Dave Lovercheck- Technical Director

Email: [email protected]
Cell: 917.743.2114

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2004 Elite
Team Chicago Academy-2005 Elite
Team Chicago Academy-2007 Elite

Dave Lovercheck joined our staff as the Girls U10-18 Director in August 2015. Dave’s duties also include overseeing the Girls MLK Day College Showcase, the College-Search Advising Program for U14-18 boys and girls, Team Chicago fundraising, and serving as video analyst for both the boys and girls Academy Program.  In January 2018 he was elevated to Technical Director.

Dave is a USSF A-licensed coach who joined us from Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota where he was serving as Head Coach of the U17 Girls Elite Residential Program.

Dave has served as the Head Coach for the Chicago Red Stars Reserves in the WPSL in addition to being part of the US Soccer Federation Girls Development Academy staff at Eclipse as part of the GDA Partnership between Team Chicago and Eclipse in 2017-18.

Dave played collegiately at Hunter College, CUNY and earned his Bachelor in Science in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. He is currently finishing up his Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching from Ohio University a very prestigious coaching degree run in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Prior to his stint at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Dave spent five successful years as Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at San Jose State University (DI). At San Jose State, Dave served as Recruiting Coordinator and NCAA Compliance Coordinator as well as Video Analyst, and helped the team to two Western Athletic Conference championships.

While in the Bay Area, Dave also served as Assistant Coach & Head Equipment Manager for the FC Gold Pride, which won the Women’s Professional Soccer league title, and as head coach of the MVLA Pride U14 and U15 teams, which he led to the ECNL National Championship game in 2013 and a 3rd place finish in the National League. He also served as Boys Varsity Head Coach at Henry M. Gunn H.S. in Palo Alto, CA.

Dave started his coaching career in New York City where he served nine years as a Staff Coach and Camp Director for Downtown United Soccer Club in Manhattan, and two seasons as the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Dave is married to Jennifer who is a Chicagoland native and very excited about moving back home. Jen is an illustrator who works in children's books and has several titles published. Jen is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois-Champaign where she obtained her undergraduate degree, and her MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Dave and Jen are the proud parents of daughter Emily.

Kevin Gowrie- Boys Director

email: [email protected]

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2003 Elite Boys
Team Chicago Academy-2007 Elite Boys
Team Chicago 2008 Elite Boys
Team Chicago 2009 Elite Boys

On May 15, 2017 Team Chicago announced the hiring of Kevin Gowrie as its new 8U-19U Boys’ Director of Coaching. Gowrie is original from Perth, Scotland, but has been coaching in the U.S. for the past seven years and the past two years he has been the Director of Coaching for Oregon Soccer Club in Wisconsin.

In that role he was overseeing both the competitive and the recreational programs as well as creating a club coaching philosophy and a player curriculum. Gowrie has also created the curriculum for the OSC Academy (9U-10U) and Pre-Academy (8U) which has been certified by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association.

Gowrie played youth soccer for Athletico Blair, was selected for the Perth & Kinross Regional Teams at the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups and represented Scotland at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels before starting his coaching career at St. Johnstone FC.

At Team Chicago Coach Gowrie is working to rejuvenate the entire Team Chicago Boys’ Program from the ground up. He oversees the Boys’ High School aged teams while providing coaching for the younger Elite teams.

Education:

Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Sport and Exercise Science/Sports Coaching Degree (University of Edinburgh Napier)

Higher National Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development (Elmwood College)

SFA Level 1 Development Activities (Scottish Football Association)

SFA Level 2 Coaching Youth Footballers (Scottish Football Association)

SFA Level 3 Coaching In The Game (Scottish Football Association)

SFA Club Coach/C License (Scottish Football Association)

SFA Physical Preparation 12-18 Years (Scottish Football Association)

SFA Goalkeeping Level 1 (Scottish Football Association)

USSF E License (US Soccer Federation)

USSF D License (US Soccer Federation)

USSF C License (US Soccer Federation)

USSF B License (US Soccer Federation) 
USSF A Youth License (US Soccer Federation) (Ongoing)

US National Youth License (US Youth Soccer)

USC Premier Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Director of Coaching Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Advanced Youth Coaching Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Futsal Level 1 Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Technical Development of the Competitive Player Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Developing Your Players with High-Performance Technology Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Creating Talent Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Foundations of Coaching Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Attacking Principles of Play Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC The Mental Game: The Coaches Role in Developing Players Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Sports Psychology and Individual Mental Skills Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

