Almir Hot - Director of Soccer Operations, ahot@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience – I played for OFK (Belgrade), Sindjelic (Serbia), TUS Koblenz & 1FC Koln (Germany), Lindenwood University, St. Xavier University and Chicago Storm. 

Coaching Experience – I have coached for many local clubs including Park Ridge Soccer Club, Inferno FC, Eleven United, Team Evanston, and Chicago Fire Juniors North Shore. I am excited to be back with Park Ridge Soccer Club! 

Licenses / Coaching Education –

National C license, Chicago IL, August 2017

Director of Coaching Diploma, Chicago IL, January 2019

National C license, Chicago IL, C license Soccer Coaching

National D license, Chicago IL, D license Soccer Coaching

Illinois Youth Soccer, Chicago IL, E license Soccer Coaching

• Personal Bio – I live in Park Ridge with my wife and three children.  My love of the game is what prompted me to coach and develop players. Soccer has given me a lot and I wanted to pass on my knowledge and love of the game to the kids! When I am not on the soccer pitch, I am spending time with my family and friends. I would like to attend a World Cup match one day! 

 

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FARUK DZAMBEGOVIC, fdzambegovic@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: Oakton Community College, u17 Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team, Semi-pro: Lilies, Eagles, SC Hammers, Berber Stars 

Coaching Experience: 

• PRSC Staff Coach (August 2020-present)
• Team Evanston Staff Coach 
• Chicago Fire Juniors Staff Coach 
• Chicago Pandas Staff Coach 

Coaching Philosophy: I believe in creating a safe and positive environment where all players are able to feel comfortable and enjoy the beautiful game. 

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License 

UEFA B National License 

Bachelors in Physical Education and Health 

Personal Bio: I was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to the United States at the age of two. My two favorite soccer players are Edin Dzeko and Lionel Messi. I enjoy watching soccer and spending time with my family on my time off.  

 

Tod Privett, tprivett@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience – I am still playing.  I was awarded soccer/baseball scholarships as an athlete at Eastern Illinois University.

Coaching Experience – I have been with PRSC since 2010.  I began my coaching career with my first team in 1993.  After a long break, I started coaching again for Team Elmhurst in 2006. I am currently the Varsity Head Coach at Immaculate Conception High School, and I am a former Notre Dame College Prep Varsity Assistant Coach.

Licenses / Coaching Education – USSF National "D" License, NSCAA Regional Diploma

Personal Bio – I was introduced to the game as a 9 year old while living in California and have loved it ever since.  I have lived in the suburbs of Chicago since I was 13.  I currently reside in Elmhurst with my wife Mary and our twins, Cassidy and Jake.  My favorite team is Men's Celtic from Palatine, and my second favorite team is Manchester United.

 

Peter Ilic, pilic@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience – I played soccer professionally for 12 years - 6 years in Europe, then 6 years in the USA & Canada. 

• 1982-1986: Croatia & Slovenia
• 1986-1988: Germany
• 1988-1994: New York, Memphis, Harrisburg & Toronto

Coaching Experience – I started my coaching career coaching with the Columbus Blast Youth Academy for 4 years, then moved to the Chicagoland area in 2000.  After working in different clubs across the US and Europe,  I started at PRSC in 2014, where I find the most enjoyment in the club and staff. As part of the Croatian Soccer Federation, I also attend coaching seminars and conventions where I am a demonstrator.

Licenses / Coaching Education – UEFA "A" License and USSF National "B" License.

 

Michael Byron, mbyron@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: 

·     Semi-pro with Unia Chicago: 2019- present

·     Concordia University Chicago: 2021-2023

·     North Central College: 2019-2021

Coaching Experience:
PRSC Staff Coach (August 2021-present)

Coaching Philosophy: I believe every player has the right idea but can sometimes lack the technique to perform said action which is why I focus on having my players be fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game. Once when my players are able to master the basics, the sky is only the limit for them. 

