Registration - New Date: 11/28/09

Thank you for your interest in playing for the HS Celtics in Spring 2010.

The new registration date is Saturday, November 28th. Registration will take place at Olympia Park from noon to 2:30pm. Here is a link to the park's location: Olympia Park

New players please bring a copy of your birth certificate.
All players please bring medical insurance information and insurance card.

More information is available at:

2010 HS Tryout and Registration Information

If you have any questions about our team for Spring 2010, please contact me (torresJ@aol.com) or our administrator (bruno@edisonparkyouth.org) via email.

The EPY website is at: www.CelticFCChicago.com

Thank you once again
JT

Registration To Be Rescheduled

Due to the need to recalculate fees, the registration has been put on hold. Please check back as we will reschedule the registration as soon as possible.

You may check this site as well as the Edison Park Youth site for more details - www.CelticFCChicago.com

Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Registration Reminder

Thank you for attending our tryout and for your interest in playing for the HS Celtics in Spring 2010.

Our administrator will be posting the names of players who made the team on the EPY website by the end of the week. The EPY website is at: www.CelticFCChicago.com

This is in preparation for the registration to be held on Thursday, November 5th. Registration will take place at Olympia Park from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Here is a link to the park's location: Olympia Park

New players please bring a copy of your birth certificate.
All players please bring medical insurance information and insurance card.

More information is available at:

2010 HS Tryout and Registration Information

If you have any questions about our team for Spring 2010, please contact me (torresJ@aol.com) or our administrator (bruno@edisonparkyouth.org) via email.

Thank you once again
JT

Tryout Reminder & IHSA Playoff Update

Our tryout for the spring Edison Park Celtic HS age team will be held:

Sunday Oct 25th from 2 to 4pm at Olympia Park (6566 N Avondale Ave in Chicago).

Here is a link to the park's location: Olympia Park

Please pass this along to your school teammates who are serious about playing in the Spring time. We need to see everybody to determine if we have enough players for a team in Spring 2010.
--------------------------------------------



Here are the initial IHSA playoff results for our players:

Skokie (Niles North) Regional
St. Patrick 2 Prosser 0

Winnetka (New Trier) Regional
Taft 3 Foreman 2

Chicago (Amundsen) Regional
Gordon Tech 5 Noble Street 2

Wilmette (Loyola Academy) Regional
Notre Dame 1 Northside 0

... and the upcoming matches for next week:

Chicago (Amundsen) Regional
Mon., Oct. 19
Match 2 at 4:00 pm: (3) Chicago (Noble Street Charter/Pritzker) vs. (14) Chicago (Gordon Tech)

Winnetka (New Trier) Regional
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 2 at 5:00 pm: (1) Winnetka (New Trier) vs. (17) Chicago (Taft)
Match 3 at 7:00 pm: (8) Park Ridge (Maine East) vs. (9) Chicago (Lane)


Wilmette (Loyola Academy) Regional
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 2 at 5:00 pm: (3) Wilmette (Loyola Academy) vs. (14) Niles (Notre Dame)

Skokie (Niles West) Regional
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 2 at 7:00 pm: (5) Skokie (Niles West) vs. (11) Chicago (Von Steuben)

Skokie (Niles North) Regional
Wed., Oct. 21
Match 2 at 4:30 pm: (2) Des Plaines (Maine West) vs. (15) Chicago (St. Patrick)

Berwyn-Cicero (Morton) Regional
Wed., Oct. 21
Match 3 at 3:30 pm: (8) Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) vs. (9) Chicago (Kelly)

Good luck to all!

IHSA Playoffs Start This Week!

Here are the initial IHSA playoff matchups for our players:

Chicago (Amundsen) Regional
Fri., Oct. 16
Match 1 at TBA: (19) Chicago (Noble Street Charter) at (14) Chicago (Gordon Tech)

Skokie (Niles North) Regional
Fri., Oct. 16
Match 1 at 4:00 pm: (18) Chicago (Prosser) at (15) Chicago (St. Patrick)

Winnetka (New Trier) Regional
Fri., Oct. 16
Match 1 at 4:00 pm: (17) Chicago (Taft) at (16) Chicago (Foreman)
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 3 at 7:00 pm: (8) Park Ridge (Maine East) vs. (9) Chicago (Lane)

