Pari Pantazopoulos

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.

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.”