USC Integrating the Goalkeeper into Team Training Diploma (United Soccer Coaches)

Coerver Youth Diploma 1 (Coerver Coaching)

Coerver Youth Diploma 2 (Coerver Coaching)

FA Talent Identification Level 1 (English Football Association)

FA Psychology Level 1 (English Football Association)

The Coach’s Guide to Youth Soccer Injury Recognition Certificate (Sideline Sports Doc)

Coaching Experience:

2015 – 2017: Director of Coaching, Oregon Soccer Club, WI
2010 – 2015: Head Coach, Oregon Soccer Club, WI
2001 – 2009: Youth Coach, St. Johnstone FC, Perth, Scotland

Phil Nielsen- Girls Director, Director of College Recruitment

Email: [email protected]
Cell: (413) 587-2627

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2001 Elite
Team Chicago Academy-2002 Elite
Team Chicago Academy-2003 Elite

Phil Nielsen started his playing and coaching career in his native Denmark. A coach for more than 30 years, he has spent the past 20+ years coaching college, semi-professional, and youth players in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Brazil.

Currently he is serving as the Girls Director and Director of College Recruitment for Team Chicago Soccer Club in Naperville, IL. In this capacity he is overseeing the girls program and the college search process and providing support to all Team Chicago players and serving as the connection with college coaches across the country.

Coach Nielsen returned to Team Chicago in 2019 after spending the past year as the Academy Director for Cincinnati Development Academy. Prior to that he spent 9 1/2 years as the Technical Director for Team Chicago and Executive Director-Soccer for Wheatland Athletic Association.

Coach Nielsen served as the assistant coach for U.S. U23 Women's National Team at the 2018 Nordic Cup in Norway and has served as a scout for the U23 Women's National Team and the U17 Girls' Natinoal Team since 2015. He is also deeply involved in Region II ODP serving as a Senior Staff Coach since 2005. 

From 2000 until 2008 he was at the helm of Smith College Soccer, while simultaneously coaching within the Region II ODP program and the Massachusetts & Michigan state ODP programs. Prior to taking over at Smith College he was the Head Coach of nationally-ranked Kalamazoo College.

Coach Nielsen spent 4+ months in Brazil in the spring & summer of 2007. First with the 1989 & 1990 Region II ODP teams, then working with Team Chicago Brasil (a girls & women's soccer club) in Rio de Janeiro, and finally he completed a 3-week internship with Cruzeiro (one of Brazil's most famous clubs, which developed Brazilian National Team stars such as Ronaldo, Cris, and Fred).

Coach Nielsen has obtained coaching licenses from U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the Danish Football Association (DBU), and his UEFA Badge from the Scottish FA (SFA).

For the 2019-20 Season Coach Nielsen is serving as the Head Coach of the following Team Chicago Academy teams:

U19 Girls Team Chicago Academy-2001 Elite

U18 Girls Team Chicago Academy-2002 Elite

U17 Girls Team Chicago Academy-2003 Elite

If you would like to talk to Coach Nielsen about your possible future with the Team Chicago Academy, please do not hesitate to contact him by phone, or E-mail.

Girls Director/Director of College Recruitment

Phil H. Nielsen

Phone: (413) 587-2627

E-mail: [email protected]





Alan Cross- Youth Director

Email: [email protected]
Cell: 630.770.0187

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2006 Elite Girls
Team Chicago 2008 Elite Girls
Team Chicago 2009 Elite Girls
Team Chicago 2010 Elite Girls

Alan Cross joined Team Chicago as Youth Director in August of 2019.  Alan spent five seasons with Lombard Firebirds where he coached multiple teams and age groups from U7-U23 over the past five seasons.

Alan has administrative duties including helping set program standards and guidelines and assisting all younger Team Chicago teams.  Alan is working towards his UEFA ‘B’ license and also is working his way up the US Soccer Coaching License pathway.  He has a Sports Coaching and Administrative degree.  A native of Scotland, Alan lives in Plainfield.

James Van Artsdalen- Director of Goalkeeping

Email: [email protected]

Team Chicago is pleased to announce the addition of James Van Artsdalen as the Director of Goalkeeping for the 2019-20 season. James is an experienced goalkeeper trainer and director. He is a current assistant coach with the women’s soccer program at Elmhurst College, is a member of Illinois Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program staff and most recently was the Head of Goalkeeping for the Lombard Firebirds.

