Hellenic United AC | Chicago, IL

HAUC "Blue" earned a 2-2 draw in their season opener after equalizing late in the second half against the Albanian Stars Sunday, May 2 at Doerhoefer Park in Downers Grove, Illinois.

HUAC "Blue" came out Sunday night against the Albanian Stars just how every HUAC supporter imagined that they would.  They attacked aggressively, pushed the ball hard and kept the Albanian Stars on their heels.   

HUAC pounded the Albanian Stars early in the first half, but it was the opposition that were rewarded in the 17th minute when one of the Albanian Stars strikers send the ball screaming in the bottom left corner of Dimitris Meletis' line after the Albanian side were rewarded a dubious free-kick.  

In yet another average performance the HUAC O30 "White" team lost 4-1 to a superior Pampas side. It became quite clear from the start of the game that HUAC would not have an easy afternoon against a seasoned and talented Pampas team. With less than 5 minutes on the clock a Pampas shot hit the post square and gave the Argentine side extra confidence to come forward with all their might. The Argentines are known for their attacking style and superior ball control and they were out to prove it.

HUAC was forced to defend at their own half of the field as the opponent attacked time after time, in a relentless effort to score before the half time whistle was blown. However a very well placed defensive line, reinforced by 2 defensive midfielders gave HUAC the opportunity to block the Pampas attacks. Good coverage from the sides by HUAC defenders Billy Javaras and Petro Papadatos, and a solid performance by Lee Zachos in the middle of the defense, along with an overloaded middle pretty much neutralized the Pampas offensive line, and allowed them no other meaningful chance in front of the HUAC goal. The few times that Pampas managed to make a run towards the goal, HUAC goalie George Zarafonitis, was always first to the ball to intercept.

In the second match of the season, HUAC Over-40s ended up with no marbles left in the bag after dominating a game they should have easily won in a waterlogged pitch at Windmere Park vs International SC.

Even a draw would have been an unfair result, as HUAC blew every chance to put away their back-peddling opponents - and when you add tough luck ( 2 shots on post ) to wasteful finishing,  it was  inevitable that a loss was forthcoming.

At last week's victorious season opener,  HUAC had  no problems creating clear goal scoring opportunities. This was not the case this week as the bad omens were there from the beginning. This time around, HUAC  lacked composure and clinical finishing in front of the goal and sent several chances missing.