DPL Clubs near Downers Grove, Illinois

Chicago City Soccer Club (CITY) is a youth soccer organization operating across the Chicagoland area. Established in 2013, CITY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving families and soccer players. The club provides youth and pre-professional programming, offering a full player pathway for both girls and boys. Chicago City SC is recognized for its "CITY CARE model," which emphasizes Communities, Athletes, Relationships, and Ethos, fostering a unique soccer community through long-term holistic development. The club focuses on comprehensive player development, incorporating aspects such as game understanding, sports psychology, diet, and fitness. Chicago City SC participates in top competitive leagues and platforms, including ECNL, EA, DPL, and E64. Additionally, the organization fields senior teams in USL League Two for men and the USL W League for women, providing a clear progression for its players. The club was also recognized as "Best of Chicago 2023" by the Chicago Reader.

Leagues: ECNL RL Boys | Pre-ECNL | NPL | USYS-NL | | DPL

Chicago Fire Youth SC (CFYSC) is a prominent youth soccer organization based in Chicago, Illinois, serving as the official youth club affiliate of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire FC. Established in 2004, the club provides a direct pathway to professional soccer through its affiliation with the MLS club. Its purpose is to create an environment that offers opportunities for Chicago's youth to learn and develop through sport and become lifelong soccer fans. CFYSC offers comprehensive programming for boys and girls aged 5 to 19, including Sparks (6U-7U), 8U In-House, Foundation (8U-10U), Developmental (11U-14U), and Performance (15U-19U) phases. The club operates with professionally licensed coaches and dedicated full-time staff at premier facilities, including the Endeavor Health Fire Pitch. Teams compete in top-tier competitive platforms such as MLS Next and the USYS National League, alongside various regional and national league events. CFYSC is an integral part of the Chicago Fire Player Development Program, offering a progressive developmental structure from introductory play to elite youth play and into professional academy formats. The club emphasizes preparing players for college soccer and provides a clear pathway to the Chicago Fire Academy and potential professional debuts. A holistic player development model, focusing on technical skills, tactical understanding, and personal growth, distinguishes the club.

Leagues: MLS Next 2 | NPL | DPL

Chicago Rush Soccer Club is a premier youth soccer organization operating in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois, with locations in the North, South, and Oswego regions. As part of the Rush Soccer network, the world's largest youth soccer club with over 110 affiliates globally, Chicago Rush delivers integrated programming across multiple sites. The club has built a robust presence through its commitment to player growth from grassroots to elite levels. It serves players from beginner youth ages through advanced competitive groups, spanning a wide range of developmental stages. A key distinction is its comprehensive Player Development Pyramid, which uniquely positions the club in Illinois by offering seamless progression from local recreational play to national and international competition. Chicago Rush emphasizes community integration by partnering with schools, park districts, churches, and local providers to deliver after-school programs, seasonal clinics, and summer camps. The club's elite teams compete in top-tier youth leagues and events within the national soccer framework, providing direct pathways to collegiate and professional opportunities. This structure ensures players receive high-quality training and exposure tailored to their advancement toward professional soccer.

Leagues: NPL | DPL

Chicago Kics Football Club (KICS FC) is a youth soccer organization operating in the heart of Chicago. The club offers a comprehensive player pathway for boys and girls, with programs serving toddlers as young as two years old up to U-19 club teams. KICS FC provides a variety of programs including recreational leagues, travel teams, and specialized clinics. A key feature of the club is its stated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to empower players from all backgrounds. The organization also prides itself on a professional coaching staff, with members holding licenses from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and European bodies. For its highest level of competition, the club offers an academy program that competes in the Elite Academy (EA) league and the Development Player League (DPL) for ages U13-U19. Teams also participate in leagues such as the USYS National League. KICS FC provides a pathway to professional play through its pre-professional teams for men and women, which compete in the UPSL and WPSL respectively.

Leagues: USYS-NL | DPL

Chicago Empire FC is an elite youth soccer organization operating in the Chicagoland suburbs. Established in 2016, the club was founded by soccer professionals and employs a full-time coaching staff holding national and international licenses. The club aims to provide the premier youth soccer development program in the area, focusing on technical proficiency, tactical understanding, and mental toughness. Chicago Empire FC serves a wide range of age groups for both boys and girls, with teams from U7 through U19. A key feature of the club is its commitment to developing athletes with strong character, integrity, and a desire to compete. The club has grown to include over 1100 players across two locations. For its elite platforms, the girls' program participates in the E64 and DPL, while the boys compete in the E64 RL. The organization's stated goal is to develop players to reach their athletic goals at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Leagues: DPL

Chicagoland United Soccer Club (CUSC) is a youth soccer organization operating in the southern and southwestern suburbs of Chicago, including Orland Park, Frankfort, and Bourbonnais, Illinois. The club received its tax-exempt status in June 2022. CUSC provides a range of soccer programs for boys and girls from ages 7 to 19 years old, with recreational programs starting as young as 3 years old. The club's mission is to offer well-organized soccer instruction that fosters player development in a competitive and supportive environment, aiming to develop players from grassroots levels through to college. Chicagoland United SC offers various levels of play to accommodate different commitment and skill levels, including Premier Travel, Select Travel, and Recreational soccer. A notable feature of the club is its structured pathway for player advancement. Their top competitive teams participate in national and regional leagues, providing exposure to high levels of competition. For its elite players, Chicagoland United SC competes in the USYS National League, offering a platform for teams to compete against other top clubs. Additionally, the club participates in the USL Youth league, which provides a competitive summer season for continued player development against elite competition in the Midwest Region. This allows players the opportunity to compete for a National Championship.

Leagues: DPL