Programs and competitive pathways

Club teams train and compete in multiple Illinois and regional structures, including National Premier League, IYSA State Premiership League, Young Sportsman Soccer League (YSSL), Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL), USYS Midwest Conference, and IL Midwest Conference Qualifier League. NPL rosters play eight league matches per season at Olympic Park in Schaumburg on lighted turf, with weekday games (boys typically Monday or Tuesday, girls Thursday or Friday, subject to seasonal scheduling). First-place NPL finishers advance to NPL Finals in Denver; second-place teams can qualify for the Midwest regional cup in Illinois, with that winner earning a berth to US Club Soccer National Cup Finals in Denver.

Elite age-group teams have earned recent national-stage experience, including junior championship wins in St. Louis and US National Cup participation in Denver. High-school-age programming follows distinct seasonal calendars: girls U15–U19 often train and compete with the club in fall and winter before transitioning to school soccer when the high school season begins in early March, while high-school boys U15–U19 follow a spring-focused club season aligned with that school transition. Olympic Development Program resources and college-recruitment guidance support players pursuing higher-level opportunities.

Younger players and pre-travel

Children who are too young for U8 club teams can start in the club’s AYSO 163 pre-travel program in Lake Forest (ages 4–6 and U6/U8 recreational tracks). U6 co-ed groups practice once weekly with Director of Coaching Ross Bristow, play Sunday scrimmages, and receive uniform and ball in a low-cost package. U8 boys and girls AYSO teams practice with professional NSFC coaches and play weekend games with volunteer licensed coaches, feeding players into North Shore FC at the U8 club level when they are ready.

Training locations and seasonal rhythm

Tryouts and training use North Shore FC fields in the Lake Forest area, including Deerpath Turf Field, Northcroft Park, and Lake Forest High School West Campus. The club welcomes players from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, and surrounding towns. Spring 2026 club practices run March 30 through June 5 for boys and girls teams, and summer camp registration is offered for families seeking additional seasonal training.

Coaching leadership and player expectations

Ross Bristow serves as Director of Coaching, supported by a staff that includes Julian Roman, Felipe Cortez, Lorant Balasi, Marcin Szef, and Danny Martinez. Competitive teams generally train twice weekly, compete in league and tournament play, and expect regular attendance at practices and matches. Goalkeeper-specific training is part of the development structure. New players may be evaluated mid-season when roster space allows.

Tryouts, uniforms, and registration

Annual tryouts for the 2026–2027 season take place in May for boys and girls U8–U18, including dedicated high-school tryout tracks. Every player must complete online registration for North Shore FC Tryouts 2026 before attending, upload required documents, and plan to attend both evaluation sessions for their age group when possible. Players entering first grade (birth years August 1, 2019–July 31, 2020) may attend U8 tryouts for placement consideration.

Accepted players order mandatory uniform packages through European Sports in Schaumburg (two game jerseys, shorts, socks, practice jerseys, and warm-up jacket for the Fall 2025–Spring 2027 cycle). Families can add spirit wear and optional numbered items through the club store. For missed May tryouts or roster questions, contact the club to schedule a late evaluation when limited fall roster spots remain.

Contact

Reach North Shore FC at 150 Boardman Court, Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044, by phone at 224-401-5662, or by email at ross@northshorefc.org.