The Celtics Soccer Club develops confident, skilled players at every stage of their soccer journey. From Juniors to Travel to FIRST XI, our approach stays the same: strong technical training, positive player development, and a culture where every child feels supported.
- Founded
- 2008
- Teams
- 45
- Ages
- 2–18
- Plays
- Boys & Girls
- Programs
- 22
Where on the ladder
Level 3 to Level 5
Each level below lists the leagues this club plays in. Your kid's level depends on the team they make. The six levels are our own reading of public league play. They are not an official ranking.
Sanctioned by Illinois Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer). The club also played in NPL. That league ended in July 2026 and merged into National 1, so it does not count above. The club’s site also lists US Club Soccer and Idaho Youth Soccer Association. We have not confirmed those from the bodies’ own member lists, so we do not call the club sanctioned. It also lists NISL, IWSL (Illinois Women's Soccer League), State Premiership, National League Midwest Conference, United Soccer League - Youth (USL Y - NEW Supper Y), Illinois State Premiership, Chicagoland Indoor Soccer League. We have not placed those leagues on the ladder, so they do not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksCollege & pro pathway
Where the players went next.
We counted these from public commitment lists and trackers, not from the club’s own claims.
The counts come from public commitment trackers, club lists, league records, player pages, and the rosters of 2,244 NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA programs. One player counts once per school. “Division unverified” means we matched the school but could not confirm the program level. We never print a current youth player’s name.
Programs
The programs, age by age
These come from the club's site, grouped the way the club groups them. Your kid starts in the one that fits their age.
LittleFeet
2-3 yrs
A FUNdamental soccer program targeting large motor muscle groups, coordination, cardiovascular circulation, and a love for soccer.
feeds into Juniors Academy
Academy
4-5 yrs
A youth developmental academy providing fun, age-appropriate technical and skill-based instruction and teaching game behaviors.
feeds into Juniors League
League
5.5-7 years
An introduction to travel soccer for the oldest Juniors before they join full travel teams.
feeds into Travel
Travel
7-18 yrs
Competitive boys and girls teams are formed by similar skill level and placed in appropriate leagues and divisions. The program emphasizes player development, smaller rosters, training, competition, tournaments, and optional add-ons.
YSSL · NISL · IWSL feeds into FIRST XI
Pre-FIRST XI
U12, U13, U14
A highest-level development pathway for players and teams wishing to compete at the highest level and prepare for high school soccer and beyond.
NPL feeds into FIRST XI
FIRST XI
U12, U13, U14
A highly competitive program based on four activities per week, with high-level leagues, advanced training, video analysis, tournaments, and college identification.
NPL
High School FIRST XI
U15-U18
High school FIRST XI teams train and compete at the highest levels with advanced technical, physical, video, goalie, and player-development programming.
NPL
Club Goalkeeping
2019 through 2011 Birth Years
Free goalkeeping training sessions for Celtics players, with separate birth-year time groups.
FIRST XI Goalkeeping
FIRST XI
Goalkeeping training for FIRST XI players.
USL Y Performance Pathway
U10-U19 · 7v7, 9v9, 11v11
A summer-only partnership pathway with Oak Brook Soccer Club for select players seeking a competitive, development-focused environment. Teams train and compete in the USL Y season.
USL Y
HLC (High Level Coaching)
A camp delivered by UEFA-licensed professional coaches from the UK who are actively working in professional or academy environments.
Pick Up And Play
U7 through U14 · 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 or 11v11
A free summer camp for Celtics players offering a safe and competitive environment to play games throughout the summer.
Street Soccer
U7 through U14
A free summer camp for Celtics players on outdoor tennis courts, with a futsal-esque feel, mini tournaments, and knockout games.
PlayHER Protect Camp
U7-U15
A girls-only training camp focused on technical skill, tactical awareness, leadership, confidence, and connection.
Kickstart Fall Camp
U7-U11
A camp for younger players focused on early-season tournament preparation, confidence on the ball, game understanding, and plenty of touches.
Next Level Camp
U12-U18 · 11v11
A camp designed to prepare players for the 11 v 11 club season through technical work, attacking and defending skills, speed and agility, and small-sided games.
