Illinois Magic Soccer is a youth soccer club based in Illinois, United States. The club was founded in 2005 and has since developed a reputation for its excellence in training and development of young soccer players. The Illinois Magic Soccer club is a member of the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and competes in various leagues and tournaments at the local, regional, and national levels. The club focuses on providing a positive and nurturing environment for young athletes to learn and excel in the sport of soccer. Their mission is to develop well-rounded individuals who not only become skilled soccer players but also grow into responsible and respectful individuals. The Illinois Magic Soccer club believes in teaching important life values such as discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication through the game of soccer.
``I’m definitely going to make it a point after or before the game to see his family and him. They’re still part of my family,’’ Hill said. ``No matter what team I play for, I still look up to that guy, respect that guy and love him to death.’’
FRENCH FLAVOR With Utah in Orlando Thursday and Friday, it allowed long-time friends and fellow Frenchmen Evan Fournier, Boris Diaw and Rudy Gobert to get together and share some memories from the past. FRENCH FLAVOR With Utah in Orlando Thursday and Friday, it allowed long-time friends and fellow Frenchmen Evan Fournier, Boris Diaw and Rudy Gobert to get together and share some memories from the past.
The Illinois Magic Soccer club believes in teaching important life values such as discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication through the game of soccer. The club offers programs for boys and girls of all ages and skill levels. They have teams ranging from U8 to U19, which allows young athletes to progress and develop their skills within the club.
Magic vs. Jazz: Jeff Green Makes First Start with Magic
ORLANDO – In a move designed to better balance the scoring on the first and second units and potentially help the Orlando Magic get off to better starts, head coach Frank Vogel moved veteran small forward Jeff Green into Friday’s starting five ahead of Aaron Gordon.
The lineup change is the first of the season for the Magic after opening games with Nikola Vucevic, Serge Ibaka, Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton and Gordon eight times.
Vogel, who is in his first season with the Magic as head coach, made the change in hopes of jump-starting the team at the beginning of the first and second halves. The Magic have been outscored 238-177 in the first quarter of games so far and 208-184 in third quarters. Orlando has trailed by at least eight points in every game and they have been behind by double digits in the first half in six of the last seven games.
``We’re going to try and play some defense in the first quarter,’’ Vogel said prior to tipoff when asked what he could do to help the Magic avoid another slow start. ``I’ve challenged our guys to figure the game out earlier. For whatever reason, we’ve given up 39 points and 37 points in the last two first quarters. We put more emphasis in shootaround on covering more of (Utah’s) looks and hopefully get our guys familiar with what they are going to see early in the game.’’
Green, who is in his ninth NBA season, has been Orlando’s most productive reserve thus far, averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.7 minutes a night. He scored in double digits four times and in two of last week’s wins he had 15 points against the Kings and 18 versus Washington.
While playing for the Sonics/Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies, Clippers and Magic, Green has split time as a starter and a reserve. Including Friday’s first start of the season, Green has now opened 473 of 645 games in the starting five.
Gordon, 21, worked hard all summer to improve his perimeter shot in anticipation of playing more small forward than power forward this season. Through his first eight games, Gordon shot 40.2 percent from the floor and 30.8 percent from the 3-point line while averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.
HOOPS FOR TROOPS: To close out NBA Cares ``Hoops for Troops Week’’ (Nov. 4-12), the Magic and Harris Corporation teamed up for the 13th consecutive season to honor military men, women and their families with ``Seats for Soldiers Night’’ on Veterans Day.
The event provided game tickets for more than 2,000 active and retired military personnel and their families courtesy of the Magic, Harris Corporation and season-ticket holders who donated their seats for the occasion. ``Seats for Soldiers’’ participating military outfits include Patrick Air Force Base, The Wounded Warrior Project, Orlando Marine affiliate, Orlando Army affiliate, MacDill Air Force Base and Greater Jacksonville Area USO. Harris also provided suite seats to military personnel from MacDill Air Force Base.
``The Orlando Magic are truly honored to recognize all of the brave men and women who sacrifice so much in service of our great country,’’ Magic CEO Alex Martins said. ``Together with Harris Corporation on this Veterans Day we want to thank those in uniform, our veterans, and their families for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. We want them to know they are our heroes.’’
FRENCH FLAVOR: With Utah in Orlando Thursday and Friday, it allowed long-time friends and fellow Frenchmen Evan Fournier, Boris Diaw and Rudy Gobert to get together and share some memories from the past. The 7-foot-1 Gobert visited Fournier’s suburban Orlando home on Thursday night where they had the Magic guard’s French chef make them a meal of spicy chicken and potatoes. The two of them have known each other since they were 13 years old and rising basketball players in Paris. And the 6-foot-7 Fournier likes to point out that at that time he was actually taller than Gobert, who has been affectionately nick-named ``The Stifle Tower’’ because of his massive wingspan.
