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Rockford Raptors FC

GREG KLAZURA TO MLS

Former Raptor to MLS

FORMER RAPTORS PLAYER GREG KLAZURA SIGNS FOR THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS IN THE MLS. Click here to read the story.

2012 Champions Cup information can be found by clicking the Tournament tab on the left

Applications for the 2012 Puma Champions Cup Tournament series are now available by simply clicking on the links below.  We are excited about this years Tournaments and we look forward to having your team be a part of it.

2012 Puma College Showcase Application

Please click on the link above to apply to the 2012 Puma Champions Cup College Showcase April 14th & 15th 2012

2012 Puma Champions Cup Tournament Application

Please click on the link above to apply for the 2012 Puma Champions Cup Tournament on April 21st & 22nd

Raptor Youth Soccer League has New Website

In order to serve you better, the RYSL has it's own dedicated website.  If you are looking for information on the RYSL, or any of its programs, please visit www.raptoryouthsoccer.com. 

Puma Eyeglasses & Sunglasses available at Edgebrook Primary Eye Care

Now complete your Raptor look with Puma Eyewear.  Players and parents can get great Puma Eyewear, right here in Rockford.

Edgebrook Primary Eye Care Center (in the Edgebrook Shops at 1603 N Alpine Road in Rockford) is your hometown Raptor-family owned source for all of your family’s eye care needs and a full line of PUMA ( Nike, and Wiley-X, etc) eyewear for men, women, and children sure to make your opponents heads turn. Come see our selection of sport and safety eyeglass frames today, call us to schedule your family’s eye care appointments at 815-397-5959, or visit us on the web at www.primeeye.com.  If you already have a current prescription, no appointment necessary to come in and view the great selection of Puma frames and other great brands.  Make sure to mention that you are a Raptor family!

Champions!!

Congratulations to the Raptors U-12 Girls and U-15 Girls teams who were crowned Champions at the Nike Classic Cup.  The U-12 Boys were finalists at the same event.

Congratulations to the U-10 Raptors Girls who were crowned Champions at the Libertyville Octoberfest.

 

Congratulations!

 Congratulations to the following Raptors players who were honored at the end of their high school seasson.

All American

Ryan Howe

 All State

Tyler Robinson and Victor Zamora

All Sectional

Esteban Fernandez, Casey Culver, Mike Gordon, Leo Lenth, Mesfin Lenth, Jonny Mueller, Kyler Olson, Jonny Perez, Judson Stern.

All Sectional Honorable Mention

Parker Nyquist, Adam Pearson.

 

 

Former Raptor player is Lowe's college Senior CLASS award finalist

 Greg Klazura Named A Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Finalist
Senior defender one of 10 men's soccer student-athletes up for the prestigious honor.

FIGHTING IRISH Greg Klazura has started 30 straight games at left back for the Fighting Irish.
FIGHTING IRISH
Greg Klazura has started 30 straight games at left back for the Fighting Irish.
FIGHTING IRISH

Oct. 6, 2011

 

Click here to vote for Greg

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Notre Dame defender Greg Klazura is one of 10 finalists up for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the men's soccer division. To be eligible for the prestigious honor, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in August. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on either the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award website or the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through November 14. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner.

Klazura (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) returned to the Irish for a fifth season after turning down a chance to take part in the 2011 Major League Soccer draft combine. Klazura, one of three captains for the Fighting Irish this season, has started the last 30 matches at left back. In addition to being a defensive presence for the Irish, he has tallied five points on one goal and three assists during his career.

This season, Klazura has two assists and has helped the Irish to a 5-2-3 record and a No. 11 national ranking. He was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 26 after helping the Irish defeat No. 3 Louisville, 1-0. Klazura also was selected to the Soccer America national team of the week for his efforts against the Cardinals.

Klazura graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in preprofessional studies (pre-med). He finished his undergraduate career with a 3.583 cumulative grade-point average. He currently is taking courses that emphasize service and or medicine to boost his resume for medical school. Klazura was named to the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-Region first team. He also is a two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star (2009 & 2010). 

 

Two Raptors named on ESPN All State List

 Victor Zamora and Ryan Howe (U-18 Raptors) are both listed on the ESPN All State List.

ESPNHS has unveiled its Illinois All-State soccer team. Crystal Lake South's Charlie Oliver and Boylan's Victor Zamora are two of the most accomplished players on the list, which can be found below. 

