A.A.C. Eagles is an American amateur soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1940, the team plays in Region II of the United States Adult Soccer Federation , a network of amateur leagues at the fifth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team’s colors are red and white.
AAC Eagles was formed as an ethnic Polish club by immigrants to the Chicago area in 1940. Originally known as the Polish American Athletic Club Eagles (PAAC Eagles), the team first played in the National Leaque of Chicago and played under that name until 1950, when the team became officially known as the Chicago Eagles. Since then the team has been known by various names, swapping between its earlier names (PAAC Eagles, Chicago Eagles), and newer variants (Chicago American Eagles, Polish Eagles), before settling on its current incarnation in the mid 1990s. The Eagles currently play in the Metropolitan Soccer League, which is a member of the United States Adults Soccer Association Region II group of leagues.
The Eagles have a long and distinguished history of competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Having already reached the final stages of the competition during its early years in 1948 and 1949, the Eagles reached the semi-finals in 1989, losing on penalties to eventual winners St. Petersburg Kickers and won the tournament in 1990 in the pre-MLS era, beating the Brooklyn Italians 2-0 in the final thanks to goals from Jan Kieca and Peter Modrzejewski. Their win in the competition also gave them entry to the 1991 CONCACAF Champions Cup where they lost 4-1 on aggregate in the first round to Bermudian club PHC Zebras.
The Eagles qualified for the cup again in 1994, the last all-amateur competition prior to the entrance of teams from Major Leaque Soccer but lost 2-1 to Bavarian Leinenkugel in the quarter finals. Since the introduction of professional teams into the cup the Eagles have not fared as well. They lost in the first round to the Chicago Stingers in 1995, lost in the first round again in 2002 to New York Freedom, and lost in the first round for a third time in 2005, this time falling 4-1 to USL Premier Development League side Chicago Fire Premier.
In 2008 the club qualified for their fourth modern US Open Cup, beating the Milwaukee Bavarians and Des Moines Menace Reserves in their regional qualification tournament, but lost 4-0 in the first round to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Second Division.
In addition to their USOC triumph in 1990, the Eagles won the USASA Open Cup in 1989 and 2002. They are nine-time Illinois state champions, eleven-time Metropolitan Soccer League Major Division champions, and also sponsored the Chicago Eagles Select which briefly played in the USL Premier Development League in 2001 and 2002.
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | - | Quarter Finals (West) | |||
| 1949 | - | Final (West) | |||
| 1989 | 5 | USASA | Semi Finals | ||
| 1990 | 5 | USASA | Champions | ||
| 1994 | 5 | USASA | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1995 | 5 | USASA | First Round | ||
| 2002 | 5 | USASA | First Round | ||
| 2005 | 5 | USASA | First Round | ||
| 2008 | 5 | USASA | First Round | ||
| 2010 | 5 | USASA | Did not qualify |
TROPHIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE CLUB “EAGLES”
- U.S. Open Cup Winner (1): 1990
- National Amateur Cup Winner (1): 1989
- Peel Cup Winner (7): 1950, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1963, 1999, 2000
- USASA Amateur Midwest Regionals Cup Winners: 2007, 2009
- USASA Open Cup Champions: 2002
- US Amateur Cup Regional Illinois Champions: 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2009
- Open Cup Region Illinois Champions: 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2010
- Illinois State Champions: 1950, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1963, 1999
- Metropolitan Soccer Leagues Champions: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2003
- Metropolitan Soccer League Indoor Champions: 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992
Parent Expectations
AAC Eagles Soccer Academy expects parents of players to follow the club’s code of conduct and guidelines.
As a parent of an AAC Eagles Soccer Academy player, you agree to:
Respect the game, coaches, players, officials and other parents at all times.
Honor all financial and volunteer commitments to AAC Eagles Soccer Academy in the agreed upon time and manner. Failure to do so may result in player suspension.
Commit your child to AAC Eagles Soccer Academy for the entire registered year, which includes fall, winter, and spring. Discuss extenuating circumstances, such as moving to an area outside of Northern Illinois, directly with AAC Eagles Soccer Academy coaches and manager.
Agree that your child plays soccer only for AAC Eagles Soccer Academy and not any other professional or competitive soccer organizations. If you have questions about additional training, please contact the AAC Eagles Soccer Academy coaches.
Make sure your child is on time to and from all practices and games. Notify the Team Administrator and AAC Eagles Soccer Academy coaches of any illnesses, injuries, vacations or others absences.
Communicate important issues with AAC Eagles Soccer Academy coaches only during a scheduled meeting. Please allow coaches to have uninterrupted time with the players during practices and games. If you have any questions or concerns, please set up a meeting with AAC Eagles Soccer Academy coaches.
Understand that AAC Eagles Soccer Academy is a premier competitive environment. Playing time, positions, lineups and teams are based on ability and performance.
Allow the use of your child’s name and/or photo on the AAC Eagles Soccer Academy website or other news articles released by the club.
