Ela Soccer Club

Ela Travel is committed to developing each player to his or her fullest potential. To support this goal, Ela provides professional training to all age levels. See Coaching Staff profiles below

The coaches are committed to providing a quality environment that allows for player development. Part of that development does involve getting a player exposed to different training approaches and styles. Therefore, Ela does not support a “one coach for life” philosophy.

Ela Travel uses professional trainers as Head Coaches at all age levels. This creates training and game environments that allow players to develop to their full potential. Our staff includes:

Director of Coaching
Gin has over 20 years of professional coaching experience in both the U.S. and England. He has played semi-professionally in England and holds an English F.A. Coaching License. Gin was also a teacher in England for 5 years before coming to the U.S.

Assistant Director of Coaching 
A veteran college coach of fourteen years, and Chicago area native, Richard Drake joins the Ela Soccer Club as its Assistant Director of Coaching.  He holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" coaching license and referee license, a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma and a NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

Drake recently finished a six-season stint at Loyola University of Chicago, where as the assistant coach, he helped guide the team to three Horizon League Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.  In his time at Loyola, Drake was part of a coaching staff that recruited Chicago-born and Peru Women’s National Team player, Cynthia Morote-Ariza.  During Morote-Ariza’s career at Loyola, Drake helped guide her to consecutive Horizon League Player of the Year Awards. 

While at Loyola, in addition to his college coaching, Drake served as a staff coach and High School age Goalkeeping Director at FC United in Glenview from 2006 to 2011.  Most recently he was the u17 Girls age group coordinator, coaching both teams at that age level. Throughout his time at FC United, Drake coached on both the boys and girls side from u14 through u18.

Nour has over 20 years of professional coaching experience and has played professionally in Morocco. Nour has 11 Oklahoma State Championships and has finished as finalist at 4 USYS Regional Championships. Nour holds a USSF B License.

Jason has over 10 years of professional coaching experience, including at the High School level. He played professionally in England for 2 years and at the semi-professional level in England for 10 years. He holds an English F.A. Coaching License.

Jose has over 10 years of professional coaching experience in the U.S. He has played professionally in both Argentina and the U.S. He was a member of the 1998 Chicago Stingers National Championship Team and twice a member of the “All Star Illinois” Metropolitan League Team. Jose also holds a USSF National D License.

Tara played Division 1 soccer at Western Illinois University where the team had a record breaking season, going 16-3-1 and earning a Conference title. Tara earned her USSF National D License and has coached for two years with FC Barrington before coming to Ela.  She also teaches fourth grade in Harvard, Illinois. 

Paul Lekics most recently served as the Assistant Coach for the California State University Stanislaus men’s soccer team.  In his two seasons at CSUS, Lekics helped guide the team to 42 school records and the first back to back winning seasons in the school’s history.

A former High School All-American at Crystal Lake South High School, Lekics  also was a State Cup and Regional Champion with his youth soccer club.   Lekics was a four year starter at Creighton University, playing under current Stanford University Head Coach, Bret Simon.  During his time at Creighton he was named both the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and the Missouri Conference Player of the Year.

After completing his college career at Creighton, with a B.S.B.A. in Marketing, Lekics enjoyed a stellar eight year professional career.  He spent some time overseas training with Schalke 04 of the German Bundesliga, as well as stints with West Ham United and Portsmouth FC in England.  During this time, Lekics also represented his country internationally on the United States u23 National Team and in the United States Olympic Sports Festival.

Lekics then played with one of the most successful clubs in the United States’ A-League, playing with the Richmond Kickers.  During that time, he began his coaching career with local Richmond area youth clubs.

After finishing his playing career, Lekics left for California to gain valuable college coaching experience.  While in California he also worked with the area’s youth soccer clubs.

Matt Has over 15 years of professional coaching experience in both the U.S. and England. He has played professionally in both countries and was a member of the 1998 Chicago Stingers National Championship Team. Matt also holds an English F.A. Coaching License.

Bridget is an ELA alumna and played for the club from ages 8-18. Bridget was a four year varsity player at Carmel High School in Mundelein and a four year starter at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind. where she was a team captain and named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. Bridget won the Leadership Award in 2010. She is also a member of the coaching staff at Carmel High School. Read St Mary's article

Currently the Head Boys Soccer Coach at Barrington High School, Scott comes to Ela Soccer with 18 years of coaching experience. In 2007, his Barrington High School team won the IHSA State Championship.  In the past, Scott has also served as the Head Girls Soccer Coach at Barrington High School, and as the Head Boys and Girls Soccer Coach at Lake Zurich High School (from 1994-1999). Scott is no stranger to college soccer as he played for North Park University in Chicago, where he was named Athlete of the Year in 1992, and was a 3 time C.C.I.W. "All Conference" player.  After college Scott was also a member of the 1998 U.S. Soccer "Amateur Cup" National Champion team and was named their Player of the Year in 1998 and 2002. He has his US Soccer Federation “B” coaching license and has also served as an Illinois ODP Staff Coach. In 2006, Scott was named Illinois High School Girls Soccer Coach of the Year and in 2007 Illinois High School Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.