Boys ECNL Staff

Grew up in Barzilovica, Serbia and currently resides in La Grange, Ill… Currently the Goalkeeping Coach for the Chicago Red Stars… Most recently came from the University of Iowa where he was the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach… University of Louisville Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach where goalkeeper Taylor Bucklin earned All-ACC honors in 2015… Region III Olympic Development Goalkeeper Coach… US Soccer Goalkeeper Coach with the US U23 WNT Training Camps… Columbus State University Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach winning two conference championships, two NCAA tournament appearances, and an Elite 8 appearance in 2014… CFC Red Star Girls Director of Coaching and Academy Director of Coaching…NGSA Rapids Director of Goalkeeping… Georgia Olympic Development Program Staff Member… Emmanuel College Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach… Atlanta Silverbacks (USL W-League) Assitant and Goalkeeper Coach… Last Defense Goalkeeper Academy Staff Member… ZFK LASK (FC Red Star Belgrade) Assistant and Goalkeeper Women’s Coach… Currently holds a UEFA B and USSF C coaching licenses… Has an NSCAA Goalkeeping Level 1 and 2 diploma… Is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Why did you Join Eclipse?
I was recruited by Rory Dames and company to assist him with coaching duties for the Chicago Red Stars along with heading the Goalkeeping program for Eclipse and it was not an opportunity I could pass up.

What do you like the most about coaching?
The process of player development and seeing players from where they start and assisting them to achieve where they want to be.

Why Should prospective players join Eclipse over other clubs in the area?
It is a tremendous platform for all players to come, get better, and showcase their talents and abilities with the opportunity to play at the next level.

Grew up in Dublin, Ireland… Joined Eclipse Select in 2007… Played in college with College of DuPage winning an NJCAA National title in 1993 before playing with Marycrest University and captaining the side to two conference titles… Coached with the Chicago Fire Development Academy for a few years before coming back to coach at the ECNL level in 2016.

Why did you Join Eclipse?
Because it is the best girl’s soccer club in Illinois.

Why Should prospective players join Eclipse over other clubs in the area?
Because it is the best girls club in Illinois both in terms of its successes at a team level and in terms of creating a competitive environment for top players to excel and reach their top potential.

Grew up in East Aurora, Ill. and currently resides in Aurora, Ill… Played Division I soccer at Northern Illinois University… Graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (NIU) and an MBA (Keller Graduate School)… Super Y League Champions (2016 and 2017)… Boys NPL Finalist (2016)… Danone Nations Cup Champion USA (2016)… NPL 1 League Champions 2004 & 2005 Boys… State Champion 2019… State Runner Up 2019… Two US Club Regional Champion 2019… US Club National Cup Champion 2019… US Club Regional Champion 2019… US Club National Cup Finalist 2019… ENPL National Finalist 2019… 2019 ECNL Midwest U15 Conference Champions… Currently holds USSF E and D licenses… Joined Eclipse Select in 2017.

Why did you Join Eclipse?
It was the inaugural season of the Boys ECNL platform. I was offered the opportunity to run the West Location and coach in the Boys ECNL.

What do you like the most about coaching?
I love helping develop young athletes to reach their full potential and becoming great people along the way. Through work ethic, discipline, dedication, resiliency, persistence, and respect we work together to bring out the best in each other. It is a continuous cycle of self-motivation to share the passion of the game.

Why Should prospective players join Eclipse over other clubs in the area?
No other club will have the passion to develop kids as we do, no one else will put in the long hours to achieve it, and we share the commitment that the family makes.

Grew up in Aurora, Ill. and currently resides in Yorkville, Ill… With his brother Cleo, he has had a hand in developing all team accomplishments developing the West Location teams to compete at a regional and national level…Spent 12 Years of Developing Elite Soccer Players; Numerous League, State, Regional and National titles… Currently holds a USSF D coaching license… Joined Eclipse Select in 2017.

Why did you Join Eclipse?
I appreciate the existing girl’s program and wanted to be a part of growing an elite boys program.

What do you like the most about coaching?
The most rewarding part of coaching, is player growth, not only on the field but off the field as well. I consider players to be part of my family, I want them to succeed in life and in soccer. It is an honor to help influence today’s youth through soccer.

Why Should prospective players join Eclipse over other clubs in the area?
If a player is looking to take his/her game to the next level or compete in high-level soccer leagues then Eclipse is the place. Eclipse’s challenging and demanding environment builds elite soccer players.

Grew up in Orland Park, Ill. and currently resides in Aurora, Ill… Played Division I soccer at Bradley University where he was captain of the team… Involved and directly coached a number of National Championships in the USYS, ECNL, WAGS, and Disney Showcase in 20 years at the club… Currently holds a USSF D coaching license… Joined Eclipse in 2001.

Why did you Join Eclipse?
I joined Eclipse to consolidate the top talent in the Chicagoland area with the vision to have consistent success at the state, regional, and National level in a variety of competitions.

What do you like the most about coaching?
The opportunity to affect people’s lives through the game of soccer.

Why Should prospective players join Eclipse over other clubs in the area?
Eclipse is a proven pathway to individual development and team success.