Luis Arreola

Staff Coach

Luis

USSF Grassroots Coaching License

Positive Coaching License (PCA) Certified

My coaching career started when I was 16-17 at FC Athletico. I have since coached at Pilsen Athletic FC and have also private trained many youth and college players in the northwest suburbs of Chicago as well as ran my own camps and clinics for the past couple years as Camisa10 Private Training. I would say my coaching philosophy puts the upmost importance on decision making and problem solving because to me thats what soccer is in its purest form. And I believe that the tools you use to make these decisions are your technical, mental and physical ability listed in that order of importance. I believe that the quality of your decisions are directly correlated to how developed each 3 of these aspects are in a player and by extension, how good a player is. Therefore as a coach, I highlight technical ability in almost all my sessions because ball mastery allows you to focus less on getting the ball under control and more on the game around you. It allows you to make decisions before you get the ball and create ideas because you can predict your touch rather than constantly reacting to an unpredictable touch on the ball. I encourage players to try and play with idea and intention and to take risk (of course within reason) because it allows for creativity and keeps the game exciting for both players and those watching. And finally constantly push players both individually and as a collective team so each player can reach their potential.

I grew up in Wheeling where I played and developed with a club my dad started called FC Athletico from U8-U16. During this time I also guest played with many top clubs in Chicago. I also did ODP where I made the State and Regional Team and competed in the ODP National event in Casa Grande, AZ. I was also invited to many USSF Training Centers held in Chicago, ID2 National Showcase held in Casa Grande, AZ, and 2 PDP Pre-Academy Regional Training Centers in Indiana. When I was around 14, I participated in a national tryout called Sueño Alianza and I was selected for a National Event held in Carson, California. From there I was invited for tryouts with Chivas de Guadalajara in Mexico where I was offered a spot on their U-15 Academy, residency in their clubhouse, as well as a 3-year contract. But I turned it down to pursue a prestigious private education and stay close to family at Lake Forest Academy where I had a 90% scholarship to play and study for the high-school. I was named IHSSCA All-Section Junior Year and received and Esmark All-American award that same year. I scored a total of 40+ goals and 20+ assist for LFA. The summer going into my freshman year of high school, I had trials in Germany with VFB Stuttgart and Schalke 04 that unfortunately did not work out. During my freshman year of high school, I was invited to 2 U.S. Youth Boys National Team Camps in Carson, California where I played 4 games and scored 2 goals for the United States. I also was honored with a “Starting XI” award as a freshman in a TDS College Combine. I then played USSDA Academy with Chicago Fire and FC Wisconsin while in Chicago. I was then offered a spot with Nomads SC from San Diego, California for the second semester of my junior year, who had a full residency program and a partnership with Xolos de Tijuana who were heavily scouting me at the time. Unfortunately, I suffered a major groin injury as soon as I started at Nomads that took a full year to recover and tore my MCL and meniscus within a month of return from my groin which took another 9 months for a full recovery. With no college offers on the table my second semester of my senior year of high school I figured I should take a gap year to risk it and try to play professionally. I did a couple showcases and was selected to go to preseason with 1st division teams in Latvia with FK Jurniks and Spartak Jurmala but while in Latvia, I re-tore my meniscus and needed another surgery. I came back to the States and scrambled for a college offer with only 3 months left to commit. I played my remaining USSDA academy season with Colorado Rapids and was able to get a D2 full-ride offer to Lewis University. Unfortunately, I suffered a heart condition my freshman year of college called AFIB and chose to red-shirt and transfer to NAIA school Roosevelt University on a full scholarship, where I currently attend and play. My first year at Roosevelt we made it to the NAIA National Tournament and I was named CCAC All-Conference Second-Team in 2019. I have been battling injuries and my heart condition these past couple years at Roosevelt but I am still thankful and happy that I am able to play despite injuries and health complications. I graduated in 2022 with my bachelors in finance and I am currently getting my MBA at Roosevelt University on track to graduate spring of 2024.

Outside of soccer I enjoy playing all sports and playing guitar. I enjoy reading and spending time with family.