James played in the Chicagoland area as a youth player before going on the play at Lake Forest College and Wittenburg University in Ohio. He went on the play in Costa Rica with Club Deportivo Barrio Mexico in the 2nd division. He has also coached at the Springfield Thunder (OH), been a staff coach at the PAWS Goalkeeper Academy and worked with the Chicago Fire Player Development Program.

Team Chicago Technical Director Dave Lovercheck had this to say: “James is an experienced, motivated young coach who will bring great work ethic and the ability to push our goalkeepers to improve on a daily basis. I am pleased to add him to our outstanding staff for the 2019-20 season.”

James is completing his US Soccer Federation ‘C’ License and is enrolled in Northwestern University’s Masters of Sports Administration program.

John Rizzo

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2007 Premier
Team Chicago 2011 Boys

Playing Experience - 30 years
- Rockford United Soccer Club
- Rockford Boylan Catholic High School
- Goal Keeper for Eastern IL University
- Goal Keeper for Semi-Pro Rockford Raptors
- Currently play in the Indoor National League at Odeum

Coaching Experience -16 years
- Assistant/Goalkeeper coach Rockford Boylan High School
- Assistant/Goalkeeper coach Lake Zurich High School
- Assistant/Goalkeeper coach Eastern IL University
- Assistant/Goalkeeper coach Northern IL University

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Greg Frederick- Staff Coach

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Teams:
Team Chicago Academy-2004 Premier
Team Chicago Academy-2005 Premier

Greg comes from Bolingbrook Raiders Soccer Club where he has been a very successful coach for the past four years. His coaching experience also includes stints at Naperville Central H.S., Illinois Math and Science Academy, and Marcus H.S. in Flower Mound, TX.

Greg played NCAA Division II soccer at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL just outside St. Louis where he earned a bachelor degree in Business Management. Outside of coaching soccer, Greg owns his own company – The Pickle Guy Inc. – which is headquartered in Lisle, IL.

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Magno Barreto

Magno up playing soccer in Bahia, Brasil. Magno is the Team Chicago Skills Coach in addition to being the PlayUSA Skills Camp Director and the manager of the PlayUSA Indoor Soccer Facility.

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Joe Moreau

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Team
Team Chicago Academy-2003 Premier

High School playing experience: Detroit Catholic Central High School, 1978-1981
College Playing experience: Central Michigan University, 1982-1985
College Coaching: Central Michigan University, 1986

High School Coaching; Assistant Coach, St. Charles High School, 1990-1994
Head Coach, St. Charles High School, 1995-2002
Assistant Coach, Neuqua Valley High School, 2003-2005
Head Coach, Neuqua Valley High School, 2006-present

Club Coaching: St. Charles Soccer Club, Campton United Soccer Club, Fox Valley Striker Soccer Club, America's Soccer Club, Team Chicago Soccer, Club Helena

Accomplishments: Most Valuable Player, Catholic Central HS, 1981
Most Valuable Forward, Central Michigan University, 1985 Assistant Coach of Illinois High School State Champions 1990, 1992, 1994 at St. Charles. Assistant Coach of Illinois High School 3rd place finishers 1993 at St. Charles. Head Coach of Illinois High School State Champions 1996, 97, 98, 99, 00 at St. Charles. Head Coach of Illinois High School 3rd place finishers 1995 at St. Charles. Assistant Coach of Illinois High School State Champions 2005 at Neuqua Valley. Assistant Coach of Illinois High School Quarter-Finalist 2003 at Neuqua Valley. Illinois and Mid-West Coach of the year, 1998

Personal: Born and raised in Michigan, married and have a daughter, Sophia.




Martin Harris- Staff Coach

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Teams
Team Chicago Academy-2006 Elite Boys
Team Chicago 2010 Elite and Premier Boys

 


Ed Leon- Staff Coach

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Team
Team Chicago Academy-2001 Premier

Mike Bastida- Staff Coach

Email: [email protected]

2019-20 Team:
Team Chicago 2008 Premier Boys


Kenni Greaves- Staff Coach

email: [email protected]

2019-20 Teams:
Team Chicago Academy-2005 Select
Team Chicago Academy-2007 Premier Boys