Cary Soccer

The Cary Defenders are affiliated with Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and US Club Soccer through its participation in the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL) and the Young Sportsmen's Soccer League (YSSL). IYSA lies within the boundaries of Region 2 and is a member of US Youth Soccer, the world largest youth sports organization in the world. US Youth Soccer is the largest affiliate of US Soccer, a member of FIFA, the governing body of world soccer.

The Cary Defenders FC organization has long been a soccer pioneer in the Northwest suburbs of Illinois. We were one of the first to introduce paid, professional coaches to work with our players. We were also one of the first Clubs to hire a Director of Coaching and the first Club to develop a structured training curriculum for our players and teams. All new coaches in Cary Defenders are paid-professional staff, none are parent coaches.

The Cary Defenders reputation for producing skilled soccer players is unparalleled in the Northwest suburbs. Our Youth Development Academy is the first step in the process for both boys and girls at the U8 Youth Academy age (See U8 Youth Academy menu bar for details). Team levels progress from Under 8 through Under 19.

Age groups are determined by the child's age on August 1 of the playing year, which ends on following July 31st. Example: A child who turns 8 on November 1 is an Under 8, since he was not 8 at the start of the soccer year.

Cary Defenders FC is a college-preparatory program. All soccer-related decisions are made with the end goal of providing our players with the best possible opportunities at the collegiate level. Our organization promotes the physical, mental, and social development of youth in the team sport of soccer and endeavors to develop outstanding players who will excel at the higher levels of soccer and continue to have a lifelong enjoyment of the world's greatest game.

Cary Defenders FC offers a team camp and winter training program to further aid in each player achieving their full potential. In addition, all players receive a player evaluation at the end of each season. We are coaching tomorrow's soccer stars today.....
 

The Travel Program has both girls and boys teams competing in IYSA and US Club Soccer competitive leagues. Our girls teams compete in the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL), and our boys teams compete in the Young Sportsmen's Soccer League (YSSL)

Cary Defenders teams are coached by USSF and NSCAA licensed coaches who often have collegiate and, in some cases, professional playing experience. Our program's primary focus is player development cultivated in a competitive, yet fun, team-oriented environment. Technical proficiency is the foundation of the curriculum taught to players at the younger ages to ensure they are able to thrive at a competitive level. As players grow and mature, technical skills are continually refined, with the concentration gradually shifting to the tactical aspects of the game. Many former Cary Defenders have continued their soccer careers in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA college programs.
 

The Director of Coaching is responsible for all soccer-related decisions of the club, including the identification and selection of staff, curriculum and training methods/structure. The DOC also directs the coaching education and development program for the entire club and is responsible for overseeing training in selected age groups determined based on the needs of the club.

For more information on our staff coaches, visit the Coaches page.