ECLIPSE SELECT, TEAM CHICAGO FORM PARTNERSHIP

Lovercheck, Nielsen to join Eclipse Select’s Development Academy coaching staff for 2017-18 season

CHICAGO (April 11, 2017) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club has formed a partnership with Team Chicago that will include two of Team Chicago Soccer Club’s directors serving on Eclipse Select’s Development Academy coaching staff for the inaugural 2017-18 season.
Team Chicago Technical Director Phil Nielsen and Team Chicago Girls’ Director Dave Lovercheck will be a part of the DA coaching staff. They will work under Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, who will also be the Eclipse Select Development Academy Director heading into the fall season.
“With the Development Academy being a major part of our 2017-18 programming, requiring additional knowledgeable staff, this partnership with Team Chicago will benefit both clubs and the elite players who make up our DA rosters,” Dames said. “Phil Nielsen and Dave Lovercheck are seasoned directors in Chicagoland youth soccer, and their efforts will play a big role in our inaugural Development Academy season.”
Both clubs will continue to function as separate entities in the Elite Clubs National League, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the Midwest Regional League umbrellas. The value of the Eclipse Select-Team Chicago partnership will lie in the Development Academy makeup of both the coaching staff and roster makeup featuring both clubs’ memberships.
“We believe firmly in the goal of U.S. Soccer to develop the most productive developmental environment for the very elite players in this country. While Team Chicago would have liked to host our own DA program, we decided that in order to enhance the opportunities for the most talented and committed Team Chicago players, it was important that we joined forces with what promises to be the most selective and elite Girls’ DA in the Chicago market. With the connection to, and potential for vertical integration with, the Chicago Red Stars and the opportunities this affords the top DA players, the Eclipse Girls’ DA program should become the Girls’ DA program in Chicagoland.
“With the continued independent operation of Eclipse Select Soccer Club and Team Chicago Soccer Club – and the collaboration strictly at the DA level – it ensures that the two healthy organizations will continue to provide quality programming to their members, while coming together to provide a level of excellence at the very top.”