Academy Coaches

As Academy Director, Larry Sunderland will develop curriculum guidelines, monitor player and staff development, coach and oversee all soccer-specific aspects of Chicago Fire player development. He also serves as Technical Director/Head Coach of the Chicago Fire PDL, Super-20 and Juniors youth club. Sunderland holds the USSF “A” License, USSF National “Youth” License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and the KNVB “Youth” Certificate. He joined the USSF National Instructional Staff in 2000 and the NSCAA Associate National Staff in 2002. He has been a member of the Illinois and Wisconsin ODP staffs as well as Region II boys and girls staffs. His college coaching resume includes head coaching positions with the Men’s and Women’s programs at Wisconsin Lutheran College and Kendal College, as well as serving as the Men’s Assistant Coach at Long Island University/CW Post College. Sunderland’s professional playing career began in 1985 with the New York Express of the Major Indoor Soccer League. In 1986, he moved to the Milwaukee Wave of the National Professional Soccer League where he played until he joined the Chicago Power. In 1990-91 he was part of the Power’s Championship team before briefly returning to Milwaukee in 1993. Sunderland ended his playing career in 1996.

Kyle joined the Chicago Fire in September of 2012 as Player Development Manager and Academy Staff Coach. Kyle came to the Fire from U.S. Soccer where he was the Development Academy League Coordinator from 2010 to 2012. Prior to his time with the Fire Academy, Kyle served as staff coach for over 6 years in youth soccer including working with clubs such as Team Evanston, FC Milwaukee, Potomac Soccer Club and Classics FC Soccer Club. He currently holds a USSF National “D” License. Kyle graduated from The Ohio State University in the spring of 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Specialization in Marketing and Minor in Economics) and was recognized on the Dean’s List in the fall of 2008 and as an Academic All Big-Ten Selection in 2006 and 2007. While at Ohio State Kyle was a 4 year letter winner on the Varsity Men’s Soccer Team from 2004-07 where he was part of Ohio State teams that were NCAA Division 1 Postseason Tournament participant in 2004, 2005 and 2007, Tournament Finalist in 2007 and Big Ten Champions in 2004 and 2007.

Jon Dolinsky is a Chicago native and retired German-American player who played professionally in the MISL, ASL, USL, and AISA for 9 teams from 1978-1988 . He was a first team All Star in 1981 while playing for the Rochester Flash. In January 1987, the Milwaukee Wave elevated Dolinsky to the position of player/coach. In 1988 he retired as an active player and remained the Wave coach through 1990, while being named the 1989 AISA Coach of the Year. He became coach of the Dayton Dynamo for the 1991and 1992 seasons, advancing to the league championship in 1991. In 1995, he returned to his hometown and became an assistant coach with the Chicago Power. Following the season, he stepped out of the professional game to raise his family. He concentrated efforts on personal training and individual player development, training hundreds of young players from ages 6-10. He returned to the competitive side as a Director of Coaching for the Chicago Wind Soccer Club from 2004-2007. A four year starter on the Lewis University Soccer team, he holds a Bachelors Degree from Lewis, and is a member of the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, becoming the first soccer player inducted in 1985. Dolinsky holds a USSF “A” License and has four children.

Holding an USSF A License and an NSCAA Premier Diploma Marc McElligott brings the experience of 7 years as Director of Coaching at HUSA and 3 years as Boys Director of Coaching at Eclipse to Chicago Fire. A former ODP coach with Iowa and Illinois ODP where he won a Regional and National title in 2007. A winner of Illinois and Regional coach of the year awards during a run which saw the winning of USYS Nationals Championships in 2010 and 2011. Chicago Fire's U15 National title in 2011 being the first time an Illinois boys team has won back to back national titles.

In 2012, Rafael Carona Rodriguez joined the Fire as a proven director and coach, bringing with him over 30 years of broad experience in coaching at different levels. Prior to joining the Fire Rafael was at Club Atlético de Madrid where he served as the Assistant Coach for Youth Soccer the U12, U15 and U16 categories from 2002 to 2005. In 2006, he served as the Head Coach for Youth Soccer the U12, U15 and U16 categories as well as for the Honor Division (U18/U19) Team. Rafael holds the UEFA “A” License and earned a bachelor degree in Business from the University de Madrid in 1991. Rafael’s playing career began in 1979 playing for the under 12 category for Club Atlético de Madrid and ended in 1991 playing for the Club Atlético de Madrid Second Division (Reserve Team). Rafael has received training from renown soccer coaches such as Víctor Peligros, Ignacio Aguinaga , Iselín Santos Ovejero, Jose Armando Ufarte and Luis Aragonés.

