The team

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.

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.

Former Division 1 Player, Jacksonville University
Former professional player, Jacksonville Cyclones
Licensed U.S. Amateur Coach – adult and youth
U.S. Soccer D- license

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.

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

Surya Chionesu

As a former Chicago Blast Soccer player, Coach Suni has a passion for athletics and a competitive edge. Born deaf and as a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, she quickly developed a unique perspective that informs her coaching approach, focusing on resilience, communication, and teamwork. Her journey from Chicago to San Diego and back to Chicago has shaped her commitment to growth in both her nursing and coaching careers. Coach Suni's goal is to evolve within Blast Soccer Club and bring my nursing knowledge into the world of coaching.

Holds her high school 200m record and is a 3-time state track and field finalist
Represented the USA as a deaf track and field athlete

Coach Suni is currently preparing for tryouts with the USA Women’s Deaf Soccer Team, where she aims to bring hher competitive experience and leadership to the national stage. Academically, Coach Suni is pursuing a BSN in Nursing with the intention of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

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.

Former Chicago Blast Player
Cruzeiro Exchange Program Player
Benfica Elite Campus Alumnus
USSF D License