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License 

National D License

Personal Bio: I was born and raised in Park Ridge. I’m proud to be a product of this club where I played here from the time I was in third grade to my senior year in high school. I have a passion for coaching soccer and helping the next generation of soccer players. 

 

Philip Mierzwa, prmierzwa@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: Depauw University

Coaching Experience:
PRSC Staff Coach (August 2021- present)

Coaching Philosophy: Every player offers a unique set of skills on the field that helps benefit the team as a whole. I enjoy teaching a faster style of play which involves quick passing, attacking, and moving off the ball. I like preparing my players for game-like scenarios by focusing on basic and specific technical skills in order to build and develop their understanding of Soccer.

Licenses / Coaching Education:
IYSA Grassroots License

Personal Bio: I started my journey as a player with PRSC. Since then, I have been able to perform at State cups, National tournaments, High School Conference playoffs, and College soccer games. One of my favorite memories was being able to play with my older brother on Park Ridge Premier SC, even though he was two years older. I support Manchester City F.C. and have worn Nike Mercurials for my entire soccer career.

 

MILOS STOJILJKOVIC, mstojiljkovic@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: Played for clubs from Serbia at the semi-pro and pro level: Radnicki, OFK Nis, Sindjelic. Still playing at the recreational level with my friends. 

Coaching Experience:  I have coached all the ages from U8-U18 age groups at:

• Team Evanston (2011-2023)
• Chicago Fire Juniors Northshore (2017-2021)
• Eleven United (2015-2017)
• Chicago Fire North (2008-2010)
• Chicago Wind (2006-2008)
• Numerous camps at Northwestern, Barca academy and ESA
   

Licenses / Coaching Education:
USSF National “B” License
USSF National “C” License
USSF National “D” License
USSF National “E” License
 

Personal Bio: I began playing in elementary school, and since then I continued to engage with the game as both a player and as a coach. Love spending free time with my family and friends. Beside soccer(and pretty much all the team sports) I enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, skiing, hiking and traveling. 

 

 

Nicole Skelnik, nskelnik@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: 

IWSL Travel - 1999-2023
ECC scholarshiped player - 1997 & 1998 - conference champs
ISU Club - 1995
IWSL Travel -1991-1996 - Hoffman Estates Destroyers and Hoffman Estates Synergy. 

Coaching Experience: 

PRSC Staff Coach - 2024-Present; 2006-2017
I also have had the honor to spend time coaching my daughter and son in AYSO.

Licenses / Coaching Education:USSF B License
USSF C License 
USSF D License 
USSF E License 
AYSO certification

Personal Bio: 

Owner of Clinical Pharmacy Consulting Corporation
Doctor of Pharmacy - Midwestern University
Bachelor of Science - Loyola University of Chicago

Soccer philosophy: When skill, execution, and understanding come together, then the game is beautiful.  I look to develop skilled players that can analyze the game, think for themselves and are the best versions of themselves both on and off the field. That is the real goal.

Adrian Glodz, aglodz@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience: 

2 year starter for Marquette University Men's Club Soccer team. I currently play for Unia Chicago in the PSL.

Coaching Experience: 

PRSC Staff Coach (2024- present)

Bartlett Hawks Soccer Club (2 years)

Licenses / Coaching Education:

IYSA Grassroots license

Personal Bio:  I have been playing soccer since I was 9 years old. I have a strong passion for the game and hope to pass on my knowledge to the next generation. My favorite club is Manchester United. Outside of soccer I enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, especially hiking, biking, and spending time with my family.

Jorge L. Bustamante, jbustamante@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience:
Grammar school and high school soccer - Ecuador, South America
College soccer - United States
Competitive adult leagues throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs

Coaching Experience:
PRSC U11 Blue Girls
Park Ridge soccer - 1996-Present
More than 30 years of youth coaching experience
High school boys and girls coaching experience

Licenses / Coaching Education:
State of Illinois E License
National D License
United States Youth Soccer National Certificate

Personal Bio:
Jorge has been part of Park Ridge soccer since 1996 and brings more than 30 years of experience coaching youth players. His background also includes coaching at the high school level and playing soccer in Ecuador, at the collegiate level in the United States, and in competitive adult leagues throughout the Chicago area.

