Hellenic United AC | Chicago, IL

HUAC Blue capped off a very successful inaugural season by clinching a playoff spot with their 6-0 victory over CKS Warta on October 4th at College of Du Page. Hellenic United still has one regular season match remaining (v. BH Lillies) to be played on October 7th at Olympic Park in Schaumburg, but their convincing victory over relegated Warta assured the NSL newcomers of second place in the Blue Division.
 
Hellenic United got on the board early with a strike from Zekail Gezafer in the 5th minute of the match and never looked back. Gezafer notched a second tally later in the half to go along with goals from Alen Smjecanin, Nermin Dautovic, Elias Litos, and goalkeeper David Barszczowski for the final 6-0 scoreline.
 
"I'm really happy for the club and the boys" said HU coach Andy Sotiropoulos. "It's been a long season and it seemed like every match we played, with a few exceptions, was a struggle. Heck, we lead the league in ties. Nothing came easy for us, but in the end, we were able to qualify for the playoffs. Our initial goal as a club was to avoid relegation. We did that. We wanted to win a state cup, and we did that, albeit as co champs. We also wanted to make a good showing at the Schwaben and Green White tourneys-and we did that also. Then later in the year when it looked like we would have a shot at the playoffs, we set our sights there....and managed to accomplish that also. Every goal we set for ourselves in the season, we met. I couldn't ask for anything more from the boys.
 
We really struggled with injuries throughout the year. We've had to play with makeshift lineups virtually the entire season. Nonetheless, the boys pulled through.  In a league like this, to make the playofs in our first year with our club philosophy and a very limited budget is truly an accomplishment.
 
As far as the match is concerned, well, there's not much to say. Warta was already relegated and had really nothing to play for. I just wanted an early goal to take the pressure off, and we got it. Emcho (Emir Hadziahmetovic) played a fantastic match at sweeper. It's so good to have him back after such a long lay off (four months) due to injury. Jovica Nanic also was superb. I'm not sure I've had a more consistent player than Jovi all year long. I don't know of too many fullbacks in this league having a better season than Jovica.
 
It was also good to get David (Barszczowski) on the score sheet. I know he has been itching to play in the field all year long, and he got his opportunity today. Not bad at all. Had some nice touches on the ball and absolutely buried the penalty kick that Danilo (Acamovic) won for him. I just hope he doesn't get any crazy ideas about where his future lies with this club as a result. You never know with David, he may ask me to give him a run at striker........."
 
HU: Barszczowski-Nanic, Holland, Abraham, Hadziahemtovic-Prses, Villanueva, Dautovic, Guzina-Smjecanin, Gezafer (Mahmutovic, Litos, Acamovic, Khoshaba)