For Jose Smith, soccer has never been just a sport. It’s been a constant.
He grew up playing in his hometown of Bourbonnais, Illinois. He spent years competing and coached for nearly two decades, running nationally ranked teams and working with Chicago Fire FC.
He even met his wife through soccer. “One of the board members I coached with introduced us,” he says. Soccer made its way into their wedding, with subtle nods to the game woven throughout their ceremony and reception.
Now, with two young daughters of his own, Jose’s love for the game has taken on a new meaning: “It’s different now, but in the best way. Soccer is still at the center of my life, but now it’s about building something that matters for them and for our community.”
Soccer for Everyone
Jose leads Chicagoland United SC (CUSC), which offers everything from club programs to MLS GO-rec programming across Bourbonnais, Orland Park, and Wilmington. While his resume includes coaching some of the most competitive teams in the country—at one point ranking top-10 nationally—it’s the youngest players who now have his heart.
“I love creating leagues for our youngest players,” he says. “That’s where the game is pure.”
It’s that mindset that led him to build one of the most unique rec programs in the country—one that offers the benefits of a club experience, but remains accessible to everyone. It's also why MLS GO made so much sense.
“I’d worked with the Fire for years. When I heard about MLS GO, everything just lined up,” he says. “It was a chance to reconnect with the pro game and bring a new level of excitement to our community rec programs. I didn’t have to change anything—just rebrand what we were already doing.”
His players now show up in official MLS GO gear, including reversible jerseys that let them rep the pro teams. “Not everyone’s a Fire fan,” he says. “It’s great for the kids to have options and feel connected to something bigger.”
Recreation That Opens Doors
Most rec leagues play teams within their own town, but Jose’s MLS GO program does things differently.
His rec teams head to nearby communities to compete—just like club teams do. “It gives kids a new experience,” he says. “For some of them, it’s their first time playing outside their hometown. They get to feel like they’re part of something big. And for parents, it’s $125, not $1,000.”
That model has turned heads. It’s still rec, but offers travel without the cost, the pressure, or the exclusivity. “Some parents can’t afford travel soccer, but that shouldn’t mean the kids miss out on the fun or the experience.”
That sense of community extends beyond his own league. Jose is also intentional about how he works with nearby programs by choosing collaboration over competition.
“There’s a lot of history in these local rec leagues,” he says. “I’ve always tried to support what they’re doing, not go against it. I offer help when they need it—whether that’s advice, staff, or resources—and in return, they’ve supported what I’ve built, too.”
Building Memories Beyond the Field
What really sets Jose’s rec league apart is the experience he builds around it. Every season ends with a festival-style tournament that’s a full-on family celebration.
“We bring in teams from other towns. We’ve got bounce houses, taco trucks, music, local mascots like Sparky from the Chicago Fire,” he says. “It’s a good time for everyone, not just the players.”
And he’s intentional about making sure every kid feels like they’re part of something special.
“Some of these kids will never be on a travel team. They might never get to stay in a hotel for a tournament. So we create something memorable right here. They wear their jerseys, they play teams from other towns, and they go home with a smile.”
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