Since 1977 under the direction of former college, professional and World Cup coach Joe Machnik, No.1 Soccer Camps has become the most trusted name in soccer camps.
That first year, Machnik started the No.1 Goalkeeper’s Camp with 39 goalkeepers from thirteen states participating in a one week session. Coaches John Kowalski, Shep and Roy Messing, Mickey Cohen, Peter Johnson and Danny Gaspar joined Machnik in putting the young goalkeepers through their paces.
By 1995, it became evident that goalkeepers had progressed in technical areas, but tactical decision making abilities, which could only be tested by field players in match situations was missing. In addition, the lack of goal-scoring abilities was rampant in America and a striker’s curriculum was needed to provide players with opportunity to enhance technique and composure in front of the goal.
Accordingly, Machnik and Kowalski incorporated field players into the No.1 Soccer Camps program with the addition of the Star Striker’s School which was the forerunner of the No. 1 Striker Camp program. Within no time, field players came from all over the country and the world to attend the unique No. 1 Soccer Camps program. Machnik and his experienced professional staff continue to refine the program and update the methodology utilized to get results on both sides of the ball. In 2016, in response to age group and field size mandates from US Soccer, No. 1 Soccer Camps responded with steps to assist players and teams throughout this important transition.
In 1996, Sports Illustrated for Kids named No.1 Camps the TOP CAMP in the country.
Over the years, the No.1 Camper and Staff Alumni list has developed to become a virtual Who’s Who in American soccer. Names like Greg Andrulis, Dave Vanole, Frans Hoek, Rick Kessel, Rick Schweizer, Mark Dodd, Tony Meola, Brad Friedel, Brianna Scurry, Janusz Michalik, Clark Brisson, Mike Potier, Todd Bramble, Skye Eddy, Nicholas DeMarsh, Nick Roberts, Lyndse Hokanse, to name a few became synonymous with the No.1 Soccer Camps effort. Numerous MLS Goalkeepers – Kevin Hartman, Joe Cannon, Nick Rimando, Matt Reis and Jon Busch are all graduates of the No.1 Goalkeepers Camp, as well as, No.1 Striker, Hercules Gomez, a member of the USA 2010 World Cup Team currently playing in Mexico’s top Division.
With over 85,000 satisfied No.1 Campers, the list is countless as to the numbers that have played at the highest levels of intercollegiate soccer on athletic scholarships, as well as, in USA U17 and U20 programs for both men and women, and in the NPSL, MISL, USL, MLS and WPS.