Executive Director

Tony has been coaching soccer since 1999.  What started out as a part-time job through college, has now turned into a career. Tony has excelled through the coaching ranks working with youth soccer players, US Development Academy players and coaching collegiately.  Tony believes through soccer we can teach youth players three basic values, hard work, discipline, and responsibility.  By learning these values and developing them, we can build better soccer players and leaders for the future.

Coaching Experience

• McCracken Junior High (Volunteer Coach 1999)
• Lake Forest Soccer Association (Staff Coach 2001 – 2005)
• Chicago Wind (Staff Coach 2005 – 2008)
• Chicago Magic PSG (Director of Coaching, US Development Academy Head Coach 2009 - 2016)
• Roosevelt University Women’s Soccer (Staff Coach 2013 – Present) 

Personal Time

• Spending time with family and friends
• Working out
• Watching Soccer

Favorite Quotes

• To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift

Coaching License

• USSF  A Senior License

Coaching Education:
Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
NSCAA National Youth
Swedish Coaching License
USSF “B” License

Coaching Experience:
2004-Present: Glenview Soccer Club
2002-2003: Barrington Soccer Club
1995-1997: Youth coach at Garmisch, Germany
1987-1991: Player-coach in Sweden (Brunnby FF and Kagerod FF)
1984-1986: Youth coach at Angelholms FF
1977-1980: Head Coach for the women’s team at Valur, Reykjavik Iceland

Coaching Accomplishments:
Multiple championships with GSC during the last 7 years
Glen Ellyn tournament champions with U12 Boys (Barrington)
1987: Kulla-Bjare Cup Champion (Sweden) as a player coach with Brunnby FF
1988: Kulla-Bjare Cup Champion (Sweden) as a player coach with Brunnby FF
1978: Icelandic Champion as a head coach for Valur Women’s team
Multiple indoor and tournament championships in the last 10 years

Playing Experience:
1996-1997: Played for Garmisch, Germany
1987-1991: Player/coach Brunnby FF and Kagerod IF (Sweden)
1983-1987: Helsingborg IF, Mjallby IF, Hittarp (Sweden)
1982-1983: Denver Avalanche, Buffalo Stallions, and Kansas City Comets
1980-1982: Edmonton Drillers, Alberta, Canada
1977-1980: Icelandic National Team 7 games (v Sweden, Norway, Russia, Turkey)
1976-1980: Won the Icelandic Championship 3 times, and the League Cup 3 times
1976-1980: Played 8 European Championship qualifying games for Valur Reykjavik
1974-1975: Icelandic Youth National Team (5 European Championship games)
1965-1975: Won multiple Icelandic Championships with the youth teams at Valur
1965-1980: Valur Soccer Club Reykjavik Iceland

Personal Bio:
Soccer has always been a part of my life since I started playing for Valur in Iceland at the age of 7. Winning championships with Valur and playing for the Icelandic National team are the highlights of my playing career. I was also fortunate to practice with Arsenal (England) for a month at the age of 16. I love to coach and one of my best coaching moments was when I was the women’s team head coach and Valur won the Icelandic Championship in 1978 (I was only 20 years old). Coaching and playing soccer have taken me to many new places, and I have learned to speak many different languages as a result. I live in Niles with my wife Marianne. We have 5 children: Kristin, Caroline, Emma, Nikolas, and Kristjan (a current GSC player!) I love traveling, playing chess, and spending time with my family and relatives.

Playing Experience: 

Grew up in Sliven, Bulgaria and played for Hidji Dimitar academy top talent regional team.

• NCAA Division I Soccer Athlete, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

• All Regional Team Player of the year, Harper College, Palatine, IL

• All Regional Player of the year, East Leyden High School, Franklin Park, IL

• At age 16 started playing in the Metropolitan Soccer League; Eagles, Lightning, Serbs 

Coaching Experience:  

Chicago Magic PSG Soccer Club, Highland Park, IL

Jan 2003 - August 2014

• Pre-Academy Director of coaching NPL/Premiership U12-U18Boys teams

• USSDA Assistant Boys Coach for U14, U16, U18 under Louie Mateus

• Developed youth model curricula for ages u8-u18 for the boys and girls programs

