Professional coach for more than 20 years
Coaching License | UEFA
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Professional | FK Radnicki | Serbia
Professional | FK Vardar | Macedonia
Professional | Santa Fe | Bogotá, Colombia
Profesional | Independiente Medellín | Medellín, Colombia
HONORS & AWARDS
International Best Player #1 Striker | 1972, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1983
Dutch KNVB Certificate
USSF D License
NSCAA National Diploma
USSF National Youth License
USC 4v4, 7v7 & 9v9 Diplomas
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Naperville Lightning 1997-2007
Galaxy Soccer Club 2007-2017
Tumba Training Academy 2012-2017
Lagrange Celtics 2016-2018
Evolution Soccer Club 2018-2021
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Youth Director – Galaxy SC
Academy Director – Galaxy SC
Youth Director – Evolution SC
Youth Director – BVB
BIO
Jon spent the majority of his youth playing in Bolingbrook. He played at the highest level of club soccer throughout high school and played 4 years of varsity at BHS. After high school he played at Depaul University and began coaching youth soccer. Since then Jon has coached full time for nearly 20 years. Regarded as one of the premier coaches in the western suburbs, Jon brings experience and expertise that is invaluable to the Ajax Family.
Coach Ben started playing later in life than most (around 17), but through an intense training ritual coupled with a love and dedication to the game found success. Toward the end of playing he went on to coach at numerous places including Carol Stream Panthers, Inferno, and LaGrange Celtics. With Inferno, he worked side by side and was mentored by Dino Delevski, a high level professional soccer player, where he further developed the most as a coach. Ben has been coaching for close to 15 years and has been able to do so with a wide range of soccer players ranging in age and skill level.
National “E” License | USSF
National “F” License | USSF
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Club | Sparta Chicago
High School | Naperville North
College | Northern Illinois University
HONORS & AWARDS
All-State | IHSA
Since 2005, Mike has been coaching youth soccer, concentrating on developing individual foot skills and the fundamental concepts of soccer. Prior to coaching with Ajax, Mike coached for various local clubs, including Castle AC, NSA and Naperville International Soccer Club.
USSF National Youth License
USSF C License
NSCAA National Diploma
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Benet Academy 1998 – 2001
Windy City Pride 1997 – 2001
Galaxy SC 2001 – 2008
Naperville Lightning 2008 – 2014
Stavaru 2014 – 2015
Chicago Magic PSG 2015 – 2016
Bolingbrook High School Junior Varsity Boys & Girls 2016 – 2018
Bolingbrook High School Varsity Boys & Girls 2019 – Present
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Youth Program Director – Galaxy SC
Youth Program Director – Naperville Lightning
Tournament Director – Galaxy SC
Director of Soccer Operations, DOC – Stavaru
Senior Club Director West & South – Chicago Magic PSG
BIO
Coach Nick will join Ajax as our Youth Director and was born and raised in Bolingbrook where he participated in local soccer programs since the age of 4. He graduated from Bolingbrook High School after being a 4 year varsity starter, and then played at College of DuPage on a team that finished 3rd at the 1996 NJCAA National Championship. Nick has been coaching in the Chicago suburbs for nearly 20 years, and has years of experience in all areas of club administration. He is currently the head coach of the Bolingbrook high school girls and boys varsity soccer teams. He holds a USSF National Youth License and is looking forward taking on teams at Ajax.
CRISTIAN CRISAN | Director of Coaching Downers Grove
Cristian@ajaxfutbol.com
COACHING EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Professional coach for more than 17 years
Coaching License | UEFA
USSF B License
International Sports Manager License
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Professional | U Cluj
Professional | CFR Cluj
Professional | Columbus Crew
Coach | Columbus Academy Varsity
Coach | College of DuPage
BIOGRAPHY
My dedication to soccer and care for kids is something I convey in all of my training sessions. The overall goal is to develop every player and share all the important parts of the game that I learned throughout my playing and coaching career, both in Europe and the US.