Illinois All-State Soccer 

Starting 11 
[F] Joey Calistri, Deerfield, Senior, Chicago Fire Academy 
Tallied 28 goals and 12 assists last season 
[F] Charlie Oliver, Crystal Lake South, Senior, Chicago Fire Academy 
Scored 28 goals and added 11 assists as a junior 
[F] Joel Salmeron, Morton, Senior, Chicago Fire Academy 
Will miss much of the season with knee injury; 26 goals in ‘10 
[F] Evan Trychta, Naperville North, Senior, Roadrunners SC 
Postseason hero finished with 19 goals last year 
[F] Victor Zamora, Rockford Boylan, Senior, Rockford Raptors 
Led Boylan to state title with 26 goals 
[MF] Elliot Borge, Lyons, Senior, Chicago Fire Academy 
Northwestern recruit tallied 14 goals, 13 assists last season 
[MF] Marshall Hollingsworth, Libertyville, Senior, Chicago Fire Academy 
Offensive contributor notched six goals, five assists in 2010 
[MF] Ryan Howe, Rockford Boylan, Senior, Rockford Raptors 
Two-way player keyed state-title run 
[MF] Mick Maley, Marmion Academy, Senior, Sockers FC 
Posted 17 goals, 11 assists last season 
[D] John Pothast, Lake Zurich, Senior, Sockers FC 
Rugged defender is committed to Marquette 
[GK] Daniel Brennan, Edwardsville, Senior, Scott Gallagher Metro 
Recorded 12 shutouts last year with 0.67 GAA 

Raptors FC Offers Three Levels of Programs - Which is Best for Your Child?

Please see below for the Raptors FC outline of programs available for yor child.  Contact us with any questions you may have.

Thank you, Raptors FC Staff

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE LABOR DAY CUP!!

Thank you for attending our Labor Day Tournament.  It's unfortunate we had some inclement weather Saturday afternoon, but we truly appreciate your understanding and patience with the changes in the schedule and the delay in receiving your awards.  We hope to see you all next year and please keep us in mind for our Puma Champions Cup tournament in April 2012.

Award Winners were chosen based on points earned in group stage play and would have advanced to the finals.  Team trophies and individual medals will be received next week.

2011 Labor Day Results

Please click the above link for all schedules and results

Congratulations to the following Raptors FC teams who placed in the Labor Day Cup:

  • U8 BOYS     JR RAPTORS - SUPER GROUP CHAMPIONS
  • U9 BOYS     RAPTORS 02/03 - SUPER GROUP FINALISTS
  • U11 BOYS   RAPTORS 00/01 - SUPER GROUP CHAMPIONS
  • U11 BOYS   RAPTORS SELECT - GOLD FLIGHT FINALISTS
  • U8/U9 COED  U7/U8 JR RAPTOR BOYS - CHAMPIONS
  • U9/U9 COED  U9 JR RAPTORS GIRLS - FINALISTS
  • U10 GIRLS  RAPTORS 01/02 - CHAMPIONS

Way to go Raptors FC!

RYSL is Proud to Have SwedishAmerican Medical Group as its Presenting Sponsor for 2011

Dick's Sporting Goods is now the Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the Raptor Youth Soccer League

Dick's Sporting Goods has recently been names the Raptor Youth Soccer League's "Official Sporting Goods Retailer".   RYSL has partnered with Dick's Sporting Goods to provide RYSL families with additional savings on their sporting goods purchases throughout the year.

Please see the RYSL page for additional information.

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Raptors join National Premier League

 

Rockford Raptors joins US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues – Midwest Conference 

Rockford Raptors is pleased to announce its participation in US Club Soccer’s newly-formed National Premier Leagues (NPL) – Midwest Conference for boys for the fall of 2011.

Rockford Raptors will participate in the Midwest Conference, which includes the U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 boys’ age groups.

The National Premier Leagues will consist of multiple conferences throughout the country, and will offer the best platform for long-term player development by providing consistent and meaningful games between the region’s top players. Additionally, the league will provide opportunities for players to be scouted by U.S. Soccer national staff. Finally, winners of each National Premier Leagues conference will qualify for US Club Soccer’s League Champions Cup in July 2012.

