Wilco’s soccer journey began at the age of 10, playing for his hometown club, VFC (Vlaardingse Voetbal Club). By 15, he transitioned to the regional professional club SVV (Schiedamse Voetbal Vereniging), whose youth program competed at the upper levels of Dutch soccer.
In 1993, Wilco was recruited by West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was a four-year starter. During his collegiate career, he led the Bobcats to a Division II National Championship and earned numerous accolades, including:
• 1st Team All-Conference
• 1st Team All-South Atlantic
• Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year
• All-American
He was also selected for the Collegiate All-Star Team of the East, an honor reserved for the top 18 players from NCAA Division II, III, and the NAIA.
In 1997, Wilco signed with the Dallas Sidekicks and, in 1998, joined the Richmond Kickers of the A-League. He later returned to Dallas, where he played for the Dallas Toros, Texas Rattlers and other semi-professional teams for an additional four years.
Wilco's experience within the renowned Dutch club system is complemented by his impressive coaching credentials. He holds:
• National USSF “A” Coaching License (2001)
• NSCAA Premier Diploma
• National Youth Coaching License
With over 25 years of coaching experience across various age groups and skill levels, Wilco has helped 54 players reach collegiate soccer, with many earning scholarships and some advancing to professional play.
Innovative Leadership in Soccer Development
Wilco's passion for soccer extends beyond coaching into building innovative soccer organizations:
• 2001 - 2012: Founded Club Classic Soccer and grew it from 1 team to over 65 teams across three locations.
• 2018: Established the non-profit Dutch Football Club with just 4 recreational players. Today, it has grown to over 400 players and 20 coaches, dedicated to fostering a community-based soccer environment similar to what Wilco experienced growing up.
• 2002: Created the Super Development League (SDL) — a first-of-its-kind league in North Texas. At it's time, Academy teams did not exist like they do today. North Texas State Soccer Association restricted professional youth coaches from forming and coaching teams under the age of 10. Wilco innovatively sanctioned the league through US Club Soccer, protecting professional youth coaches and enabling competitive development. Within three years, the SDL expanded to include over 300 Academy teams.
Wilco resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Kelly and their sons Nico and Koen.
When asked about his favorite moment as a player, Wilco fondly recalls the Cinderella story of the US Open Cup with Dallas Roma FC — a team of amateurs who defied the odds to defeat A-League and MLS professional teams. Read More -->
In 1993, Wilco was recruited by West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was a four-year starter. During his collegiate career, he led the Bobcats to a Division II National Championship and earned numerous accolades, including:
• 1st Team All-Conference
• 1st Team All-South Atlantic
• Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year
• All-American
He was also selected for the Collegiate All-Star Team of the East, an honor reserved for the top 18 players from NCAA Division II, III, and the NAIA.
In 1997, Wilco signed with the Dallas Sidekicks and, in 1998, joined the Richmond Kickers of the A-League. He later returned to Dallas, where he played for the Dallas Toros, Texas Rattlers and other semi-professional teams for an additional four years.
Wilco's experience within the renowned Dutch club system is complemented by his impressive coaching credentials. He holds:
• National USSF “A” Coaching License (2001)
• NSCAA Premier Diploma
• National Youth Coaching License
With over 25 years of coaching experience across various age groups and skill levels, Wilco has helped 54 players reach collegiate soccer, with many earning scholarships and some advancing to professional play.
Innovative Leadership in Soccer Development
Wilco's passion for soccer extends beyond coaching into building innovative soccer organizations:
• 2001 - 2012: Founded Club Classic Soccer and grew it from 1 team to over 65 teams across three locations.
• 2018: Established the non-profit Dutch Football Club with just 4 recreational players. Today, it has grown to over 400 players and 20 coaches, dedicated to fostering a community-based soccer environment similar to what Wilco experienced growing up.
• 2002: Created the Super Development League (SDL) — a first-of-its-kind league in North Texas. At it's time, Academy teams did not exist like they do today. North Texas State Soccer Association restricted professional youth coaches from forming and coaching teams under the age of 10. Wilco innovatively sanctioned the league through US Club Soccer, protecting professional youth coaches and enabling competitive development. Within three years, the SDL expanded to include over 300 Academy teams.
Wilco resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Kelly and their sons Nico and Koen.
When asked about his favorite moment as a player, Wilco fondly recalls the Cinderella story of the US Open Cup with Dallas Roma FC — a team of amateurs who defied the odds to defeat A-League and MLS professional teams. Read More -->
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