Soccer Philosophy:
Strong technical skills and a creative mindset build confident, intelligent players. Jorge focuses on helping players develop the technical foundation, creativity, and understanding needed to make good decisions and express themselves on the field.

Bruno Pereira, bpereira@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience:
Competitive playing experience in Brazil and the United States

Coaching Experience:
PRSC 2013 Boys
PRSC U7 Girls
PRSC U9 Girls
Coaching experience since 2009 in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
Chicago Fire
Lake View High School Varsity Head Coach

Licenses / Coaching Education:
CBF Academy Brazil B License
USSF C License

Personal Bio:
Bruno has coached since 2009 across multiple states and brings experience from both the club and high school levels. His background includes coaching with Chicago Fire and serving as the Lake View High School varsity head coach.

Soccer Philosophy:
Bruno focuses on teaching the game through competition, sportsmanship, technical skill development, and teamwork. He blends influences from Brazilian and American soccer culture to help players develop confidence, creativity, and a love of the game—joga bonito.

Lupe Garcia, lgarcia@prsoccer.com

Playing Experience:
Competitive amateur soccer leagues

Coaching Experience:
PRSC Staff Coach - 2026-Present
Eight years of youth soccer coaching experience
Certified soccer referee for four years

Licenses / Coaching Education:
USSF C License - 2026

Personal Bio:
Coach Lupe Garcia is entering his first season with PRSC and brings eight years of youth soccer coaching experience. His experience as both a competitive player and certified referee gives him a well-rounded perspective on the game.

Soccer Philosophy:
Lupe believes long-term player development is more important than short-term results. He focuses on technical growth, confidence, teamwork, and creating a positive but challenging environment where players enjoy the game and continue developing both on and off the field.

Steven Kataba, skataba@prsoccer.com

Coaching Experience:
PRSC U8 Boys Coach
Two years of coaching experience
Additional experience coaching younger age groups through soccer classes

Licenses / Coaching Education:
USSF E License

Personal Bio:
Steven coaches U8 boys with PRSC and has extensive experience working with younger players through soccer classes.

Soccer Philosophy:
Steven focuses on helping players build a strong understanding of the game through technical development and age-appropriate tactical concepts. His training emphasizes footwork and dribbling fundamentals while introducing themes such as defending, building out of the back, and possession.

Miha Vlaskovic

Playing Experience:

• Youth soccer in Serbia
• OFK Belgrade Soccer Academy – Belgrade, Serbia
• North Park University

Coaching Experience:

• PRSC Staff Coach – 2025-Present
• PRSC Travel Coordinator for U7-U11 age groups
• 2026-27: U9 Boys Orange, U9 Girls Orange and U14 Girls Black

Licenses / Coaching Education:

• USSF C License

Personal Bio:
Coach Mihajlo “Miha” Vlaskovic was born and raised in Serbia, where he began playing soccer at a young age before joining the OFK Belgrade Soccer Academy. He moved to the United States during high school and later played at North Park University before an injury ended his playing career.

Soccer has remained an important part of Miha’s life, and he is passionate about giving back to the game by sharing his experience with the next generation of players. Outside of soccer, Miha works as an educator at Niles North High School, supporting students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

Soccer Philosophy:
Miha believes in helping every player reach their individual potential without limiting their creativity. He focuses on developing players who understand the game, think for themselves, and develop their own “why” for playing. His goal is to share his passion and knowledge while helping young athletes build their own lifelong love and appreciation for soccer.

