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wilmettebeacon.com NEWS the wilmette beacon | March 14, 2019 | 17 Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 8 days ago Spartan FC excited to provide North Shore youth soccer ‘alternative’ experience Michal Dwojak Contributing Sports Editor Yianny Caparos and John Soltani want to give North Shore families a new opportunity when it comes to youth soccer. The two leaders of Northbrook’s Spartan FC soccer club have watched youth soccer in the area transform into a business rather than a place for young soccer players to grow. That’s why the two announced Spartan FC and the Eclipse Select Soccer Club have agreed to an elite and youth development partnership to establish Eclipse North. “A lot of people are looking for an alternative opportunity just to play for a soccer club, not just about business,” Caparos said. “They miss that personal touch, personal communication.” The move comes a year after youth soccer in the North Shore area has seen different headlines and drastic changes to the area’s lone soccer club FC United. Former coach Craig Snower left the club after players at Loyola Academy made allegations against the coach for inappropriate comments. Glenbrook South and FC United coach Seong Ha departed the school and club for personal reasons, but a 22nd Century Media investigation found parents had made complaints about the coach before his departure. Caparos and Soltani started Spartan FC in 2008 as its own entity that was affiliated with the Northbrook Park District, elevating it from a travel soccer team to club. The club became affiliated with FC United four years ago, with the importance placed on having Spartan FC represented. FC United made good on its word, according to the two, before there was a change in ownership a year and a half ago. That’s when new leadership released Soltani from his position with FC United and the club made changes to its organization from top to bottom. “We looked at that in August and realized in more ways than one, we weren’t aligned,” Caparos said. “It was important for us to figure what kind of pathway we can put together for our kids to make sure they’re successful with youth soccer.” Caparos decided Eclipse would be the perfect partnership for Spartan FC this past winter. He had a long relationship with the owner and knew there was a market in the North Shore given the recent changes. “I think FC United took things for granted,” Caparos said. “I think adding an Eclipse vehicle in the North Shore is healthy for everybody. The most important thing is to give people options. If you want to play soccer, don’t feel like you have to play somewhere because you don’t have any other options. It’s about finding the right need for you.” One of the advantages Spartan FC hopes to have is that it will allow members of its teams to play high school soccer, something many at FC United cannot do. During the past four years, Caparos and Soltani learned many youth soccer players wanted to be a part of their high school team but couldn’t. They believe high school soccer is an important variable in their development and learning apart from playing the game. As a father of a high school junior, Caparos watched how important it was for youth soccer players to have the opportunity to play high school soccer. “High school, you get to play stress-free, you have the competition, you’re 554ORCHARD LANE, WINNETKA NewPrice! Prime East Location! playing for your school colors, your playing with your fiends,” Caparos said. “It’s not about the level of play, it’s about playing together and learning how to succeed together.” The club alliance will begin this fall. This will be the third Eclipse satellite location added to the club in Chicagoland. Caparos and Soltani hope to have a town hall meeting in the near future to address the changes to the club and any questions players and parents might have. They also want to have a new leader named by March 24 at the latest. While there might be some challenges down the way, Spartan FC is excited to provide the North Shore soccer scene an alternative they think families deserve. OPEN SUNDAY 3/17 |1-3PM 5+ Bedrooms |4.1 Baths |60x165 Lot |$1,665,000 c: 847.707.9504 ALICJA.SKIBICKI@BAIRDWARNER.COM WWW.ALICJASKIBICKI.COM BAIRD &WARNER | 594 GREEN BAYROAD, WINNETKA | 847.446.1855 | BAIRDWARNER.COM
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