Winner of the club’s January 2011 Open Tryout, Pantazopoulos would go on to sign for the first team after impressing through preseason training camp. A midfielder converted to left back, the Greek-born Chicago transplant will look to make his first team MLS debut heading into 2012.
2011: Joined the first team after winning the club’s Open Tryout and advancing through three phases of preseason to sign with the club on April 4…Never appeared in an MLS match but made the gameday 18 several times…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Made his first team debut, going the full 90 minutes at left back in a 1-0 third round victory 6/28 at Rochester. INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Appeared in both matches logging 47 minutes… Came on in the 88th minute of the 3-1 loss 7/23 vs. Manchester United…Was a halftime sub in a 1-0 loss 9/14 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara…MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: Appeared in nine matches, starting eight, tallying one assist over 765 minutes.
Prior Experience: Joined Cypriot club Asyl Lisis in 2007… Played for Greek second division side Zakynthos from 2008-09…Moved to third division Korinthos and then Aspropyrgos Enosis during the 2009-10 seasons.
Youth: Joined Vrislissia Academy in his native Greece at eight years old. Following his family’s move to Mt. Prospect, played for Green and White (1998-02) before joining the Chicago Magic (2002-07).
Personal: Grew up following the Fire from their days at Soldier Field, Cardinal Stadium and Toyota Park… Counted Ante Razov, Peter Nowak and current head coach Frank Klopas as his favorite players.