Alen Soso

Playing Experience:

• FC Rad – Belgrade, Serbia
• Professional outdoor, indoor and futsal experience in Europe and the United States
• Serbian Futsal National Team
• Kansas City Comets
• Milwaukee Rampage
• Chicago Fire
• Chicago Mustangs
• More than 30 years of playing experience

Coaching Experience:

• PRSC Staff Coach – 2024-Present
• More than 20 years of coaching experience with players from U8-U18
• Kansas City Comets
• Milwaukee Rampage
• AC Schwaben
• Glenview
• FC Panthers
• United Serbs
• Ela Soccer Club

Licenses / Coaching Education:

• USSF National “B” License
• Illinois Soccer Association Hall of Fame – 2016

Personal Bio:
Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Alen began playing soccer at age six with FC Rad and signed his first professional contract at age 19. His playing career took him throughout Europe and the United States and included outdoor, indoor, and futsal competition. He brings more than three decades of playing experience and more than two decades of coaching experience to PRSC.

Soccer Philosophy:
Alen combines technical development, tactical understanding, discipline, and competitiveness to help players become more complete soccer players. His training emphasizes ball control, passing, dribbling, shooting, 1v1 situations, positioning, attacking principles, small-sided play, and understanding different tactical systems.

Just as importantly, Alen believes in developing the person as well as the player. He emphasizes positive attitude, courage, maturity, discipline, patience, determination, and teamwork while creating a positive but demanding environment where players are challenged to learn from feedback, push beyond their comfort zones, and continuously improve.

 

Niko Voules

Current Teams:

• Boys U10 Orange II
• Girls U10 White

Playing Experience:

• Sockers Top Talent – 2006-2009
• Green White, Metro Major – 2009-2017
• Hellenic, Metro Major – 2017-2019
• Hellenic, GCSL Premier – 2024-2025
• Wisla O30 – 2025-2026

Coaching Experience:

• More than 12 years of coaching experience
• Park Ridge Soccer Club
• Green White
• Experience coaching players ranging from age 3 through college age

Licenses / Coaching Education:

• Illinois Youth Soccer E License – 2014

Personal Bio:
Niko grew up in a soccer family, with his father coaching him throughout his childhood and early teenage years. Playing and coaching soccer have been central parts of his life ever since. Soccer has brought Niko tremendous happiness and opportunities, and he is passionate about sharing those experiences with the next generation.

Soccer Philosophy:
Niko believes soccer can create joy, build confidence, and open doors for young players. He is passionate about both soccer and child development and strives to help players develop their skills while discovering their own love for the game.

Adrian Garces

Playing Experience:

• Playing experience beginning at age six
• Division I collegiate practice player

Coaching Experience:

• PRSC U7-U8 Boys
• Two years of coaching experience
• Experience coaching players from U5 through U11

Licenses / Coaching Education:

• U.S. Soccer Grassroots 11v11 License

Personal Bio:
Adrian has been involved in soccer since he began playing at age six. His playing experience continued through college, where he competed as a Division I practice player. He now brings that lifelong connection to the game to his work developing young players at PRSC.

Soccer Philosophy:
Adrian focuses on developing strong technical fundamentals, building confidence on the ball, and helping players develop a love for the game. He strives to create a positive and competitive environment where young athletes are encouraged to learn, challenge themselves, and grow.

Allen Martinez

Playing Experience:

• Competitive club soccer throughout the Chicagoland area
• High school soccer in the Chicagoland area

Coaching Experience:

• PRSC Staff Coach
• One year of coaching experience

Licenses / Coaching Education:

• Currently pursuing USSF D License

Personal Bio:
Allen brings experience playing for multiple clubs and at the high school level throughout the Chicagoland area. He now brings that playing background to PRSC as he continues developing his coaching experience and education.

Soccer Philosophy:
Allen focuses on player development, confidence, and decision-making. His goal is to help each player deepen their understanding of the game, improve their soccer IQ, and develop the confidence to make effective decisions on the field.