Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo midfielder Zoey Goralski has been named National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Youth All-American for the 2nd year in a row. Zoey is the only player from Illinois named to this year’s All-America, Team and one of only three players from Region II (Midwest).

This also marks the second year in a row that Zoey completes the double as both NSCAA Youth and NSCAA H.S. All-American.

The NSCAA All-America Team is listed here http://www.nscaa.com/awards/youth/2012-youth-girls-all-america

Team Chicago Academy-Nautico had a great showing this past weekend at the Germantown Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee. Playing on saturated fields in front of dozens of coaches, the girls won their group with a final record of 2-0-1. They stubbornly refused to submit to the conditions and patiently kept to their style of passing while showing off their skill, depth, versatility, as well as the flare Team Chicago is known for.

The first game was against Warren County United where the girls flew out of the gates scoring all 3 goals in the first 20 minutes. The first two were in the run of play with nice finishes from Tracey McCoy and Kristen Eichamer, and the 3rd was off a deep corner from Lindsay Van Blaricom.

The second game was the best and most challenging of the 3. Playing Tennessee’s #6 ranked ’96 Lady Lobos Rush Nike under the lights and in front of a healthy group of college coaches, Nautico persisted through injuries, a physical opponent, and a messy field to a 2-2 draw with goals from forward Sabrina Georgeff and a second tournament goal from Tracey McCoy.

In the third and final game Nautico faced off against the United ’96 FC International where the midfield controlled the majority of the game. This led to goals from Kristen Eichamer and Sabrina Georgeff and a 2-1 victory which put them on top of the group.

The defense was strong with Katelyn Laraia in goal and Emily Curtis, Rachel Pavlinec, Lexi Boyer, Lindsay Van Blaricom, and Kristen Schneider sharing the 4 defensive duties. The passing brain is spread throughout the midfield which was played by Stephanie Kulczycki, Rachel Schneider, Kelly Shugh, Kristen Eichamer, Maddie Perna, and Nicole Gapen. And up top, the finishing was done in large part by the forwards Sabrina Georgeff and Tracey McCoy.

Team Chicago Academy-Santos midfielder Mary Rounce and her mother Laura feature prominently in award-winning director Steve James’ (Hoop Dreams) documentary Head Games about the prevalence of concussions in sports.

Mary and Laura will be hosting a special screening of the movie at Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove on Monday, January 14th at 7:30pm. Director Steve James will be joining them as will several other crew and cast members.

We would love to have as many Team Chicago players and families in attendance. Head Games is a must-see expose of concussions in youth, college, and professional sports. Attached is a flyer with more information.

Team Chicago Academy-Botafogo standouts Zoey Goralski and Zoe Swift have been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 2012 High School All-American Team. The honor is Goralski’s second as she was also named a 2011 All-American.

Zoey Goralski plays her prep soccer for Team Chicago Academy coach Joe Moreau at Neuqua Valley H.S. Zoe Swift led her Naperville North H.S. team to the 2012 IHSA State Championship.

Team Chicago Academy-Internacional and Team Chicago Academy-Santos wowed an impressive contingent of college coaches at the CASL Showcase in Raleigh, NC this past weekend.

Playing in near perfect weather conditions, and in front of more than 90 college coaches over their 3 games each, Santos and Internacional displayed great Team Chicago Academy style soccer on a difficult playing surface. The college coaches represented schools from top Division I, II, and III programs throughout the Midwest, South, and Northeast as well as top NAIA programs.

Santos tied Freestate Strikers 1-1 on Friday before beating HBC 1-0 Saturday, and Javanon 4-0 Sunday to emerge on top of its group. It is now Santos’ 3rd major National College Showcase in a row without a loss and an impressive 9-0-1 record.

Internacional lost 1-0 on the opening day to HBC, but then defeated Richmond Kickers 2-0 on Saturday, and tied a very strong Ohio Premier team 1-1 on Sunday.