BETTER COACHES =
BETTER PLAYERS
“We invest in developing our coaches so they can better develop our players.”
A Smarter, Full-Year Development Model
PLAYER FIRST APPROACH
We are redefining the season as a connected, intentional year-round pathway, while maintaining flexibility for families throughout the 12 months of the year.
We begin with our traditional club-wide Fall kickoff in mid to late August, training outdoors through Thanksgiving, when many other clubs begin to scale back. This period includes club-wide assessment games to support player development.
December is intentionally a recovery and reset period for players and families—time to rest, spend time together, and recharge. Optional, fun sessions are available for those who want to stay active. It is also an important part of our CITY Care model, allowing our global coaching staff to reconnect with family, reflect, and return refreshed with new perspectives.
Both December and January serve as key touchpoints for reviewing progress and updating Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Winter begins in January with a lighter schedule, allowing athletes to participate in multiple sports and activities, something we strongly value for long-term development. Training focuses on indoor technical work as preparation for spring, with winter leagues remaining optional.
Throughout the year, we maintain flexibility for families—depending on the program or level, simply communicate with us about what works best for your child.
RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Our recreational pathway is designed to introduce young players and families to soccer in a fun, structured, and supportive way, while building a strong foundation for long-term development.
CLUB LEVEL PROGRAMMING
CITY provides single age-group teams at multiple levels for both girls and boys, ensuring appropriate competition and development for every player. Each team is assigned a full-time, licensed coach who is background checked, SafeSport certified, and trained in concussion awareness and first aid.
Club teams compete locally in the IWSL, YSSL, NISL, and NPL leagues.
GIRLS ACADEMY
Girls Academy teams U9-U10 play locally in IWSL as there is no elite platform at this age yet. Our U11-U12's play Pre ECNL with a club partner and then our teams U13-U19 compete in the Development Player League (DPL), which serves as the entry platform to the official Girls Academy (GA).
The DPL operates on a club-vs-club model, requiring participating clubs to field competitive teams from U13 through U19. Clubs that demonstrate consistent performance and development across all age groups can earn promotion to the next level, GA Aspire, providing a pathway into the broader Girls Academy platform.
We are currently awaiting a decision regarding our application to join the ECNL Girls league, with announcements expected to be made in March.
BOYS ACADEMY
Boys Academy teams at U9–U10 currently compete locally in the YSSL, with the club exploring participation in Pre-NPL beginning Fall 2026. Our U11–U12 teams compete in Pre-ECNL, with Pre-EA programming being added in the fall to further strengthen the development pathway.
At the U13–U19 levels, teams currently compete in ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL), Elite Academy (EA), and the IYSA National League, though these platforms will evolve heading into the new season.
Strong performance within the ECNL RL and EA platforms creates opportunities for promotion into higher competitive environments, including ECNL National League and MLS NEXT II, making the upcoming spring season an important one for our teams as they continue to develop and compete.
LEAGUE DIVISIONS
CITY team levels progress from Academy 1, Academy 2, to Team I–V, creating clear standards across all age groups.
2018
Girls I (IWSL D)
Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
Boys II (YSSL Div 5)
Boys III (Div 5)
Boys South I (Div 5)
2017
Girls I (IWSL C Div)
Girls II (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy I (YSSL Div 3)
Boys Academy II (YSSL Div 4)
Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
South Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
2016
Girls I (IWSL B Div)
Girls II (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy I (YSSL Div 2)
Boys Academy II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
Boys II (YSSL Div 5)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Boys IV (YSSL Div 5)
Boys V (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
Loop Boys II (YSSL Div 5)
South Boys Academy (YSSL Div 3)
South Boys II (YSSL Div 5)
2015
Girls I (Pre-ECNL)
Girls II (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy I (Pre-ECNL)
Boys Academy II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
Boys II (YSSL Div 4)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Boys IV (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
South Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
2014
Girls Academy (Pre-ECNL)
Girls I (IWSL B Div)
Girls II (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy I (Pre-ECNL)
Boys Academy II (YSSL Div 2)
Boys I (YSSL Div 3)
Boys II (YSSL Div 4)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Boys IV (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
South Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
2013
Girls Academy (DPL)
Girls I (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 3)
Boys II (YSSL Div 4)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 4)
2012
Girls Academy (DPL)
Girls I (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 3)
Boys II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Boys IV (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
2011
Girls Academy (DPL)
West Girls I (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 2)
Boys II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Boys IV (YSSL Div 5)
West Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
South Boys I (YSSL Div 3)
2010
Girls Academy (DPL)
Girls I (IWSL B Div)
Girls II (IWSL D Div)
Boys Academy I (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 3)
Boys II (YSSL Div 4)
Boys III (YSSL Div 5)
Loop Boys I (YSSL Div 5)
Elgin Boys I (NPL Div 2)
2009
Girls Academy (DPL)
Girls I (IWSL C Div)
Girls II (IWSL DE Div)
West Girls I (IWSL AB Div)
Boys Academy I (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 2)
Boys II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys III (YSSL Div 3)
2008
Girls Academy (DPL)
Boys Academy I (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 2)
Boys II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys III (YSSL Div 3)
2007/08
Girls Academy (DPL)
Boys Academy I (ECNL/EA)
Boys I (YSSL Div 2)
Boys II (YSSL Div 3)
Boys III (YSSL Div 3)
CITY PROGRAMMING OFFERINGS
| PROGRAM | MINI CITY | REC CITY | CLUB U7-U8 | CLUB U9-U14 | CLUB HSG | CLUB HSB | ACADEMY U9-U10 | ACADEMY U11-U14 | ACADEMY HSG | ACADEMY HSB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FALL/SPRING/SUMMER SESSIONS | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 3 PER WEEK | 3 PER WEEK | 3 PER WEEK | 3 PER WEEK |
| WINTER SESSIONS | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 1 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK | 2 PER WEEK |
| TOURNAMENTS INCLUDED | 0 | 0 | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games | 1 x 3-4 Games |
| CLUB FESTIVAL GAMES | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| # LEAGUE GAMES | 0 - 2V2/3V3 | 6-8 x V3/4V4/5V5 | 8 x 7V7 | 8 x 7V7/9V9 | 8 x 11V11 | 8 x 11V11 | 8 x 7V7 | 10 x 9V9/11V11 | 10 x 11V11 | 10 x 11V11 |
| IDP CONFERNECES | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| COLLEGE/HIGHSCHOOL PLAYER SUPPORT | 0 | 0 | 0 | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | 0 | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| PLAYER CARE WITH HEALTHY ROSTER APP | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| MENTAL HEALTH COACHES + FREE APP | - | - | - | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| GOALKEEPING WITHIN TEAM TRAINING | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| PREMIER PLAYER & FAMILY SUPPORT | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| FINANCIAL AID | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| PRACTICE LOCATIONS FOR CITY TEAMS | Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, Edgewater, Pilsen, Bronzeville | Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Edgewater, Pilsen | Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Pilsen | Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Pilsen | River Park, Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Pilsen | River Park, Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Pilsen | Old Irving, Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Old Town, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Pilsen | Old Irving, Montrose, Wilson, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, West Loop, Bronzeville | River Park, Bridgeview Sports Complex | Bridgeview Sports Complex |