UIC soccer gets taste of pro life

Dressed in Chicago Fire red, three former UIC soccer phenoms returned to Flames Field last Tuesday for the third annual charity friendly pitting UIC against its pro counterparts. For the first time, UIC alums completed the Fire's roster and stamped out the burgeoning UIC men's soccer team 3-0 on the chilly pre-season night.

Baggio Husidic, a First Team All-American for UIC in 2008, garnered plenty of cheers as he took the field against his former team for the entire 90 minutes. He was joined in the second half by 2007 Horizon League Championship MVP Cesar Zambrano and former backline veteran Pat McMahon who entered as substitutions.

Zambrano, a 2008 Colorado Rapids draft pick, and McMahon, who started every game UIC has played over the past four years, have recently been practicing with the MLS side in hopes of sparking a professional opportunity.

"It was unbelievable to see three UIC guys in Fire jerseys," said UIC head coach John Trask. "I think all three of those guys would tell you one of the reasons that they've hopefully been able to assimilate to that level is because of this game. They've been given the opportunity to see the speed of play, how quick Justin Mapp is, and how hard someone tackles from the Fire."

The 20th overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft for the Fire, Husidic's homecoming was a show of the emerging men's soccer program at UIC, and he spoke of the focus of professional level play.

"It was kind of weird, three guys from UIC playing for the same team. It felt like home a little bit," said Husidic. "In college you see top level players. In the pros every single guy is

at the top level. Practices, training, the whole mentality is all different. It's your job, your life is just to play."

"You go to college 4 to 5 years and there are a lot of disturbances, homework, school, partying that sort of stuff. Here it's just soccer and that's it," said Husidic.

But Husidic and the Fire's starters didn't back down out of the gates with the unique stylings of Mexican National team legend Cuauhtémoc Blanco and speedy mid Justin Mapp pounding the Flames' backline.

"Anytime you get to watch Blanco play it's a wonderful thing. There have not been many players in the history of MLS that have played with the passion and creativity and the things that he does, it's great to watch," said Coach Trask.

The Fire eventually found holes in the Flames' hard-fought defense due in part to a younger UIC backline and a sidelined Jovan Bubonja whose broken clavicle kept the first-team All-American keeper from the pitch. UIC's starting goalkeeper, Taylor Kelliher, did have his best showing to date, however.

The Fire's Austin Washington tallied the opening mark in the first half, and Dasan Robinson and Stefan Dimitrov ran up the tab in the second half against the Flames.

A cross-goal shot by red-shirt freshman Moriba Diallo in the 75th minute looked destined to put up a mark for UIC but was stopped short by the Fire's Andrew Dykstra. The fierce springtime wind and superior Fire defense once again held the Flames scoreless.

The friendly gave plenty of playing time to some fresh faces, though. Freshman mid Bart Boguszewski, red-shirt freshmen Alex Loncar and Joey Domenico all got a taste of the speed and intensity of professional play. Boguszewski stood out among the many younger UIC players, due to his solid play on UIC's backline.

"We tried to reward some of the guys. There were a few guys who didn't get in last year that we definitely wanted to get in," said Trask.

The third annual benefit raised over $5,000 for the Chicago Fire Foundation and once again saw great fan support despite the low temperatures.

"It's really turning into a yearly event. I think the Fire and us, we actually look forward to it because we know it's going to a good cause. Sometimes that's more important than the actual quality of the game," explained Trask. "I want to thank [Fire technical director] Frank [Klopas], [Fire head coach] Dennis [Hamlett], [Fire director of community relations] Jessica [Yavitz], the whole Fire organization. Obviously Section 8 had a great turn-out again and hopefully it's something we can continue in the future."

The Flames pick up the season in August when they will hopefully be re-joined by star keeper Javon Bubonja and a rejuvenated backline.

"When we start adding our injured boys and the other guys back, as well as what we've got coming in next year, I think it sets up to be a very exciting season," said Trask.