Wilmette (Loyola Academy) Regional
Sat., Oct. 17
Match 1 at 6:00 pm: (19) Chicago (Northside) at (14) Niles (Notre Dame)
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 2 at 5:00 pm: (3) Wilmette (Loyola Academy) vs. Winner Match 1

Skokie (Niles West) Regional
Tue., Oct. 20
Match 2 at 7:00 pm: (5) Skokie (Niles West) vs. (11) Chicago (Von Steuben)

Berwyn-Cicero (Morton) Regional
Wed., Oct. 21
Match 3 at 3:30 pm: (8) Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) vs. (9) Chicago (Kelly)

Good luck to all!

Tryout Date - October 25th

Our tryout for the spring Edison Park Celtic HS age team will be held:

Sunday Oct 25th from 2 to 4pm at Olympia Park (6566 N Avondale Ave in Chicago).

Here is a link to the park's location: Olympia Park

Please pass this along to your school teammates who are serious about playing in the Spring time. We need to see everybody to determine if we have enough players for a team in Spring 2010.

IHSA Schedules for Our U17 Players

Here are links to the high school schedules for our team members:

Gordon Tech HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/nj78h9

Lane Tech HS Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/kon367

Loyola HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/nn4h5j

Notre Dame HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/l3mn68

St. Ignatius HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/m2y5j2

St.Patrick HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/lr4gjs

Von Steuben HS schedule: http://tinyurl.com/nr5xtj

















Hope you can get a chance to see our Celtics players in action for their high school teams.

Vs. Chargers FC - 5/30/09

with thanks to photographer Janet Mesic-Mackie

Vs. Chargers FC - 5/17/09

with thanks to photographer Janet Mesic-Mackie

Magnificent Seven

The "Magnificent Seven" saved our Edison Park Celtic FC 91A team from suffering its first forfeit in eight years of existence.

These players showed up and battled their way through a match against NIFC in DeKalb making the 120 mile round trip to preserve our good name -- and to avoid a major fine for our club.

Congratulations to these players and the parents who came out to the match.

Final match of the season is Sunday June 7th in Glendale Heights at 11:00am. Link to directions are below. Be there.

Time Change Alert

After Sunday's time mixup, I decided to confirm the kickoff time for our remaining matches so we don't arrive too early or worse, too late.

After several emails back & forth today with the team managers of both teams, I've found that both our matches have time changes.

So, our schedule for this weekend is as follows:



Saturday June 6th at NIFC at 3:00pm in DeKalb
NIFC field: http://tinyurl.com/dhcz2c
(about 1 hour & 15 minutes from Olympia Park)



Sunday June 7th at American Eagles at 11:00am in Glendale Heights
American Eagles field: http://tinyurl.com/c33ftv
(about 35 minutes from Olympia Park)

At this time, I know that we will be missing three players on Saturday and one player on Sunday. Please be sure to notify me if you will not be able to attend. Please let me know by Friday early evening if you'll need a ride from me.

Please note that we also have a training session scheduled for Monday June 8th at 7:30 at Olympia Park with our trainer. I hope more players will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to work with our trainer from Future Pros.

Sorry for all these changes. Believe me, I understand that this is very frustrating. I'm just glad that we have some time to adjust our schedules this time.

thanks

More Close Matches!

Two matches. Two draws.

This weekend's results again showed us what a competitive division we have. Both results could have gone either way but we settled for a 5-5 draw with FC Chargers and a 1-1 draw with American Soccer Knights.

Great effort in both matches from all our players and due to Sunday's time mixup we even had a short tactical training session.

We wrap up the season this weekend with our final two matches.
More on that later.

Two Matches This Weekend

Our upcoming matches are :

Saturday May 30th at 5:30 against Chargers FC in Westchester
Map link: http://tinyurl.com/c2lntj
and
Sunday May 31st at 3:00 against American SC in Mt Prospect
Map link: http://tinyurl.com/c786jm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also we have training sessions set for Monday June 1st and Monday June 8th from 7:30 to 9:00pm at Olympia Park (6566 N Avondale in Chicago - Map link: http://tinyurl.com/puaxjx )

Mid Season Update - Memorial Day Weekend

No matches this Memorial Day weekend.

