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The team

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Aleks Mihailovic

Founder & CEO

During his illustrious coaching career, Aleks Mihailovic has made significant contributions to the game at all levels in the United States. His game management skills and ability to translate tactical and technical concepts to his players are very impressive. One of his strongest qualities is the ability to evaluate and focus on individual strengths and improve players' performance and the tactical ability for higher playing levels.

 

Aleks has served U.S. Soccer as the National Coaching Director for the adult level and has licensed over 1000 coaches both youth and adults throughout the United States. Additionally, he has served Bora Milutinovic as a consultant for the Costa Rican National Team, U.S. National, and World Cup Teams. 

 

Domestically, Aleks has strong ties with MLS, US Soccer, and top collegiate-level programs. Internationally, Aleks has strong relationships within professional soccer reaching Europe, South America, Central America, and South America. Additionally, Aleks’ extensive interpersonal network extends to professional programs and clubs in England, Germany, Greece, Spain, Chile, and Mexico.

 

Aleks has helped many players reach collegiate and professional levels, however, his passion is providing life-lasting experiences for those who never would have had the opportunity.

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  •  President and Founder of, Soccer Made in America training program

  •  Founder, SAFE (Soccer Arts for Education)

  •  Founder, SMIA (Soccer Made in America)

  •  Hall of Fame Inductee, United States Adult Soccer Association

  •  National Director of Coaching, United States Adult Soccer Association

  •  United States Adult Soccer Association Men’s National Select Team Coach

  •  United States Soccer Federation “A” License Coach

  •  Illinois State Soccer Association Director of Coaching Education

  •  International High-Level Coaching License holder

  •  Former professional player, Washington Diplomats, Jacksonville Tea Men, North American Soccer League

  • NCAA Division I All American

  •  East-West Senior Bowl Selection

  •  Two-time All-American Division I, and Hall of Fame Inductee

  •  Author of the 1994 World Cup US Soccer M&M Mars USYSA Coaching Manual

  •  Illinois State Soccer Association Hall of Fame Inductee 2009

  •  All-time leading scorer at Jacksonville University

Milos Mamula

 Director of the Girls’ Division &  Player Development

Coach Milos has been involved with the Chicago Blast since 2003.  He serves as Director of Player Development and oversees the girls’ soccer division. He is a graduate of Jacksonville University where he played soccer for the Dolphins. After, Mios went on to play for the Jacksonville Cyclones,  where he was named to the Sunbelt All-Conference team. He is a nationally licensed coach for the adult and youth levels.

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  • Former Division 1 Player, Jacksonville University

  • Former professional player, Jacksonville Cyclones

  • Licensed U.S. Amateur Coach – adult and youth

  • U.S. Soccer D- license 

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Todd Burrows

Todd graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.S. in Human Health Development. Todd’s knowledge and passion for soccer help him train his players to reach their maximum potential.

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  • B.S. Human Health Development 

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer

  • US Soccer Federation Coach

  • Certified F.I.G.H.T. Instructor

  • John Clarke Combat Wrestling Instructor System Certification

  • Haganah 1st Degree Black Belt

  • Certified Speed and Agility Trainer

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Dr. Brian Forsythe

Dr. Forsythe is a former Division I collegiate (Brown University) soccer player with a high tactical understanding of the game. He is also a team physician for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and Head Orthopedic Officer for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. He is a partner and surgeon specializing in sports injuries at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR). MOR is the official medical provider for the Chicago Blast Soccer Club. As a lifelong soccer player, Dr. Forsythe brings tremendous value to the club and is an experienced sports medicine specialist.

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  •  Former D1 college soccer player, at Brown University 

  •  Official medical provider for Chicago Blast Soccer Club

  • Board-certified orthopedic surgeon 

Team Physician 

Andrius Espinoza

Andrius Espinoza has been a member of the Chicago Blast family since 2011. Starting with the U12 group, he rose to the club’s academy participating in tournaments in the Chicagoland area, the Disney Boys Soccer Showcase, Lou Fusz Midwest Spring Invitational, as well as representing the club internationally in Novi Sad, Serbia. In 2014 and 2016 Andrius featured in the Cruzeiro Esporte Clube Exchange where he trained and played under the tutelage of one of Brazil’s greatest academies, Cruzeiro, at their Toca da Raposa 1 campus. From 2016 through 2017 Andrius was at the Chicago Sockers Academy. In 2017 he completed the Benfica Elite Training Camp where trained and played at their Benfica Campus in Seixal, Portugal. After graduating the University of Miami in 2023, he began his coaching career in South Florida where he earned his USSF D License and is a C License candidate for this fall.

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  • Former Chicago Blast Player

  • Cruzeiro Exchange Program Player

  • Benfica Elite Campus Alumnus

  • USSF D License

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