Elite Soccer started in 1998 as a passionate hobby for founders, Brendan Eitz and Mike Steele. It has evolved into a comprehensive soccer-based youth development organization that consistently impacts thousands of players each year.
Shortly after graduating college in the mid 1990’s, Elite Soccer’s founders, Brendan Eitz and Mike Steele, were already working as soccer coaches and were exploring ways to become more involved in youth soccer. As a result of conversations with Arlington Aces coaches and the Arlington Heights Park District, it became clear that the community was looking for more opportunities to help the players learn and grow in the game of soccer. In 1998, Elite Soccer was incorporated.
In addition to team training, during the first two years of incorporation, Elite Soccer teamed up with long-time friend and soccer teammate Brian McBride to launch “Brian McBride’s Elite Soccer Camps”. As most soccer fans know, Brian’s career blossomed and his time became limited during the summer with his MLS season and USA National Team duties. Camp officially became known as “Elite Soccer Camps”.
Over the course of several years, Elite Soccer trained more and more Aces teams. In 2002, Elite Soccer became the unified trainer for the Arlington Aces Soccer Club. The response from coaches, players, and families was very positive and soon teams were asking Elite Soccer to train their teams twice per week and to coach their games. This evolution became the foundation for the “Aces Academy Program”, where Aces teams were coached and trained by Elite Soccer staff coaches. In 2011-2012, over 500 players participated in the Academy.
In 2012, Elite Soccer launched its own soccer club, Elite S.C. Elite S.C. aims to be a nationally recognized model program for youth soccer development. Elite S.C. will enable your children to reach their highest levels of competition. We strive to win, and are committed to youth development, teaching life lessons, and community building, to help develop great kids who are great soccer players. Elite Soccer brings experienced, professional, caring coaches to teach and develop soccer players from the fun, through the passion, to the demands of elite level soccer.
Elite Soccer has grown from a coaching staff of three to over 40 coaches, many of whom are former local players and District 214 graduates. The staff is comprised of staff members who possess advanced soccer licenses and professional certifications in the educational, psychology, exercise physiology, and youth development fields.
Today, Elite Soccer is an organization that not only provides summer camps and training but one that is community-focused. It provides extensive year-round programming to children ages 3-18 in the northwest suburbs. Elite Soccer currently serves over 2000 players in its year-round programs and sponsors community services projects such as: Youth Leadership Shoe Drive, Relay for Life, Project Linus, Elite Soccer Parent Council Food Drive, and Rosie’s Toy collection project. Founders, Brendan Eitz and Michael Steele, grew up and reside in Arlington Heights and are dedicated to serving the local community.