Lewis University Athletics

Mike Matkovich has over 30 years of soccer coaching experience across the international, professional and youth levels.  He is currently the Sporting Director for FC Central Illinois, a youth program based in Normal.

Matkovich began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Lewis and as a coach at Bolingbrook High School.  In 1987, he founded the Chicago Magic Soccer Club building it into one of the most elite youth programs in the country.  Matkovich was recognized as the NSCAA National Youth Coach of the Year in 2000 and his club was named the nation's top youth program for 2005-2007.

Matkovich began his professional coaching career with the Chicago Power of the indoor National Professional Soccer League from 1990-1994, leading them to the league title in 1990. He later served as an assistant coach in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC, Chivas USA, Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew.

It is player development where Matkovich has been most successful having helped develop players such as US National team players Brad Guzan, Jay Demerit, Jonathan Spector and Chris Rolfe.  In addition to his coaching with the Magic, Matkovich guided the Chicago Fire Reserves of the Premier Development League (PDL) to a 71-8-7 record from 2000-2006. 

He coached in the US Men's National Team system including a stint as the US Men's U-18 Head Coach from 2009-2011.  Mike served as Director ofOperations / Coaching for the Chicago Fire Juniors Soccer Club from 2011-2018 and coached the Des Moines Menace of the PDL from 2015-2016.