MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Sign Open Tryout Winner Paraskevas "Pari" Pantazopoulos to Contract

April 4, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (April 4, 2011) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that 2011 Open Tryout winner Paraskevas "Pari" Pantazopoulos has signed with the Fire following the club's preseason camp. Pantazopolous earned a chance to trial with the Fire after beating out 210 players from 19 different nations to win the Fire's annual Open Tryout in early January. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Pari came in to camp eager to learn and be a part of this team," said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. "Over the course of the last couple of months Pari worked tirelessly to earn his spot. His undeniable charisma and passion for this game coupled with his experiences in Greece and Cyprus were defining factors in us signing Pari."

Born in Athens, Greece, Pantazopoulos began his soccer career with Vrilissia Academy in Greece at eight-years-old. Following his family's move to Mt. Prospect, Il., the the 22-year-old midfielder played with Green and White (1998-2002) and the Chicago Magic (2002-2007) before joining Asyl Lisis in Cyprus in 2007. After a year's stay in Cyprus, Pantazopoulos returned to the country of his birth to play with Zakynthos from 2008-2010.

"Playing professional soccer has always been a dream of mine," said Pantazopoulos. "I moved to Chicago in 1998 and grew up idolizing Fire players like Razov, Nowak and Klopas and now I'm a part of this team. I'm thankful to the Fire organization for this unbelievable opportunity."

The Fire return to league play Saturday, April 9 against Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field at 3:00 p.m. CT on CSN. The Men in Red will return home to TOYOTA PARK to face the LA Galaxy on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. CT (TeleFutura). Chicago Fire Season Tickets, which include a ticket to the Chicago Fire - Manchester United match at Soldier Field, are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com.

Name: Paraskevas "Pari" Pantazopoulos

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 180 lbs.

Date of Birth: Sept. 17, 1988

Place of Birth: Athens, Greece

Hometown: Mt. Prospect, Il

Citizenship: United States, Greece

Last Club: Zakynthos (GRE)

Acquired: Signed on April 4, 2011

ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL. For more information on the Chicago Fire, please visit the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

ABOUT TOYOTA PARK

Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest's preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2010, TOYOTA PARK hosted Jimmy Buffett and Phish, while welcoming back Eric Clapton and his Crossroads tour.

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