Q&A: New Eclipse Select Director of Goalkeepers Jordan King

Eclipse Select's Jordan King

By CHARLIE CORR - slidetackles@mail.com

The Eclipse Select Soccer Club and NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars announced the hiring of 30-year-old former professional goalkeeper Jordan King as the new Goalkeeper Director. EclipseSelect.org spoke with “Jordi” King, who recently served in a goalkeeper coach capacity with the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team under the guidance of head coach B.J. Snow.

King began his dual duties with Eclipse Select and the Red Stars at the beginning of April. We delve into King’s first conversations with Eclipse Select President Rory Dames, his background, and how his demeanor and values mesh with the model embraced at Eclipse Select.

Q: How did the opportunity to join Eclipse Select and the Red Stars come about?
Jordan King: “I was with U.S. Soccer and working there part-time. I got to work with a bunch of high-quality goalkeepers, and that really opened my eyes to what else is out there. When I got this opportunity from Rory it was something that just was too good to pass up because it was Eclipse and it was the Red Stars as well. That made a big impact. The way that Rory sets up the club and kind of brings back old players, old goalkeepers, to train with the Red Stars, really was appealing to me because I do love to see the transition from club, to college to professional. To be able to work with all of that from a young age and then see them out all the way to that ultimate level was something that was really eye opening. That’s one of the main reasons that I decided to make this move. The players that I was working with privately back home and working with the national team, I would love to see them out, but the next step just wasn’t in my hands. Now, to be capable of making the decisions whether or not to bring them into the Red Stars is something that I think is an awesome opportunity for any coach to be able to do and see.”

For the full interview, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse partners with Athletico, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute

Eclipse Select Soccer Club is proud to announce partnerships with Athletico Physical Therapy and the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI).

Athletico is the official provider of physical therapy and athletic training for Eclipse Select. Athletico’s services will entail an athletic trainer on site for training sessions, games and travel with the club’s elite teams. IBJI is the club’s medical partner and is the Chicago area’s leader for orthopedic care.

“We’re excited to form these partnerships with Athletico and IBJI,” Eclipse Select President Rory Dames said. “This will give our players 24/7 access to the best and professional physical care. Athletico’s reach among the professional and collegiate ranks within the Midwest is unparalleled, and IBJI particularly has served top-level Chicago area soccer for many years, including the Chicago Red Stars. Our club’s elite athletes and staff are privileged to have the opportunity to work together.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select partners with Pass It On, Inc., to reach out to local youth

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club is proud to announce a partnership with non-profit Pass It On, Inc., a scholarship foundation that provides youth athletes with the opportunity to compete in club soccer despite his or her family's financial hardships.

Along with the partnership, Eclipse Select is also hosting a walkathon during its annual kick-off event on Sunday, Aug. 17, in Oak Brook, Ill., to raise funds for Pass It On that will go toward giving local youth players the chance to play for Eclipse Select.

Since our formation as a club in 1995, it has always been of great importance to give back to those without the means to afford such an experience," Eclipse Select President Rory Dames said. "The opportunity to play soccer and interact with our community-driven club has been worthwhile for everyone who has been involved with Eclipse Select, so it's important and it's also a privilege to reach out to those aspiring youth players through scholarships and fundraising efforts. We are excited about forming this partnership."

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Kecia Morway Jumps at Chicago Red Stars Opportunity

Kecia Morway

As the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Red Stars prepare for their 2014 season, a familiar face is hoping to make her leap to the professional ranks.

Defender and Lake Villa, Ill., native Kecia Morway just wrapped up her tenure at Colorado College, and the Eclipse Select alumna is now testing her game to the fullest with the hopes of joining the Red Stars.

“I have never banked on having a soccer career after it was over,” Morway said. “But right now, I’m not ready to leave my cleats behind. This is a good opportunity, and I can’t pass it up. You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get.”

Morway’s name was up for consideration during the 2014 NWSL Draft in January, though she said that she was not expecting a team to select her. Following the draft, Morway reached out to her longtime club coach, Eclipse Select President and Red Stars head coach Rory Dames.

“I expressed interest to him that I still wanted to try and continue to play,” Morway said. “Obviously having Rory as a coach for so many years growing up, he knows my capabilities and didn’t want me to stop playing. I am willing to put the time and effort into doing this, and so I decided after my spring semester to give this a shot.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Eclipse Select Introduces Class of 2014 on National Signing Day

Members of Eclipse Select's Class of 2014

CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2014) – Eclipse Select Soccer Club is proud to introduce its 2014 Class following Wednesday’s National Signing Day, as 18 club players are currently committed to play for their respective collegiate programs starting this fall.

