Sitch preps for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Julianne Sitch (Oswego, Ill.), one of the top local talents on the pitch in the Chicagoland area, is now excelling in a different competitive outlet following her professional career.

This Saturday, the former DePaul and Chicago Red Stars midfielder will be competing in Chattanooga, Tenn. in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

"I didn't know what I was going to do competitively after playing soccer, but I knew I wanted to stay in the competitive world and compete," Sitch told Zoie Clift at IRONMAN.com. "This gave me that avenue after I retired from playing."

For the full interview, visit IRONMAN.com.

Sprecher wins Marquette Invite; Albert rejoins U.S. U-15s

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and Marquette freshman forward Kylie Sprecher (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) was named the Marquette Invitational's top offensive player after helping the Golden Eagles capture the tournament crown this past weekend. She also was named the Big East Freshman of the Week.

Sprecher tallied her first collegiate goal to lift the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 victory against Central Michigan on Friday. The lone tally came in the 18th minute, with fellow Eclipse alum Carrie Madden (Deer Park, Ill.) crossing toward Darian Powell, who deflected back to Sprecher. She struck from 10 yards out to garner the 1-0 lead. Then on Sunday, Sprecher added an assist to Eli Beard's game-winner during a 2-0 victory against Mercer.

Among current Eclipse Select membership, midfielder Korbin Albert (Gurnee, Ill.) has been called into the U.S. U-15 Girls' National Team. This is Albert's third U-15 camp of the year.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select alumni Griffin, Moulton of Valpo sweep MVC honors

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - The NCAA season is underway, and that means a bevy of Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumni will be playing a significant part for their respective collegiate programs.

Standing out from this past weekend was a massive first impression in Missouri Valley Conference action as a pair of alumni were honored for their efforts.

Valpo junior forward Sydney Griffin (Hinsdale, Ill.) was named the MVC Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Week, tallying two goals and assisting another in her first two games. Not to be outdone, Eclipse alumna and Valpo junior goalkeeper Drew Moulton (Sycamore, Ill.) was the MVC Defensive Player of the Week after earning a pair of clean sheets.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Cali Clasico holds do-or-die implications for Galaxy, Quakes

By CHARLIE CORR
charlie.corr@mlssoccer.com

NEW YORK - Entering this week, the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy - two stories franchises in MLS grandeur - find themselves on the outside of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture if the campaign ended today. The Cali Clasico carries some added weight when the Galaxy host the Quakes on Sunday at StubHub Center.

In what could be seen as a do-or-die matchup with the regular season hitting its stretch run, the Quakes have the more optimistic shot at the postseason, while LA will need an impressive final stretch to work its way into the top six of the West standings.

For more, visit LAGalaxy.com.

Eclipse Select alumna Ben named to MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List

DePaul senior Alexa Ben

By CHARLIE CORR
slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna Alexa Ben (Schaumburg, Ill.), a senior midfielder with DePaul, has been named to the 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, it was announced Monday by the United Soccer Coaches and the Missouri Athletic Club.

Ben has had a tremendous career with the Blue Demons from the very start. She was the 2014 Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, the 2016 Big East Midfielder of the Year and is a two-time All-Big East First Team selection. Last year, she tallied seven goals and three assists.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Fire's Schweinsteiger voted captain for 2017 MLS All-Star Game

By CHARLIE CORR
charlie.corr@mlssoccer.com

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer today announced that Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been voted captain of the MLS All-Stars following the annual fan Snapchat vote.

Schweinsteiger will wear the captain’s armband as the best in MLS face Spanish giants Real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target next Wednesday, Aug. 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1, Univision, TSN, TVA Sports).

For more, visit mlssoccer.com.

Eclipse Select Newsletter - July 2017

By CHARLIE CORR

slidetackles@mail.com

CHICAGO - Revisit the amazing accomplishments from the 2016-17 season with Eclipse Select Soccer Club’s annual newsletter. Highlights in the issue include the U-14 team’s amazing run to the ECNL National Final, Naperville native and alumna Casey Short’s run with the U.S. Women’s National Team, plus some elements to look forward to in 2017-18, including the some new staffing changes in the boys’ program and the inclusion of the Development Academy in Eclipse Select’s programming.

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.