History

 

The History of FC Milwaukee

 

In 1990 The Milwaukee Kickers Nationals program was created with the goal of becoming Nationally Competitive.  Twelve years later under a new name, FC Milwaukee, that goal came to fruition.  In the small soccer market of Milwaukee, FC Milwaukee has established itself as one of the most competitive clubs in the Midwest and the country. 

 

The turning point for the program was the hiring of Peter Knezic in 1991.  Peter Knezic retired from the Milwaukee Wave in 1990.  A fixture in the Wisconsin soccer community Pete embodied the integrity of the game.  He played collegiate soccer with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where he was a Team Captain and an NCAA All American.  Professionally he played with a variety of teams indoor and outdoor before finishing the last 6 years of his career with the Milwaukee Wave.  Donned with the nickname Mr. Assist, Pete was renowned for his unselfish play and pinpoint passing. He was the first player from the Wave to have his jersey retired.  It is no mistake that the leadership Pete displayed on the field translated into running a youth soccer club.

 

From 1991 to the year 2000 Pete was the head of The Milwaukee Kickers Nationals Program.  Pete placed an emphasis on finding and training the most dedicated and ethical coaches.  He then put in place a developmental program that placed a priority on age appropriate practices.  The program flourished, winning 2 Midwest Regional Championships and fifty-seven State Championships. 

 

 

FC Milwaukee Begins

 

In the year 2000 FC Milwaukee, formerly The Milwaukee Kickers Nationals, became its own club.  The program continued to thrive.  In 2001 FC Milwaukee won the U20 Women’s National Championship. 

 

In the next 7 years FC Milwaukee flourished on and off the field.  The club grew in size from under 300 to over 400 players, state championships were the norm (amassing 68 from 2001 to 2007) and 6 times the club won Midwest Regional Championships. 

      

In 2007 FC Milwaukee was one of 70 clubs around the country, and the only club from Wisconsin, invited to join the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) for boys run by the US National Team Program.  Due to our rich history of producing top players and teams FC Milwaukee was imparted the responsibility by US Soccer to provide the home and training ground for Wisconsin’s top talent.

 

In 2009 FC Milwaukee was the only club in Wisconsin to join 40 of the nation’s top girls clubs in the inaugural season of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).  With a season schedule and its own National championship the league is the host for the best girls’ soccer players in the country.

 

With over 400 college soccer players produced and a host of youth national team players and professional players FC Milwaukee continues to lead the way in the state of Wisconsin for youth soccer player development.  We look forward to continuing to be on the cutting edge of youth soccer for years to come.