The 23 clubs competing in the National Premier Leagues – Midwest Conference include all of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs and the top clubs outside the Development Academy in the Midwest:

Great Lakes Division:

·       Bavarian SC (WI)

·       Chicago Fire Academy (IL)

·       Chicago Magic (IL)

·       FC Milwaukee Nationals (WI)

·       FC United (IL)

·       Blue Valley SC (KS)

·       Madison 56ers (WI)

·       MN Thunder Academy (MN)

·       Rockford Raptors (IL)

·       St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Metro (IL)

·       St. Louis Scott Gallagher-Missouri (MO)

·       Sockers F.C. Chicago (IL)

·       Sporting KC Juniors (KS)

 

Erie Division:

  • Carmel United (IN)
  • Cincinnati United SC (OH)
  • Crew Juniors (OH)
  • Fort Wayne Fever (IN)
  • Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI)
  • Internationals SC (OH)
  • Michigan Jaguars FC (MI)
  • Michigan Wolves SC (MI)
  • Vardar (MI)
  • WAZA F.C. (MI)

 

“We are extremely excited to be a founding member of the National Premier Leagues – Midwest Conference,” said Hugh  Ward,  Rockford Raptors Director of Coaching. “This provides an avenue for our top male players to compete against the best players and clubs in the region every year, and at every age group. We expect the NPL to be an important part of improving player development and opportunity for our players.”

Games in the Midwest Conference will kick off in September 2011 in the U-13 and U-14 age group, where participating teams will play 12-14 total regular-season games over the fall and spring season. The U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams will play 9-11 regular-season games in the spring of 2012.  Cross-divisional games will be played at optional showcase events throughout the year.

Midwest Conference champions will be crowned in a postseason tournament in which eight qualifying teams in each age group at U-14 and above will compete. From there, Midwest Conference champions will compete at the League Champions Cup.

 

 

 

Raptors FC Club Physician

 Dr. Milos practices orthopaedic surgery at Swedish American Hospital.  He specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery.  He completed his medical school and residency program at Northwestern University in Chicago.  He then went on and completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Baylor University in Houston.

 

Dr. Milos has been involved in soccer since his youth.  He played soccer through college and officiated at the collegiate level.  He was also the team physician for the Rockford Rampage during their tenure in Rockford.

 

He looks forward to working with the players, coaches, and staff.  Dr. Milos can be reached at:

Lundholm Surgical Group, LTD.
at Swedish American
1340 Charles Street
Rockford, IL 61104
815-397-6723

Proud to be Raptors FC

•More than 200 former Raptor/Dactyl Players have gone on to play at the College level.

 

 

•3 former players now play in the MLS

•Currently More ODP Players than any other local Club

•More National Team players come from Raptors FC than any other local Club

•Currently Raptors have 3 players called up on the USA National Team and the only national pool player from Illinois at the u14 age group

•TopDrawerSoccer.com has listed 2 Raptors FC players on the Top 100 players in the Country

•Only Player from Rockford named to ESPN’s Rize All Chicago Team

•Only local Club to have players selected to All-Midwest Regional Team

•Entire Coaching staff is certified and licensed while more Raptors Coaches hold advanced diploma‘s and more Licensed "A" coaches than any other local club.

•Average tenure for a Raptors Coach is more than 6 years with the Club and many have been with the Club since the inception.

•National Champions (2 times)

•National Runner-up 2004 and 2005

•Regional Champions (5 Times)

The History

•Establishedin 1994 as one professional team in the former USISL (now called USL, a second divisionleague below MLS) with the help of Dr. Wedgbury and established Youth system shortly thereafter. Doing so with the sole purpose of creating quality soccer training opportunity for Rockford’s youth. Later was the backing for establishing ISC and Sportscore Two as The premier Soccer Facility in the Country.

•Annually provides more than $70,000 in scholarships and financial aid for players.

•Annually provides recreational leagues for more than 2,000 kids

•ONLY Local Club that have participated in MRL (boys & Girls) since its inception.

•Established and continues to host one of the most successful and sought after tournaments in the Midwest and Country as The Puma Cup hosts more than 680 teams annually over 2 weekends in April.

•Established and hired a Full-time Professional Athletic Trainer. To continue to raise and set the bar for other Clubs to try and copy but not duplicate. The ONLY local Club to do so.

•2009 Raptors/Dactyls named as PUMA Premier ClubThe Rockford Raptors / Dactyls have received the designation as a Puma Premier Club. They join an elite group of clubs from across the nation: Sacramento United (Sacramento, Ca), Les Bois SC (Boise, ID), Southern California Blues (Costa Mesa, CA), Albion SC (San Diego, Ca), TSF Academy (Lincoln Park, NJ), Brooklyn Italians, (New York, NY), Charlotte United (Charlotte, NC) and Snohomish United (Snohomish, WA)

 

 

Passion, Dedication, Loyalty and Honor

 

 

Rockford Raptors FC

 

The BEST