I played in Europe for 16 years, with U Cluj and CFR Cluj. I also had stints in Ohio with Columbus Crew in 1997/1998. At the same time, I coached the Columbus Academy Varsity team to an outstanding .91 during the 1997 fall season.
I have been teaching, consulting, training and coaching at travel club and college levels in the Chicago-land area since 2003, sharing my passion and love for the game, developing and inspiring players from 6 to 18 years old. I also trained both men and women teams as well as taught soccer classes at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
I like to focus my training around the long established pillars of soccer development: technical, tactical, physical and psychological. I rejoice with every player that reaches excellence and mastery of skills, the overall understanding and passion for the game. Developing the excellent characteristics of team play that will last a lifetime is also a huge priority in my coaching.
I encourage everyone to set high standards for themselves and to understand that achieving those heights is possible, only through persistent and dedicated training, a full commitment to the game and a relentless passion for the game. These characteristics intertwined with integrity, courage, and purpose are keystones that will make every individual successful in all avenues of life.
I have a USSF B license since 2008 and an International Sports Manager License since 2010.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a specialty in Industrial Robotics. I live in Clarendon Hills with my wife and 3 daughters.
I’m looking forward to sharing and to see everyone playing the wonderful game of soccer!
Head Coach Boys Program | East Aurora High school 2012 to 2015
Head Coach Girls Program | East Aurora High school 2012 to 2015
Boys Program Manager | JAMBUC Soccer Academy 2001 to 2004
Director of Coaching | JAMBUC Soccer Academy 2004 to 2016
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1st A Division Atlante Marte Captain | 1991 to 1995
Professional | Maroons
Professional | Sparta
Professional | Green and White
Professional | San Marcos
Professional | Tecalitlan
HONORS & AWARDS
Nike cup Champions
State Cup Champions
Best of the Midwest Champions
Oswego Classic Champions
Tennessee Invitational Championship
Penguin Cup Champions
East Aurora High school | Regional and Conference Champions
Club | FC United Premier
High School | Loyola Academy
College | Drake University
Michael participated in the Olympic Development Program (1987 age group). He began training with club at 9 years old. He was also the US Youth Soccer Regional Pool Player in 2004, he was one of the top players selected from 14 states in Midwestern US. He traveled throughout the US to play top level you sides. He played for FC United Premier from 2002-2006. While in high school he was the starting varsity goalkeeper as a freshman and was a starter all 4 years. In college, Michael was the top NCAA Division 1 goalkeeper for 3 weeks straight and was also nationally ranked in the top 25 NCAA Division 1 soccer programs for 8 weeks straight. He also had the All Time Combined GAA 1.06, which is the best in Drake history.
Assistant Director of Happyfeet Soccer Chicago 2009-2021
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
AFC rebels
Galaxy
Ajax
Naperville lightning
Waubonsie Valley Varsity 2009-2012
Intramural soccer EIU 2015-2017
Luis started out his soccer journey with his first travevl club, Naperville Lightning, in ’98. Making the jump from Lightning, he went on to play for ASC Rebels, Ajax FC, and Galaxy. Along with various travel club playing, he also has ODP experience, making it to the final round of tryouts in 2006. After club, he went on to play four years of high school soccer, playing three years of varsity at Waubonsie Valley High School. Luis has couached for the last 9 year at Happyfeet Soccer Chicago as a Coach/Assistant Director. Luis was also the Assistant Varsity Coach at Bolingbrook High School for the 21/22 season. Luis is excited to help grow the Ajax name and develop players into the best they can be.
Goalkeeper Coach | St. Xavier University
Goalkeeper Coach | Lewis University
Goalkeeper Coach | Chicago Fire Juniors
Coach Brett will join Ajax as an additional goalie coach, so that we are able to offer goalie training during the week. As a youth, he played goalkeeper for Ajax for 7 years, was on the 2007 Illinois ODP National Championship team, and was an ODP Golden Glove winner. He played for 5 years in the Major Arena Soccer league. He holds a USC level 2 goalkeeper coaching license and is excited to begin training with our Ajax goalies.