“I just want to congratulate the Eclipse Select Class of 2014 on this special occasion and important moment as student-athletes,” Eclipse Select President Rory Dames said. “Every year, this is a proud moment for me, the staff and everyone involved in the Eclipse family. The players’ dedication and commitment to the club and this sport is unwavering, and we have every reason to believe their success will continue at college and beyond.”

For more, visit EclipseSelect.org.

New York Times: Eclipse Select's Rory Dames on early recruiting

Eclipse Select President Rory Dames

Eclipse Select President Rory Dames was recently interviewed by the New York Times for its piece, "Commiting to Play for a College, Then Starting 9th Grade." Here is a snippet:

"The early recruiting system has given significant power to club coaches, who serve as gatekeepers and agents for their players. One of the most outspoken critics of this process is Rory Dames, the coach of one of the most successful youth club teams, the Chicago Eclipse. ... Dames generally refuses to connect colleges with girls before their sophomore year in high school, when he thinks they are too young to be making decisions about what college to attend."

Read the full article at NYTimes.com.

Trib Local: Eclipse Select soccer enjoys successful September

Jeff Vorva/Tribune photo

By Jeff Vorva
Tribune reporter

The Eclipse Select Soccer Club’s five elite girls teams combined for a 23-3-3 record through September, including an 8-1-1 mark in Kansas last weekend.

The organization is based in Oak Brook and uses several practice sites throughout the Chicago suburbs. Players who make the elite squads come from various locations, including Indiana, Wisconsin and Champaign.

“We have totally committed kids,” Eclipse President and coach Rory Dames said. “Besides family and school, this is their top priority. They want to play and hopefully use soccer as a vehicle to get into a good school or financially offset college costs. They are willing to put the time and energy to work here trying to fulfill those dreams.”

Read more at TribLocal.com.

Red Stars' Weissenhofer named WPSL Midwest Co-Player of Year

By Chicago Red Stars and WPSL Communications

Chicago Red Stars forward Michele Weissenhofer (Naperville, Ill.) was named the Women's Premier Soccer League Midwest Co-Player of the Year, and Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames was named WPSL Midwest Coach of the Year after guiding Chicago to a runner-up finish in the 2011 WPSL National Championship on July 31 at Benedictine University.

Weissenhofer, Red Stars midfielder Amanda Cinalli (Cleveland, Ohio) and Red Stars defender Jackie Santacaterina (Geneva, Ill.) were named to the All-Midwest Team.

Weissenhofer shared the Midwest honor with FC Milwaukee Nationals forward Sarah Hagen. Weissenhofer had 10 goals and 10 assists during the 2011 campaign, and she factored into all of the Red Stars' goals during the WPSL Semifinal and Championship.

Read more at WPSL.info.

Kane County Chronicle: Red Stars' Ewing reunites with club coach

Julie Ewing -- Chicago Red Stars

By Eric Van Dril
Kane County Chronicle

When newly appointed Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames asked Julie Ewing to join his team this summer, it provided the Batavia graduate an opportunity to play alongside some of the region’s best collegiate players in a somewhat nostalgic role.

Before attending the University of Illinois, Ewing was typically a midfielder or forward for Dames’ Eclipse Select Soccer Club. Ewing has primarily been an outside defender on the Fighting Illini’s back line during the last three years.

This summer has been different.

With a deep knowledge of her strengths, especially, according to Dames, “her rare creativeness and cleverness on the field,” Ewing has been playing outside-midfielder for the Red Stars this summer.

Read the full article at KCChronicle.com.

Red Stars join WPSL for 2011

J. Santacaterina, E. Weber, M. Weissenhofer

The Chicago Red Stars are joining the Women's Premier Soccer League for the 2011 season. The Red Stars played during the Women's Professional Soccer league's 2009 and 2010 seasons, and the organization elected to take a hiatus from WPS to shore up its investment group.

The team takes the pitch in the WPSL throughout June and July, with two home games taking place on July 2 and 10 at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, 5700 College Road, in west suburban Lisle, Ill. Tickets are $10 for general admission seating. For more information, visit www.ChicagoRedStars.com.

The Red Stars roster will include former Atlanta Beat and St. Louis Athletica forward Amanda Cinalli (a Notre Dame alumna); Geneva, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars midfielder Jackie Santacaterina (a University of Illinois alumna); Elk Grove, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars defender Elise Weber (Notre Dame); Naperville, Ill., native and 2010 Red Stars forward Michele Weissenhofer (Notre Dame); Aurora, Ill., native and 2011 All-Big East Conference First Team midfielder Bri Rodriguez (West Virginia); former Chicago Red Eleven midfielder and current Lewis University (Romeoville, Ill.) women's assistant coach Kara Kabellis; and Batavia, Ill., native and recent University of Illinois defender Julie Ewing.

The Red Stars will be coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development, Rory Dames.

Read more at WPSL.info.