"Mom, This is the Place for Me": Finding a Home at FC Wisconsin
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
When looking for a youth soccer club, families are often forced into an exhausting tryout season, bouncing from field to field in search of a new home. But sometimes, the right fit is instantly recognizable. For one local player, it only took a single evening of tryouts at FC Wisconsin to walk off the pitch and say, "Mom, this is the place for me."
Three years later, that initial feeling has blossomed into an incredible development journey from a U14 recruit to a U17 standout.
In this parent spotlight, we explore the benefits of the FC Wisconsin methodology. From the fluid mobility that allows hardworking players to climb from Regional (RL) to National (ECNL) teams, to the high-intensity Winter Champions League that keeps players sharp indoors, the club’s commitment to player growth is undeniable. But as this parent shares, it isn't just the stellar coaching or the Germantown turf fields that make the club special — it’s the genuine camaraderie, the seamless communication, and a community of families you actually want to travel with.
FC Wisconsin Parent Testimonial by Alexandra Kolacio
Here is an inside look at why hard work truly pays off at FC Wisconsin, both on and off the pitch.
How long have you been a part of FC Wisconsin?
My son came to FC Wisconsin as a U14. He's now a U17, so we've been around for a little bit. He had only played for a few months on a club team, and that club was sort of falling apart. And so we, it was tryout time and he decided to go to all of the clubs in the area to try out. Already after the first tryout evening, he came out and was like, Mom, this is the place for me. I love it here.
What has been your favorite experience at FC Wisconsin?
I'm not sure if we have a favorite tournament or favorite moment with the club. There's so much good stuff that has happened for him there. Maybe the tournament that stands out the most would be the ECNL tournament in Florida a couple of years ago. He went and guest played. He was on RL and after that second game, he got asked to join the ECNL team. So that was probably his most glorious moment. But there have been so many great travels, so much good time with the parents, the kids, good games, good coaching, even just training on a regular basis is fabulous there.
How has the club impacted your son/daughter? Share an example.
Lucas is a hard worker and super focused, but even still, I think that at FC Wisconsin, he has learned the value of working hard, training hard, and the fact that improvement will be noticed. There's mobility within teams. Just because you start out on a regional team doesn't mean that you can't. Move on to a national team. But what I have to say, regardless of what level team you're on, that the coaches are absolutely stellar, and care so much about the kids.
What stands out about the club's facilities, scheduling, or communication?
The club has two outdoor turf fields at the main location in Germantown. It's pretty convenient access from all directions. I know we have players from all over the place as far as Madison. During the winter months, we move indoors to an indoor facility, and we have what's called Champions League. Several age groups are combined, divided up into four teams, and these teams play amongst themselves. They're super high intensity games, fast paced, they sharpen their skills in the winter, so that when springtime rolls around, we're in really good position. Communication from the club is excellent. Each team has a manager that sends out a weekly email, sometimes more if needed. And so you will never be lost or not know what's going on.
Would you recommend FC Wisconsin to a friend or colleague? Why?
I would wholeheartedly recommend the club. In fact, I already have. The level of coaching is outstanding, and just as importantly, the level of care they show for the players really stands out to me. It's not just about the soccer either. The families that have come together here have created a really great community of kids and parents. When you're spending this much time at the club, it's nice to genuinely enjoy being around the other families. You end up traveling with them to tournaments. The boys hang out, the parents hang out. It's just a great overall community. The boys on my son's team are great kids. There's a real sense of camaraderie among them. It's been a really positive experience for all of us.