Prospect soccer star giving Fire his best shot

If Paraskevas (Pari) Pantazopoulos were being judged by the Fire brain trust on excitement level alone, he’d be a shoo-in for a roster spot.

The kid from Mount Prospect clearly is enjoying his preseason trial with the club to the fullest, as his broad smile attests.

Of course, coach Carlos de los Cobos and technical director Frank Klopas are looking for other qualities as well. Pantazopoulos is trying to show those other qualities in his bid to beat the long odds against him and find a spot as a developmental player.

“So far so good,” Pantazopoulos said. “I’m just excited, obviously, to be part of the Fire so far. I’m just working hard, staying in shape and I’m doing a lot so far after being here a week and a half now. I’m just really, really excited to be a part of this.”

Pantazopoulos, 22, earned his way to preseason training the hard way, through an open tryout last month with more than 200 other soccer players. Only Pantazopoulos emerged with the opportunity to join with the full squad when it started preseason training last week.

“It’s obviously a dream come true. I’ve said this over and over again, it’s every kid’s dream to be part of this,” Pantazopoulos said after practice Wednesday at the Bridgeview Soccer Dome.

Klopas and de los Cobos haven’t given Pantazopoulos any feedback yet, not surprisingly. They’re just letting the kid play and biding their time until the next decision day, Friday. That’s when they’ll decide whether Pantazopoulos is good enough to take next week to Florida and then South Carolina for more preseason training.

“I’m expecting (to travel), God be with me,” Pantazopoulos said. “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a good chance.”

Pantazopoulos played four years on the Prospect High School varsity as a striker, then chose to skip college to begin a pro career in Cyprus, playing for a second division team. He then moved to the Greek third division, eventually moving to midfield.

“To be that young and see how the pro life is, the older players, the more experienced players, to be a part of that, overall it was a good experience and I learned a lot,” he said.

He returned to Mount Prospect in May and found out about the Fire’s open tryout online. With the Fire he’s playing a lot of center back.

“I just keep training hard, working hard, learning, day by day,” Pantazopoulos said.

His plan is simple. Literally.

“Nothing too fancy, no crazy stuff, just play the ball,” Pantazopoulos said. “Play simple. That’s about it. I just keep the ball moving.”

“It’s one week, and he’s done pretty well,” Klopas said. “We have ’til the end of the week to continue to evaluate him. We’re going have a scrimmage here on Friday, we’ll take a better look. Obviously, he’s competing for one of the developmental spots (for players younger than 25).”

If it doesn’t work out, if he isn’t one of the Fire’s final 30 players, well, “I haven’t even looked at that. I don’t have a backup plan,” Pantazopoulos said.

But if he does make the team, if he’s still wearing the Fire badge for the team’s home opener March 26 against Sporting Kansas City.

“Oh, I’d be amazed. It’d be a dream come true,” Pantazopoulos said. “Every Chicago kid’s wish. But like I said, overall, I’m just really, really excited to train with the Fire. I’m just amazed. It’s a great group of guys, and the staff, everyone has been teaching me day by day.”

Leaving town:

The Fire announced Wednesday it has terminated the contract of defender Deris Umanzor by mutual agreement. Umanzor, acquired last off-season, played in 10 matches for the Fire in 2010, primarily at left back.

Make your plans:

Major League Soccer plans to announce the full 2011 schedule Thursday.