``I still think he has room to get better and he’s getting better all the time because of the way that he works,’’ Gobert said of Fournier. ``He’s a competitor and he’s going to just keep getting better. I think he’s going to be an all-star, if not this year then really soon.’’
Diaw, 34, has been in the NBA since 2003 and he served as an inspiration for Fournier to know that he too could someday play in the NBA. The French Basketball Federation brought together Diaw and Fournier some 10 years ago for a P.S.A. aimed at getting more French kids to play basketball. At the time, Fournier was just 13 and he vowed to Diaw that he would someday join him in the NBA.
``I remember that day, shooting that commercial, he was a really good kid in his category and like a lot of them, he said, `I’m going to play in the NBA someday,’’ Diaw said. ``It’s so good for him that he did and it shows how strong-minded, strong-willed and what a hard worker he is. He still has that mindset and that’s why he keeps getting better.’’
OLD FRIENDS: A sprained right thumb kept Utah point guard George Hill from facing Vogel, his coach in Indiana for five seasons, on Friday night. However, the injury wasn’t about to keep Hill from going on and chatting with a coach he has always considered a close friend and confidant.
``I’m definitely going to make it a point after or before the game to see his family and him. They’re still part of my family,’’ Hill said. ``No matter what team I play for, I still look up to that guy, respect that guy and love him to death.’’
Indiana acquired Hill in a trade with San Antonio prior to the 2011-12 season and he was thought to be the final piece on a squad that could win a championship. Those Pacers with Hill, Vogel, Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and ’14, but they lost both times to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Those difficult defeats did nothing to damage the admiration that Vogel has for Hill.
``George is one of those guys who will and can do anything that you ask of him,’’ Vogel said. ``If that means being a fourth or fifth option and knocking down spot-up jumpers while the ball is in Paul George’s hands, David West’s hands or Roy Hibbert’s hands. And when guys go down he can be the go-to guy and he’s capable of doing what he did last week when he was (the NBA’s Western Conference) Player of the Week. And he’s one of the most underrated point guard defenders in the game. He’s one of those guys who does everything well. And I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the league.’’
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.
That potential has never been realized, however.
The training sessions are conducted by experienced and licensed coaches who focus on individual player development as well as team tactics. Illinois Magic Soccer emphasizes the importance of player development and provides opportunities for players to showcase their skills and abilities at higher levels. The club has a track record of producing talented players who have gone on to play at collegiate and professional levels. They also provide guidance and support for players who aspire to play soccer at the college level through college recruiting programs and showcases. In addition to their emphasis on player development, Illinois Magic Soccer also places importance on developing a strong sense of community. The club works closely with parents, coaches, and players to foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. They organize various community events and initiatives to promote a sense of belonging and unity among the members. Overall, Illinois Magic Soccer is known for its dedication to player development, fostering a positive environment, and producing talented soccer players. The club's commitment to the growth and success of young athletes sets them apart and makes them a respected presence in the soccer community in Illinois..
Reviews for "Illinois Magic Soccer: Fostering a Love for the Game and Lifelong Friendships"
1. John - 1 star
Illinois magic soccer was a complete disappointment. The coaches seemed uninterested in teaching the kids and hardly paid any attention to them during practices and games. The drills were repetitive and lacked creativity. The whole experience felt disorganized and unprofessional. I would not recommend this soccer program to any parent looking to develop their child's skills or foster a love for the sport.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I enrolled my son in Illinois magic soccer with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The facilities were poorly maintained, and the equipment was old and worn out. The coaching staff showed little enthusiasm and seemed more interested in socializing with each other than actually coaching the kids. There was a lack of structure in the training sessions, and my son didn't feel like he was improving. Overall, Illinois magic soccer did not provide the quality experience we were hoping for.
3. David - 2 stars
Illinois magic soccer was a letdown for my daughter. The communication from the coaches and staff was inconsistent and often late. There were frequent cancellations of practices and games without prior notice or proper rescheduling. The team lacked organization and seemed disunited during matches. My daughter lost interest in soccer because of this poorly managed program. I would advise parents to look for a more reputable and reliable soccer program for their children.
4. Melissa - 1 star
Illinois magic soccer was a waste of time and money for my son. The coaching staff showed favoritism towards certain players, neglecting the rest of the team. They lacked proper knowledge of the game and failed to provide constructive feedback to help the players improve. The team's performance suffered as a result, and my son's enthusiasm for soccer dwindled. I regret enrolling him in this program and would not recommend it to anyone.