Chicago Soccer Camps; Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars & Brian McBride

The Chicago soccer summer camp schedule is in full swing and if you have budding soccer stars at home or just young children who are looking for something to check out this summer, here are three top camps to take a look at. A quick summary is below and more information is after the break.

The Chicago Fire have teamed up with Youth Elite Soccer (Y.E.S.) to offer a 5-day camp at 24 separate times at several different locations throughout the Chicagoland area this summer.  The same camps are listed here too but with 'different packaging' so to speak.  If you are ready to dive in right now, you can e-mail Camps@Chicago-Fire.com or call 708-496-6768.

Chicago Red Stars are offering a 4-day camp four times this summer in Oak Brook, Elgin or Naperville.  There is the option to have your camp participant participate in half-day or full-day camps.  If you are prepared to take the plunge now or get more information, you can contact Shannon at 'smcdonnell@chicagoredstars.com' or call 312-546-3670 and leave a message for Shannon (ext. 105).

Last but not least is Chicagoland soccer legend Brian McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy camps.  You might recall that McBride talked about his vision of training a new generation of American strikers when he retired and he has come through on his promise.  There are three sessions this summer, one in Arlington Heights, one in Glen Ellyn, and one in Lincolnshire.  For more information you can email brian@mcbridesacademy.com or call 847-577-9904.

Brian McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy

I am most intrigued by McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy because it promises something a little different than your normal soccer training.

McBride's Attacking Soccer Academy emphasizes five important tools for players: thought processing, dynamic movement, technique, heading both inside and outside the box, and pure shooting. McBride's training hones in on players understanding their roles and enhancing their skills to become complete soccer players.

McBride is making himself available for team trainings and the schedule is constantly updating on his web site.  If you can't fit in one of the camps above, there's a good chance you can catch him this fall or  you could even look into bringing him in to work with your soccer team.  The dates and locations for the three public session this summer are McBride's hometown Arlington Heights (June 20-24), Glen Ellyn (July 18-22) and Lincolnshire (July 25-29).

Chicago Red Stars

The Chicago Red Stars camps are just for girls and provide an unique opportunity to work with top women soccer players and coaches.

Led by the Red Stars organization, Red Stars camps and training have the distinct advantage of a female
staff, which allows athletes to address specific areas of improvement and experience camp at a pace that
is representative of the women's game. Open to players of all skill levels and ages 7 to 16, Red Stars
camps provide a fun, educational and welcoming environment for girls to learn new skills and mature as
players.

The dates and locations for the four camp sessions are Oak Brook Polo Field (June 20-23), Elgin Sports Complex (June 27-30), Naperville Commissioners Park (July 18-21),  and Naperville Nike Sports Complex (August 8-11).

Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire camps have the advantage of offering a wide variety of dates and locations to choose from.

13-17 June                   Naperville                                   IL

20-24 June                   Fox River Grove                         IL

20-24 June                  Oak Park                                      IL

20-24 June                  Elk Grove                                     IL

20-24 June                  Lebanon                                       IN

27-31 June                  Lake In The Hills                         IL

11-15 July                  Arlington Heights                          IL

11-15 July                  Lombard                                         IL

11-15 July                  Crestwood                                      IL

11-15 July                  Gurnee                                            IL

11-15 July                  Round Lake                                   IL

11-15 July                  Kankakee                                       IL

11-15 July                   Waupaca                                      WI

18-22 July                  Oak Lawn                                      IL

18-22 July                  Buffalo Grove                               IL

18-22 July                  Waverly                                        IA

25-29 July                  Oak Park                                      IL

25-29 July                  Winfield                                        IL

1-5 August                  Homewood Flossmoor             IL

1-5 August                  Inverness                                    IL

1-5 August                  Mount Prospect                         IL

1-5 August                  Summit                                        IL

8-12 August                  La Grange                                IL

15-19 August                  River Forest                           IL

I found the page on U-4 - U-14 programs to be much more interesting than the camps and training page.  If you want to find out what your kid would learn at these camps, that's the page to visit.  The descriptions of Play S.A.F.E., A.T.T.A.C.K. Strength Based Coaching, and The Green Card are detailed very well in the linked documents and videos.  It's great to see the team post this kind of information.  It's onwards and upwards for the future of soccer in Chicagoland.