What fc united premier does

FC United Premier, LLC (operating as Chicago FC United) is a private youth soccer club headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, serving competitive and elite-level youth players across the North Shore Chicago suburbs. The club operates a tiered program structure including Boys Club, Girls Club, MLS Next Boys Academy, and Girls Academy divisions, with 8 training facilities spanning Glenview, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, and Northbrook. The organization reports 4 National Championships, 26 State Championships, and 340+ college commitments since 2020, supported by 20+ coaches holding US Soccer A, B, or C licenses. Leadership includes former NCAA Division I head coaches (Northern Illinois University), former Chicago Fire FC staff, and US Soccer-credentialed technical directors.

Name

fc united premier

Legal name

FC United Premier, LLC

Website

https://chicagofcunited.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FC United Premier is a private youth soccer club in Glenview, Illinois, operating boys and girls club and academy programs (including MLS Next and Girls Academy) for competitive youth players across Chicago's North Shore suburbs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Glenview

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Club Program Registration: Annual/seasonal registration fees for boys and girls club programs at various age levels and competitive tiers.
2. Academy Program Fees: Invitation-only academy programs (MLS Next Boys Academy, Girls Academy) with higher-level training and competition.
3. College ID Clinics and Showcases: Fee-based ID clinics ($135-$160 per player) for college recruiting exposure, including goalkeeper-specific showcases.
4. Tournament Registration: Fees for participation in tournaments organized or hosted by the club.
5. Team Store/Merchandise: Sales of FC United branded merchandise through their team store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FC United Premier (Chicago FC United) is a youth soccer club operating competitive boys and girls club programs and elite academy tiers (MLS NEXT Boys Academy and Girls Academy), along with college recruiting showcases, ID clinics, goalkeeper showcases, and tournaments. Programs are delivered through multi-location training facilities in the North Shore Chicago area, with registration handled via the PlayerFirst Technology platform.

Product overview

FC United Premier is a youth soccer club offering a multi-tiered program structure consisting of elite academy programs (MLS NEXT Boys Academy and Girls Academy) and competitive club programs for both boys and girls. The club integrates a Player First Recruiting platform to support players in the college recruiting process. Additional offerings include College ID and Goalkeeper Showcases for players seeking college exposure. The organization serves the Chicago area with programs ranging from entry-level development through elite academy competition, providing pathways for players of varying skill levels and ambitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MLS NEXT Boys Academy: Elite boys academy program operating under MLS NEXT league structure.
• Girls Academy

Products and services

• MLS NEXT Boys Academy Elite boys youth soccer academy program operating under the MLS NEXT platform, providing professional-level training and competition for invited male players.
• Girls Academy (GA) Elite girls youth soccer academy program providing high-level training and competition for invited female players under the Girls Academy league structure.
• Boys Club Program Competitive boys youth soccer club program offering player development and college recruiting pathways for players not in the academy tier.
• Girls Club Program Competitive girls youth soccer club program offering player development and college recruiting pathways for players not in the academy tier.
• Boys College Showcase

Quantifiable outcome

• 340+ College Commitments since 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MLS NextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLS Next is Major League Soccer's youth development platform. FC United's boys academy teams participate in MLS Next leagues, providing access to top-tier competition and development opportunities for elite players.
• Girls AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGirls Academy is the premier elite girls youth soccer league in the United States. FC United's girls academy teams participate in Girls Academy leagues and events.
• Trevian Soccer ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrevian Soccer Club is an affiliated club serving younger players (born 2016-2022) and feeding into the FC United competitive program. FC United and Trevian share staff, facilities, and a unified development philosophy.
• 3 Step Sports LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFC United is owned and operated by 3 Step Sports LLC, a national youth sports organization. 3 Step Sports provides operational infrastructure, technology platforms (PlayerFirst), and centralized services.
• PlayerFirst TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationPlayerFirst Technology provides the registration and club management platform used by FC United. Also provides Player First Recruiting platform for college recruiting support.
• US Youth Soccer National LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFC United participates in USYS National League competitions for additional national-level exposure and competition.
• Vertical InsureminorOthersProvides sports injury and accident insurance coverage for club participants.
• SafeSportminorOthersU.S. Center for SafeSport provides training and resources for abuse prevention in youth sports. FC United participates in SafeSport reporting and training programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eclipse Select Soccer Club: Long-established Illinois youth soccer club offering competitive club programs and academy-level development in the same Chicago-area market. Directly comparable to FC United's Boys Club and Girls Club offerings across overlapping age groups and competitive tiers.
• Chicago Sockers FC: Major Chicagoland youth soccer club with a deep competitive and academy player development pathway. Competes with FC United for elite players, tournament wins, and college commitments in the same Illinois/North Shore feeder market.
• Chicago Fire FC Academy: MLS-affiliated MLS NEXT academy operating in the same Chicago metro. Most direct competitive overlap with FC United's MLS NEXT Boys Academy in terms of talent pipeline, college showcase exposure, and player development resources.
• Soccer Association of Columbia (formerly Lou Fusz Athletic): Large Midwest youth soccer club with ECNL and MLS NEXT participation, comparable academy/club program structure and college recruiting focus. Provides a useful benchmark for FC United's scale and operational model in the broader Midwest.
• Solar Soccer Club: Top-tier Texas youth soccer club with multiple national championships and elite academy programs. Comparable to FC United in championship pedigree, MLS NEXT participation, and college recruiting outcomes at scale.
• Lonestar Soccer Club: Major Texas youth soccer club competing in MLS NEXT and Girls Academy with similar multi-tier program structure. Comparable in scale, academy offerings, and college placement emphasis to FC United.
• Michigan Wolves-Hawks SC: Established Midwest youth soccer club with academy and competitive programs that compete in MLS NEXT and ECNL. Directly comparable regional peer with similar league affiliations and college recruiting focus.
• FC Dallas Academy: MLS NEXT academy program structured similarly to FC United's MLS NEXT Boys Academy, providing elite youth development and college pipeline. Useful peer for benchmarking academy operations and college commitment rates.

Broad incumbents

• IMG Academy: Broader elite sports academy with a major soccer boarding and training program. Comparable at the high end of player development outcomes (national team placements, college scholarships) but operates at significantly larger scale and across multiple sports.

Others

• PlayerFirst Technology (3 Step Sports): Parent-affiliated technology platform providing registration, club management, and the Player First Recruiting product used by FC United and other clubs in the 3 Step Sports network. Relevant as an enabling platform rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/chicagofcunited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about fc united premier