CHICAGO MAGIC 

ACADEMY PHILOSOPHY

Developing the Next Generation

U.S. Soccer's Development Academy program is driven by the game and its players, coaches and referees.  This game-centric approach allows for long-term development to occur through a deep understanding of what makes players successful around the world.  As the sport of soccer grows in the United States , young players in our country need the proper environment to compete against the world's elite.  The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides the optimum developmental environment for the nation's top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition.

Meaningful Training

Academy teams spend a greater amount of time focused on training to improve as individuals and as a team. The teams and players receive direct feedback and evaluations from National Team Staff and ProZone video analysis. To round-out the complete training environment, Academy teams are tested in their physical capabilities using the SPARQ testing methodology and their hydration levels by Gatorade.  They also receive a SPARQ training curriculum for soccer-specific athletic training and Nutrition and Hydration recommendations from Gatorade's Sports Science Institute.  Each athlete then gains a greater understanding of how they compare physically against their peers and what they need to do to achieve their optimal performance levels. 

Competitive Environment

The Academy program features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful. Games are also played according to FIFA's Laws of the Game and officiated by a pool of the nation's top young referees in order to prepare players for the next level of competition. National Team Scouts regularly attend Academy games, so players are evaluated over the course of the season and in their natural positions allowing for better player assessment.

Early Success

As the program enters its second year, it has already dramatically impacted the player development process in the United States . In 2008, more than 100 players from Academy clubs were included in U.S. Youth National Teams and almost 800 graduates from the inaugural Academy class participated in college soccer the following fall. Virtually all college programs use the Academy program as a scouting vehicle and the program has received increased attention from professional scouts representing domestic and international clubs. Visit ussoccer.com to view the top Academy teams in action.

CLUB PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of the Chicago Magic Soccer Club is solely focused on developing young players to the best of their abilities.

Players must bring a ball, shin guards, water, and a serious attitude to learn and train hard to each and every practice.

Practices are MANDATORY.  Please do not expect to play -- unless you each attend each scheduled practice with your team or a substituted practice.

Players must realize that this is not recreational soccer.  Our training is the highest level of elite and developmental training anywhere in the country.

Players must always reflect respect for all authority figures, including coaches, trainers, referees, administrators, and, above all, parents.

All coaching and player allocation decisions (team assignments) are made solely by the professional coaching staff of the club.

Parents must stay away from the players' bench area under all conditions.

Parents are implored NOT to coach during the match from anywhere at the field. Parents are spectators - they're there to enjoy the matches.

If parents have some financial hardships or multiple children in the program -- please see the coaching staff for referee jobs and other considerations in lieu of fee payments. It takes lots of manpower and lots of hours to make things work smoothly with the Chicago Magic's hundreds and hundreds of players.

Parents must conduct themselves properly at all times when players from the club are involved. The club and the coaches will not tolerate embarrassments and indiscretions at games and tournaments.

TOTAL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

FROM MAGIC TO PRO

Ned Grabavoy	Brad Guzan
2005 MLS Cup NCAA Indiana Champion U16 USYS Champion	Aston Villa 2007 MLS GK of the Year 2005 First Pick MLS Draft Generation Adidas
Quavas Kirk	Tim Regan
2005 3rd Round MLS Draft Pick U17 USMNT Residency Generation Adidas	MLS Humanitarian of the Year 4 Time NCAA All Conference Generation Adidas

FROM MAGIC TO RESIDENCY

Eric Lichaj	Josh Lambo
Aston Villa NCAA All Conference U17 USMNT Residency	FC Dallas Solid in South Korea World Cup U17 USMNT Residency
Brendan King	Perry Kitchen
Notre Dame FIFA U17 World Cup U17 USMNT Residency	U17 USMNT Residency ODP Youth National Team Top Prospect

ACADEMY ALUMNI 

The Chicago Magic has placed a high number of players into great academic and athletic programs at colleges and universities across the country. This is a true credit to the players, their families, and the coaches in the Chicago Magic Soccer Club, as it shows that hard work and being prepared can pay off in the end.

The Academy Program begins a new era of players placed into College and the Professional ranks. This is only a partial listing of the storied history of Chicago Magic players going on to play in College. Visit all the alumni here.

JOIN US!

THE MAGIC's

PYRAMID TO SUCCESS

U.S. Soccer has created the U.S. Soccer Development Academy to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Chicago Magic Soccer Club is one of the select clubs that participates in the USSDA. "The exposure players receive in this program is second to none." said Academy Director Raul Diaz Arce, "The Academy format provides top quality matches that challenges players on emotional, mental and physical levels." The U16 and U18 Chicago Magic Academy strives to provide players with the best possible opportunity to achieve their utmost potential as elite soccer players.

Joining the #1 club in Chicago-land is easier than you think. You can start the process of joining the #1 club in the Chicago-land by attending one of our upcoming Academy tryout sessions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• To view the latest Academy information, including schedules, standings, player rosters and contact information please visit our U- 15/16 and U-17/18 Academy Team Pages.
• To view the latest information on the Development Academy , please visit the Development Academy Home Page on ussoccer.com
• Please click here to learn more about the origins of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program.
• Find out more about the Development Academy by watching these following videos:
  • "What's It About".
  • "Development Academy: The Next Step".
  • Interview with MNT Head Coach Bob Bradley at a Development Academy Fall Showcase.
• Further questions about the Development Academy can be answered in this U.S. Soccer FAQ.
• Health and Nutrition Resources
  • Gatorade Sports Science Institute
  • Foods and Fluids for Fitness
  • Nutritional Requirements for Soccer
• Athletic Resources
  • SPARQ Training

  • Should Athletes Stretch Before Exercise?
  • Speeding Recovery From Exercise