Getting To Know Panathinaikos Chicago

Getting To Know Panathinaikos Chicago

By: Antonios Theodosis

For many of us Panathinaikos fans living in the USA we have spent the majority if not all of our lives supporting the club from overseas. 


Speaking from personal experience, the club has been a huge part of my life since I was a young boy. My dream was always to play for Panathinaikos or perhaps get involved with the team somehow or some way, but the problem was that I was so far away from the team living here in America that it just didn't seem feasible to me as a teenager.

 

Now though, there is a Panathinaikos team based here in the United States, in Chicago specifically. A professional organization that bears our beloved club’s crest and name with a new and unique touch of “Chicago” written on the badge. 


I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the founder and current director of Panathinaikos Chicago, Denny Chronopoulos who graciously provided me with the opportunity to answer some questions I had pertaining to Panathinaikos Chicago in hopes of learning more about the club and spreading awareness of its presence to the Panathinaikos faithful here in America.

 

First of all, who is the president and founder of Panathinaikos Chicago and when was the club created?

Denny Chronopoulos: “I formed a youth academy in 2019 and in June 2020 the men’s team was created. I am the founder & current director of the club and my father is the president.”


What League is Panathinaikos Chicago currently playing in here in the United States?

Denny Chronopoulos:  “We are playing in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League) 19 players from our league got drafted into the MLS this year.”


Is the club eligible for promotion to the MLS?  

Denny Chronopoulos:  “No, Unfortunately the United States soccer Federation does not have a promotion relegation structure. Money plays a big role.”


Does the club currently have a youth academy system in place? Or is this something that is currently in the works?

Denny Chronopoulos: “Panathinaikos Chicago does have youth academies.  We have programs for every age group.”  


Can anybody tryout to join Panathinaikos Chicago?

Denny Chronopoulos: “We do hold tryouts. We will have one more before our season begins. As of this date we have had multiple tryouts. There has been a player chosen from every tryout hosted so far.”

 

Is the club affiliated at all with Panathinaikos in Athens and do the two clubs remain in contact?

Denny Chronopoulos: “Panathinaikos Soccer Schools have been in contact with us since we were created. They have invited us to Official Seminars via Zoom over the COVID period. They know and support our efforts 100% . I want to invite all Panathinaikos fans worldwide to participate in this project. I have made it known I am interested in meeting Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Yianni Alafouzos to take this to the next level (2 Current Panathinaikos Big Powers)”


Does the club look to keep a close bond with its Hellenic roots and try and have some Greek players in the squad?

Denny Chronopoulos: “80% of our youth academy consists of Greek players. That is something that I take pride for in the city of Chicago.  We have some top quality Greek players on our men’s team as well. George Katsaros (37 y.o) captained Greece Ethiniki u20 in euro 2000 and a career in Greece with historic Greek clubs (Panachaiki, Asteras Tripoli, Kalamata, Panargiakos, AE Sparti) Then we have a youth product Arsenis Arseniou who is a Greek-Cypriot and was playing UEFA youth champions league with APOEL U20 2 seasons ago. We are making a strong effort.”  


Are Panathinaikos Chicago’s matches shown on any channels or streaming services that fans can subscribe to?

Denny Chronopoulos: “We are currently waiting on a confirmation from a professional venue. We plan on streaming and making an announcement the next upcoming days.”    



There have been rumors circulating on social media that Panathinaikos Chicago is looking to sign legend Djibril Cisse, do these rumors hold any weight?

Denny Chronopoulos: “It is official. Cisse is coming to Chicago July 20th and retiring green. We cannot wait !!!”


Finally, what social media platforms is Panathinaikos Chicago on?

Panathinaikos’s website is paochicago.com (it is current under construction)

Facebook: Panathinaikos Chicago

Instagram:@paochicago

Twitter:@chicago_pao

 

With all of that said, the creation of this club allows a new generation of children to rise through the ranks of the club’s youth system and help perpetuate a strong bond between the club and its Hellenic roots to the next generation of Greek Americans. 


When I was a young boy this would have been the most exciting news for me to hear as I believe the club here in America can truly work toward developing some talented young players that will be surrounded by great professional influences such as Djibril Cisse and George Katsaros who know what it takes to succeed at a top level.

 

Panathinaikos Chicago will be playing their first professional campaign in the NPSL starting on May eighth where they host Carpathia FC. I urge all Panathinaikos fans to support this newly established club in its infancy as I truly believe that it can be nurtured and grow into something big. Panathinaikos fans are the most passionate bunch I have personally interacted with and met over the years, and those of us that have been longing to get a taste of the club living outside of Greece have finally gotten our answer! 


To keep track of the club’s schedule and scores you can find it at www.npsl.com/schedule under the “Midwest Region - Great Lakes Conference” tab.

 

I extend my gratitude to Denny Chronopoulos who kindly granted me the time to patiently answer all of my questions. 


May this first season be full of success, excitement, and happiness to all of those involved at Panathinaikos Chicago. 


The Panathinaikos faithful will be supporting you!


Hellas Football 


Follow @antoniostheo on Instagram 

 

(Image Borrowed From paochicago.com & Djibril Cisse Twitter)

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