So, our upcoming matches are :

Saturday May 30th at 5:30 against Chargers FC in Westchester
Map link: http://tinyurl.com/c2lntj
and
Sunday May 31st at 3:00 against American SC in Mt Prospect
Map link: http://tinyurl.com/c786jm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We're halfway through our season and I'm pleased with the way our season is progressing. With a few corrections, our team could easily be undefeated. More importantly, we are playing a good brand of football and seem to have developed a nice team spirit with a good attitude toward each other. Our players with previous Celtics experience are playing well and helping to bring the new players into our fold. The new and younger players are responding well, making great contributions to our team effort. All and all, it has been entertaining to watch our team come together.

From Sunday's game, I think it shows that our players have a "never give up" spirit in their make up. Down 3-0 in the second half with the team's number 1 keeper out injured, many teams would have quit - but not our players.

Staging a comeback that would remind some Liverpool fans of a match a few years ago in the Champions League Final, our U17 players fought back to draw even at 3-3 with about five minutes left in the match. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold the lead but our players still pressed for the equalizer - with only ten players - throughout the five minutes of added time.

It was an effort that underlines the fact that this is a very competitive division with very little separating one team from the other.

We can look forward to four more good matches starting next week with a rematch against Chargers FC.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finally, with the school year winding down, school sports seasons are coming to an end as well. So, I would like to schedule a few more training sessions so that our players get more work with professional trainers. I hope this will help them improve their overall game and help them to prepare for their Fall HS soccer season. Right now, we have two dates set up and more may follow if we get decent attendance.

They are: Monday June 1st and Monday June 8th from 7:30 to 9:00pm at Olympia Park.
If there are any changes to the location, I will post that to the website and via email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you and have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Next Match vs. Chargers FC

Next match Sunday at St. Joseph HS against Chargers FC.

The match is at 4:00pm at 10900 W. Cermak Road in Westchester.

Map of location is at: http://tinyurl.com/c2lntj

Directions indicate the drive from Olympia Park in Chicago is about 25-30 minutes. Please allow enough time to arrive at field at 3:15. Upon arrival, immediately get shoes & shin guards on and start stretching.

Please remember, black shorts & black socks are part of our uniform.

If you know that you will not be able to attend the match, please notify me by Saturday afternoon.

2-0 Victory vs ALITHSA

We had a great team effort early this morning in Lake in the Hills resulting in a 2-0 victory for our U17 team. Our defense played well and our jovial goalkeeper kept a clean sheet dealing with tricky windy conditions. All our midfielders put in nice efforts to help the defenders and press our attack. Our forwards harried their defenders and forced them to give up the ball on several occasions. We had two nicely taken goals to seal the victory. All and all, it was a total team effort from start to finish. Very well played Celtics!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and thank you for raising such good players and outstanding young men. You should be very proud of them and the teamwork & effort they display.

Our next match is currently scheduled for Saturday May 30th however we have a postponed match to reschedule. I'm working with the other coach to see if we could play that match next Sunday May 17th. Watch for more emails this week and check the blog website.

Hope you have a great remainder of the day.

Next Match at ALITHSA on Sunday May10th

The match will be at Le Roy Guy Park at Spencer Place and Lakewood Road in Lake in the Hills. The match will be played at 8:45am. Early start, so get plenty of rest on Saturday night.

Map of the location is at:
http://tinyurl.com/c8ftbv

Directions indicate the drive from Olympia Park in Chicago is about 50-55 minutes. Please allow enough time to arrive at field at 8:15. Upon arrival, immediately get shoes & shin guards on and start stretching.

Since we are not practicing during the week, it's important that everybody arrives early so we can discuss basic formation assignments, general team standards and so I can see who is available to play. We also want to be organized and ready to play with a purpose right from the opening kickoff.

Please remember, black shorts & black socks are part of our uniform.

If you know that you will not be able to attend the match, please notify me by Saturday evening.

Next Match vs. Oak Park River Forest on Sunday 5/3

The match will be at Oak Park River Forest HS at 201 N Scoville in Oak Park. The match will be played at 6:00pm. Please note that both the location and time have changed.

Map of the location is at: http://tinyurl.com/d79rtz

Directions indicate the drive from Olympia Park in Chicago is about 30-35 minutes. Please allow enough time to arrive at field at 5:15. Upon arrival, immediately get shoes & shin guards on and start stretching.

