Hellenic United Athletic Club | Chicago, USA

Random thoughts, comments and musings from Hellenic United's performance this past weekend in the Schwaben Tournament Mens Open Division:
 
MVP
 
Alen Malkoc
 
The HU captain put on a simply stunning display at sweeper both days. His inspired effort against Barnstonworth Rovers Saturday night was one for the ages.
 
Runner Up: Miralem Mahmutovic, Mahir Mameledzija (tie)
 
If not for Malkoc's outstanding display, Mahmutovic may have walked away with MVP honors. Virtually flawless both days. His solo effort in the quarterfinal match leading to HU's goal was a thing of beauty.
 
Mameledzija, a high school senior to be "on loan" from NK Prijedor for the tourney, opened quite a few eyes with his stellar play at center midfield. He was the midfield engine that made HU go.
Honorable Mention: Zekail Gezafer, Nermin Dautovic (tie)
 
If the award were based solely on first day play, Gezafer would have taken top honors. Scored two spectacular goals and was a constant threat for opposing defenses. Foot blisters severely hampered his play in the quarterfinal match.

If not for a slow start to the tourney, Dautovic would have contended for top honors. Really imposed himself as the tourney wore on, especially in the match against Barnstonworth Rovers.
 
Best Goal
 
Zekail Gezafer, Alen Smjecanin (tie) 
 
Not much to chose from between Gezafer's brilliant volley against Barnstonworth and Smjecanin's tally versus Jahbat after a spectacular solo run by Mahmutovic. Both goals brought the spectators oot of their seats.
 
Best Save
 
Ogar Khoshaba
 
Khoshaba's instinctive save against Green White on a point blank header in his first match for HU drew several ooh's and ah's from the crowd. 
 
Best Match
 
Hellenic United v. Barnstonworth Rovers (2-2)
 
Consistent end to end action in a do or die match for both sides. This thriller wasn't decided until two minutes before time. Three spectacular goals, numerous missed opportunities, a disputed tying goal via pk in the dying minutes ......this barn burner had it all.
 
Impressive Debuts
 
Mahir Mameledzija and Milan Tica both made their HU debuts in impressive fashion. 
 
Mameledzija was all the money at center midfield. "It's damn near impossible to believe that Mahi just turned seventeen and still has one more high school season to play" said coach Andy Sotiropoulos. "His soccer IQ and game maturity is off the charts. It's pretty obvious somebody has taught this kid how to play the game the right way. He's going to make some college coach very happy."
 
Tica stepped in immediately at left fullback and made quite an impression. "Here's another kid with a very high soccer IQ" said Sotiropoulos. "It's no coincidence he's going to Yale. Very hard to believe he just graduated high school. Wonderful young man."
 
Help from Hellenic United White
 
HU White midfielder Dan Taylor also made his HU Blue debut. "I've told the guys on the White team that if they work hard and play well, they'll get their chance" said Sotiropoulos. Ryan Bowman was also called up from HU White for the tourney but could not attend due to a last minute family emergency. "Both Taylor and Bowman deserved it. They've played well all season long. I would have liked to have given Taylor some more minutes, but we're really stacked at his position. Nonetheless, he did exactly what I wanted him to do when he got in there."
 
Most Improved
 
Jesus Villanueva
 
After a slow start to the season, "Chuey" has come along and made a strong push for the starting right midfield spot. "Jesus started the season severley out of shape" said Sotiropoulos. "As the season has progressed, he has made great strides. He's playing with a ton more confidence and really asserting himself. He really did a nice job this past weekend".
 
Making a Statement
 
Miralem Mahmutovic
 
"Miki" played this tournament like a man possessed after not getting much time in the State Cup semi final against Warta. "This kid is tough as nails" said Sotiropoulos. "He played the entire weekend with a chip on his shoulder. Sometimes we have to reign in his overexuberance, but he's really come on after we moved him to his natural position of center back."
 
Best Sight(s)
 
Over 30 coach Spiro Arsenis on the bench during HU's quarterfinal match hollering encouragement despite having lost his voice earlier.
 
Club President John Kosmas nervously pacing the sidelines versus Jahbat, urging the team on.
 
Several Over 30 team members sticking around and showing their support in the quarterfinal match.
 
HU Blue supporting the Over 30 side in numbers during their quarterfinal match against Lions.
 
Newcomers Milan Tica and Mahir Mameledzija explaining to coach Andy Sotiropoulos how they BOTH scored higher on their ACT scores than he did, much to the delight of the rest of their HU teammates sitting nearby.
 
Coaches Corner 
 
"Overall, I'm pretty happy with our performance" said Sotiropoulos. "I really like the improved play of our midfield. We're starting to play the way I want us to play. We're not there yet, but I see signs of improvement. We played the entire tourney without four starters. I wanted to give some young kids a chance, and they responded. Not much more I can ask. We would have liked to have won it, but tourneys like these sometimes are a crapshoot. If you play this tourney again ten times, you may get ten different winners.
 
It was also an important tournament for the entire club. Both our Mens Open and Over 30 sides made the quarterfinals in their respective debuts. The Over 30 side is on the verge of becoming a  dominant side. They showed it with their performances against powerhouses like Schwaben and Lions, playing without several key starters. And our Mens Open team is competing in a State Cup Final and winning a qualifying group in the Schwaben tourney. Not bad for a team that didn't even exist 3 1/2 months ago."