Head coach of 2002 and 2000 academy. Joined Chicago Fire in 2011 summer as assistant coach with Chicago Fire PDL. Coached at Chicago United since 2008 in age groups ranging from u9s to u13s. Starting coaching in 2002 at Lincoln City academy (England), earned UEFA B level 2 license in 2003. Undergraduate assistant at UIC in 2010. Playing Career: England Lincoln City - Youth team 2002-2005 YTS Gainsborough Trinity - Conference North USA UIC 2007 - 2009 Elite Eight in 2007 Sweet sixteen in 2008 Chicago Fire PDL 2008

Raul Barillas has been working as a staff coach for the Chicago Fire Academy since July 2012 after serving as an Assistant Coach for Lewis University, (Romeoville, IL) in 2011 and for the 2010 IHSAA State Champion Lake Central (St. John, IN) boys soccer team.
Prior to his experiences as an Assistant Coach both at Lewis University and Lake Central, Raul Barillas spent two years with the Chicago Magic Soccer Club. He served as both the Director for ages 8 to 11 and the Assistant to the Technical Director for ages 12 to 15. He assisted the Chicago Magic U15 Girls team that won the 2009 National Cup VIII and U14 Boys team that won the 2010 National Cup IX.
As a collegiate student-athlete, Raul Barillas played for Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana from 2006 to 2008 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology Management. He has also competed on the national level and represented his country internationally as he was a member of the El Salvador Youth National Team for seven years (U11-U17).
At this moment, Raul Barillas holds both a USSF National “B” and National “Youth” license and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Elementary Education with a bilingual endorsement.

Victor Fernandez, U-11 Academy Head Coach, currently holds a USSF "A" license. Hispanic Player Scout and Recruiter, serves as a liaison between hispanic recruits and Larry Sunderland, Chicago Fire Academy/Technical Director. Fernandez played professional soccer for 11 years, his playing experience includes; Rockford Thunder, Chicago Power, Denver Thunder, Detroit Rockers and finally ending his career with the Chicago Power in 96'. Victor has continued his passion for the game by coaching competitive youth teams since ending his playing career.

Aron Hyde returns for his third season as the goalkeeping coach for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club in 2011. In his first two years with the Fire, Hyde has been integral in the development of U.S. international Sean Johnson. In addition to training the Fire’s goalkeeping core, the Birmingham, England product assists with scouting and the club’s Academy teams. The 29-year-old joined the Fire in 2010 after spending 2009 as an assistant coach with the University of Washington’s men’s team. Prior to joining the Huskies, Hyde worked as the Goalkeeping Coach for Seattle University’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, from 2006-09. Hyde previously coached for Seattle-based Emerald City FC where he served as assistant goalkeeper coach and head team coach for two of the boy’s club teams. He has been involved as a Region IV Staff Coach, an NSCAA goalkeeping staff instructor and with the Washington state Olympic Development Program. Hyde’s vast playing experience includes spells with Walsall FC, Millwall FC, and Wycombe Wanderers in his native England. Stateside, he spent time at Judson College (NAIA). He currently possesses his USSF A and USSF Goalkeeping licenses, and is currently working towards the completion of his UEFA A Coaching License. Hyde, who lives in Chicago, earned his Masters in Sport Administration and Leadership from Seattle University in 2009.

Stan Anderson is the Associate Head Coach at Marquette University, having just completed his fifth season there with Head Coach Louis Bennett after completing a 10 year run as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Bennett where the Panthers compiled a 136-63-17 record and five straight NCAA Tournament berths. Since then he has mentored all of the Golden Eagles' keepers, including Matt Pyzdrowski, who in 2010 signed a professional contract with the Portland Timbers (USSL Division-2). He has been named the nation’s top assistant coach by College Soccer News numerous times while also operating Camp Shutout, a premier camp for goalkeepers The Palatine, IL native and member of his high school’s hall of fame was a record breaking goalkeeper for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and was named an All-American in 1989. He received his degree in 1990 and spent a season as a professional player with the Dayton Dynamo playing for fellow Academy staff member Jon Dolinsky before moving into the coaching ranks. He is married to Mary and they have two sons, Anthony and Michael.