Since we are not practicing during the week, it's important that everybody arrives early so we can discuss basic formation assignments, corner kick offense & defense and general team standards.

Please remember, black shorts & black socks are part of our uniform.

Also, please do not arrive and start shooting at the goal. Only two players will be designated to practice with goalkeeper. Returning players know what I mean.

If you know that you will not be able to attend the match, please notify me by Saturday evening.

Today's Match is Cancelled

The match scheduled for 2:00pm in Westchester has been cancelled due to poor field conditions.

No word yet on a reschedule date.

Next Match vs Chargers FC

Next match Sunday at St. Joseph HS against Chargers FC.

The match is at 2:00pm at 10900 W. Cermak Road in Westchester.

Map of location is at: http://tinyurl.com/c2lntj


Directions indicate the drive from Olympia Park in Chicago is about 25-30 minutes. Please allow enough time to arrive at field at 1:15. Upon arrival, immediately get shoes & shin guards on and start stretching.

Since we are not practicing during the week, it's important that everybody arrives early so we can discuss basic formation assignments, corner kick offense & defense and general team standards.

Please remember, black shorts & black socks are part of our uniform.

Also, please do not arrive and start shooting at the goal. Only two players will be designated to practice with goalkeeper. Returning players know what I mean.

If you know that you will not be able to attend the match, please notify me by Saturday evening.

ELA v Edison Park Celtic FC - April 19th

On a cold windy rainy Sunday morning in Lake Zurich, our Edison Park U17 team kicked off its 2009 season. The result was a 2-1 defeat but on the whole, I think our players have to be pleased with their effort.

After only a few practices together (most indoors and never a full squad) the team started to develop a nice tempo of play midway through the first half. The second half saw our side control possession and generate numerous chances. Only a sure handed ELA goalkeeper prevented our side from drawing even or taking the lead by match end.

All and all, it was a good first effort and gave us a nice foundation to build upon this season.

Sorry, no photos or video from the match - too cold and wet for delicate equipment. Thanks to all fans who braved the elements to watch the match.

Next match Sunday in Westchester against Chargers FC.
The match is at 2:00pm but I urge all players to arrive early, ready to warmup at 1:15pm.
See you there.

Sunday June 7th Location Change

The final match of the season has been relocated to a different field.

The match on June 7th will be played at

Marquardt Middle School
1860 Glen Ellyn Road in Glendale Heights

Below is a link to the MapQuest location:
http://tinyurl.com/c33ftv

Sunday: First Match of Spring 2009 Season

Our first match of the Spring 2009 Season is a couple days away:

Sunday April 19th at 11:00am at ELA
23600 N Echo Lake Rd
Lake Zurich, Il. 60047-9029

Link to MapQuest page for field:
http://tinyurl.com/c4ylbp


Directions indicate the drive from Olympia Park in Chicago is about 45-50 minutes.
Please allow enough time to arrive at field at 10:15. Upon arrival, immediately get shoes & shin guards on and start stretching.

Since we have not had a practice with the full team, it's important that everybody arrives early so we can discuss basic formation assignments, corner kick offense & defense and general team standards. I will also need to distribute shirts.

Please remember, black shorts & black socks are part of our uniform.

Also, please do not arrive and start shooting at the goal. Returning players know what I mean.

If you know that you will not be able to attend the match, please notify me by Saturday evening.

See you at the field.

Practice on Saturday April 11th

Practice will be held outdoors at Edison School this Saturday April 11th from 2-4pm.

The school is located at 6220 N Olcott Ave.
Map of school location: http://tinyurl.com/cq5vye

Please bring any outstanding paperwork, birth certificates or anything else we might need.

Video & Photos

Parents,

We can now post highlight videos of matches at the website. So, if you take any video footage of matches please pass them along.

I can still use some of the older photos from previous seasons if you have them - especially those team photos we usually take at the end of the season.

Thanks

Practice on Saturday April 11th

I'm still checking field conditions and weather forecasts to determine if we'll be indoors or outside for Saturday's practice.

Please check back Thursday afternoon for details.

Thank you.

