over Schwaben Nationals, a 1-0 win over Eclipse East, and a 4-0 win over Eclipse Select. The boys took second in the tournament with a 1-0 loss to the CFJ's.