Celtics Pre Season Camp
U7-U18
Pre-season soccer training led by Celtics coaches, combining traditional and modern coaching methodologies to prepare players for the fall season.
Foundation Phase Futsal Program
2019-2016 Birth Years (U7-U10)
A seven-session, skill-focused futsal program for Celtics players emphasizing 1v1 and 2v2 skills and small-sided matches.
Development Phase Scramble League
2015 + 2014 birth years
A seven-week competitive and fun program in which players are mixed into new teams each week.
Performance Phase Scramble League
2013-2012 birth years
A seven-match, competitive and fast-paced futsal experience in which players are scrambled into new teams each week.
Celtics Dads
Over-35 and over-45
Indoor recreational leagues for dads, with O-35 league play on Thursday nights and an O-45 league on Monday nights.
Celtics Moms
Over-30 and open age · 7v7, 11v11
Adult leagues running all year, including an over-30 Sunday night 7v7 league, an over-30 Monday night 11v11 summer league, and open-age Tuesday leagues.
Tryouts
2026/27 season
Tryouts decide which travel team a kid plays on. Confirm the details on the club’s page before you go.
Saint Joseph High School · 10900 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
Free · pre-registration required
Rolling
- · Shin guards
- · Cleats
- · Soccer ball
Coaching
Who coaches here
16 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
David Rout
Celtics Founder & General Manager
Coach Rout started the first Celtics girls’ team in 2008. He has extensive playing experience both in England and in the USA.
Illinois State Soccer Association · United States Soccer Federation
Elli Stanford
Executive Director & Foundation Phase Lead
Foundation Phase Lead (Boys & Girls, birth years 2017–2014)
Celtics Director, 2021 – Present; Academy Director, Challenger Sports, 2019 – 2021; Head Coach, Lac La Biche FC (Alberta CA), 2017 – 2018
BTEC In Sport – Level 2 Certificate
USSF B License · USSF C License · USSF D License · USSF Grassroots Certifications (F and E License) · UEFA C Licence (England) · FA Level 1 Licence (Football Association)
Brendan Johnson
Director Of Coaching
Director of Recreation, Coralville FC, 2018-2020; Assistant Director of Coaching, Iowa Soccer Club, 2019-2024
degree in Sports Administration, William Penn University
USSF National ‘B’ · USSF National ‘C’ · USSF National ‘D’ · USSF National ‘E’ · USSF National ‘F’ · USSF Youth Coaching Certificate · USSF Grassroots 11v11, 9v9, 7v7, 4v4.
Zoran Duric
Director of Player&Team Development
Breakers FC MLS NEXT Head Coach U15, U17 and U19, 2021-2025; FC Teleoptik (Serbia) / FC Partizan ”B” First team assistant Coach 2019-2021 & U18 Serbia assistant coach 2019-2020
UEFA A License
Patryk Kibler
FIRST XI DIRECTOR BOYS
2011 and 2009 First XI Boys and High School Girls teams
Assistant Coach for Roosevelt University Men’s Soccer; Kibler joined the LaGrange Celtics in 2023
Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Sciences – Roosevelt University; Master of Business Administration in Management – Roosevelt University
Sarrah Ludwig
FIRST XI GIRLS DIRECTOR & Performance Phase Lead
Dylan Hansan
Head Coach & Youth Development Phase Lead – Girls
Adolfo Pallares-Aceves
Head Coach & Youth Development Phase Lead - Boys
Where they play
24 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
Saint Joseph’s Soccer ComplexPrimary
Saint Joe's Soccer Fields
Western Springs Parks
Hinsdale Parks
Pleasant Dale Parks
La Grange Parks
MAX McCook
4750 Vernon Ave, La Grange, IL 60525
Westmont Yard
Veeck Park West
701 Chicago Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Walker Park
7425 S Wolf Rd, Burr Ridge, IL 60527
17 fields aren’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
Add-ons
uniform kit.
Get in touch
How to reach Celtics
Is Celtics the right move for your kid?
Tell us about your kid and we’ll rank this club against every other option inside your drive time, on level, cost, and where its players end up.