Updated 2009 Spring Schedule

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunday April 19 at ELA (Lake Zurich) at 11:00am
Sunday April 26 at Chargers FC (Westchester) at 2:00pm
Sunday May 3 at OPRF (River Grove) at 5:00pm
Sunday May 10 at ALITHSA (Lake in the Hills) at 8:45am
Sunday May 17 at NIFC (DeKalb) at 11:00am
Saturday May 30 at Chargers FC (Westchester) at 4:00pm
Sunday May 31st at Amer. SC Knights (Mount Prospect) at 3:00pm
Sunday June 7th at American Eagles (Bloomingdale) at 3:00pm

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please note that the two matches in bold print have been changed from the original schedule.
The first match of the season (vs. ELA) has been moved from 4/18 to 4/19.
The match on 5/10 has had a time change to 8:45am.

Any questions please contact Coach Torres.

Practice on Sunday April 5th

Players & Parents,

Sorry about the confusion with the previous post.

After reviewing our practice field possibilities yesterday, I have decided to stay indoors again this Sunday for our practice. Hopefully, we'll be able to get outdoors next week.

So be at Norwood Park gym once again from 1:00 to 3:00pm with gym shoes, water, shin guards and a ball. Norwood Park is located at: 5801 N. Natoma Ave in Chicago.

Map of location: http://tinyurl.com/cfzk9g

Please bring all outstanding paperwork to practice.
There are only two weeks before the first match so we need all the NISL paperwork. jersey orders, and birth certificate copies in order to get player passes in time for the first match.

If you know of anyone interested in playing for our team, please get them out to this practice so we can evaluate them and get their paperwork done quickly.

See you at practice.

Snow Day Practice!

Sunday's Goalkeeper Practice has been cancelled.


Team Practice will go on as scheduled, indoors at Norwood Park Gym (1:00 to 3:00).


Try to bring a spare pair of shoes so we can keep the gym dry and clean.


See you there.

Practice on Sunday - 3/29

After looking at our practice field possibilities yesterday, I have decided to stay indoors again this Sunday for our practice. The fields are in rough shape or too muddy to have a decent practice session. Also, I don't want to wreck the fields right now and have them seriously damaged for the rest of the Spring.

So be at Norwood Park gym once again from 1:00 to 3:00pm with gym shoes, water, shin guards and a ball.

Norwood Park is located at: 5801 N. Natoma Ave in Chicago.
Map of location: http://tinyurl.com/cfzk9g

Goalkeepers will have an opportunity to practice Sunday with a goalkeeping coach from noon to 1:30 at Taft HS on Sunday. That practice will be outdoors as a limited area is needed (and we need a goal for training purposes).

Please bring all outstanding paperwork to practice.

See you there.

Practice on Sunday 3/22

We will practice indoors at Norwood Park gym on Sunday 3/22 from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

Norwood Park is located at: 5801 N. Natoma Ave in Chicago.

Map of location: http://tinyurl.com/cfzk9g

Please bring ball, water, shin guards, and clean gym shoes/indoor soccer shoes.

If you have a teammate or friend interested in playing for our team this season, please invite him along so our trainer can evaluate him. Thanks.

See you there

Practice News & Registration Update

Check back later this week for news about our practice schedule.
Most likely, we will practice Sunday March 22nd (time & location to be announced).

Our final day of registration will be held Thursday March 19th at 7:00pm at Olympia Park.
Olympia Park is located at 6566 N Avondale Ave in Chicago.

Players who have not played on our team before should bring a copy of their birth certificate.
See you there.

2009 Spring Schedule!

The 2009 Spring Schedule is here!

1. Saturday April 18 at ELA (Lake Zurich) at 1:00pm
2. Sunday April 26 at Chargers FC (Westchester) at 2:00pm
3. Sunday May 3 at OPRF (River Grove) at 5:00pm
4. Sunday May 10 at ALITHSA (Lake in the Hills) at 3:00pm
5. Sunday May 17 at NIFC (DeKalb) at 11:00am
6. Saturday May 30 at Chargers FC (Westchester) at 4:00pm
7. Sunday May 31st at American SC Knights (Mount Prospect) at 3:00pm
8. Sunday June 7th at American Eagles (Bloomingdale) at 3:00pm

As you can see, we have a lighter schedule this year with only eight matches. You'll also notice that all matches are away. That is because our play at Edison School has been restricted and we were just notified this past week.

Links to driving directions will be posted soon.