• Collaborate with college coaches to help student/athletes getting into universities on academic-athletic scholarships 

• Work with former USA National Team Men’s coach Martin Vasquez assistant under Jurgin Klinsmann 

• Worked with US National team players 1 on 1, and developed their training sessions as well as workout programs 

Coaching History:

• Chicago Magic Soccer Club -11 years 

• Evanston Soccer Club – 1 year

• Eastern Illinois University Camps- 4 years

• Western Michigan University Camps- 4 years 

• Coerver Illinois Coaching Staff – 3 years 

Coaching Accomplishments:

Head Coach Accomplishments for:  95s, 98s, 99s 

• 99’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team ranked # 2 in the Nation (2012)

• 99’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team Disney Champion (2013)

• 99’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team Finalist of NPL Nationals (2014)

• 98’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team ranked #3 in the Nation (2012)

• 98’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team Disney Champion (2013)

• 98’s Chicago Magic PSG Boys team Finalist of Nationals (2013NPL+2014 USYSA)

• 95’s Chicago Magic PGS Boys team Nationals + Metropolitan Soccer League

• Multiple US Soccer Development Academy Playoff appearances U16s, U18s 

Coaching Education:

• NSCAA National Diploma 

• ASEP Nation Certification 

• Coerver National Certification 

• USSF National D License 

Personal: Teaches Physical Education grades 5-12th in the South Side of Chicago. Enjoy working out, playing soccer, basketball, boating, traveling, and listening to music. I am currently living in the River North area of Chicago.

2014-2015 Teams:
Boys U9 Premier
Girls U9 Premier
Girls U10 Classic

Coaching Education:
Yugoslavia “B” License
USSF “D” License

Coaching Experience:
2007-Present: Glenview Soccer Club
2003-2007: Lake Forest United
2002-2006: Warren Blazers United
1997-2001: VFL Germania 94, Frankfurt, Germany
1996-1997: FV Progres, Frankfurt, Germany, 3rd division
1985-1986: FK Lokomotiva Brcko, Yugoslavia, 3rd division

Coaching Accomplishments:

2011 thru 2014
lots to list . . .

2010/2011
Palatine Celtic Cup: U12 Boys Elite, Champions
Palatine Celtic Cup: U11 Girls Select, 2nd place
Girls U10 Select C Division Champions
Boys U10 Select Division 5 Champions
Boys U11 Elite Division 5 Champions

2009/2010
Illinois Cup: U 9 Girls Elite, Champions
Palatine Celtic Cup: U10 Girls Elite, Champions
Palatine Celtic Cup: U10 Girls Select, Champions
Libertyville Octoberfest Classic: Boys U11 Elite, Champions
Libertyville Octoberfest Classic: Girls U10 Select, Champions
Girls U9 Elite AB Division Champions
Girls U9 Select BN Division Champions
Boys U9 Elite Division 3 + 4 Champions

Playing Experience:

Professional
1981-1983: FK Celik Zenica, Yugoslavia, 1st & 2nd division
1973-1981: FK Zeleznicar Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1st division
1971-1973: FK Buducnost, Podgorica, Yugoslavia 1st & 2nd division
1969-1971: FK Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, 1st division

Personal Bio:
I started playing soccer at the age of eight, and signed my first professional contract at 16, so my whole life has been about soccer. I am married and have two adult children.

Coaching Education:

Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma
USSF “D” License

Coaching Experience:

2011-Present: Glenview Soccer Club
2003-2011: Team Evanston

Coaching Accomplishments:

2010 Toyota Cup: U11 Girls 1st place
2007 Palatine Cup: U10 Girls 1st place
2007 Park Ridge Tournament: U9 Girls 1st place
Multiple indoor and outdoor division titles 

Playing Experience:

Club Soccer: “Trakia” Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Personal Bio:

I have played soccer for as long as I can remember. I started on the streets and in the parks of Plovdiv, just like all of the other kids. At age 11, I joined the highly competitive development program for “Trakia” Plovdiv. I played with them and with my high school varsity team through my teens. Now as a coach I am trying to provide a fun environment for youth players to develop as soccer players. I live in Skokie with my wife Djilda, and my children Eric and Sarah. I love spending time with my family, reading books, and watching and playing soccer.