“This is our new friend, George. Please say hi to everyone. Oh baby!” It was the Chicago Fire’s take on social media for 19-year-old ace Giorgos Kutsias, who left the Greek League and PAOK at a very young age to pursue the American dream in MLS. The talented forward signed with Team USA until the summer of 2026, with the possibility of extending the partnership for another year.A very high-level deal (3 million euros for PAOK, 2.3 million for the players) justifies the “two-headed man from the North” for his insistence on promoting footballers from his academy.

This is our new friend, Georgios.

Say hello to everyone 👋 pic.twitter.com/tdRrJGGCUX

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) February 28, 2023

But what is the outlook for the player? Of course, the expression “football in America” ​​has long ceased to cause ironic ridicule. By no means can it be argued that Chicago Fire Soccer has achieved popularity in the big city of Chicago, the Bulls and basketball. But over the years it has become a stable force in MLS, which in turn competes with Europe’s top leagues in investment (just a few days ago, the Antetokounmpo brothers bought Nashville shares), sponsors and players.

The big star of the team, which took its name from the great fire in Chicago in 1871 and won a championship and four cups for 26 years, is the Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri. The 31-year-old midfielder signed a three-year deal worth 17 million euros last year and is in the team’s “top 10”.

Let’s take it. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UjCaZXwJwU

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 5, 2023

Nevertheless, for decades, the name of Frank Klopas has been revered in Chicago football like no other. Born in Prosimni in Argolis, an emigrant-as-veteran whose sporting destiny has always traveled between Greece and the USA. Four championships (1989, 1992, 1993, 1994), one super bowl (1989) and one league cup (1990) with AEK, 4th with Apollo in 1995 and 1996 cup finalist with the Light Brigade. Participation in the World Cup (1994, USA) and the Olympics (1988, Seoul) as part of the US team, where he spent a total of 39 matches and 12 goals, a double with the Chicago Fires in 1998 and several more awards in all categories. American football. It’s like a football player.

Because from there he launched an enviable coaching career, first with the Chicago Fire, then with the Chicago Storm, an futsal team that played in Major League Soccer (MISL) and in Canada with the Montreal Impact. His stay at the Chicago Fire was not limited to being a player and coach. He was named head coach, analyst, technical director, club ambassador, televangelist and assistant coach, a position he has held ever since.

We reached out to the 56-year-old Greek American shortly before his team made their league debut, hailing New York City, with whom they drew 1-1.

“We are in good shape, the team has quality and I believe we will do better this year than last year when we spent a lot of money but couldn’t make the playoffs,” he told us and link for a transfer. Giorgos Kutsias was inevitable.

“We have been watching George since we were 17 years old. To be honest, not me, but the sports director of the team, George Heights. After that I also talked to my friends in Greece, I got to know everything about the player and that’s how it went. We saw him develop and thought he would be the perfect replacement for 19-year-old Colombian John Duran, whom we sold to Aston Villa two months ago. After all, that is why we signed a multi-year contract with him. We believe he can get better.”

Yes, and we continue to be interested, as well as, of course, with players from all over the world. But I don’t want to name specific names. The fact is that in Greece there are very talented football players, and quality ones, and I wonder why they do not give them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. It’s a pity that most of the Greek teams are filled with foreign players and talents either want to go abroad or languish on the bench. I think that the Greek federation, in cooperation with the state, should set a limit on the participation of foreigners in the championship.

– Taxiarchis Fontas and Giorgos Giakumakis still compete in MLS. How are they doing?

– And not only that… There are also three children of Greek origin, born in Canada. Elias Iliadis, Themis Antonoglu and James Panthemis. Taxiarchis did well last year with DC United, scoring 12 goals and becoming his team’s MVP. I’m surprised this player doesn’t have a place in a big Greek club. Now, unfortunately, he is injured and will miss a month. Giorgos, with his move to Atlanta from Celtic, is considered one of the biggest names to come into the league this year. I think that despite the fact that the two countries are separated by a very long distance, the Greek football player will be able to adapt to the United States relatively quickly. The mentality of the country suits him.

– Undoubtedly, a lot of money has fallen, the stadiums are filling up, and the players who have come have raised the level. I don’t know if it’s in the top 5, but it’s definitely a league with 29 teams, very competitive with little difference. And all because, unlike the European Championships, where every season three or four teams claim the title, here all the clubs are more or less equal. We are talking about a very balanced league, which, unlike, for example, the Greek one, where there are no empty seats and is regularly more organized, is a transitional one. That’s why I think players like Kutsias, who is a classic nine but also uses empty spaces, can make a difference.

-Alas. I have two years to come to Greece, but I keep in touch with my friends and old teammates. AEK also asked my opinion about Almeida before starting to work together. I told them to take it with their eyes closed. He is a huge personality. He will change the whole mentality of the team, and he is best suited to build a great team from scratch, which he was. He is one of the best coaches to come through MLS. He spent four years with the Earthquakes and reformed the club. I really look forward to when I come and see the new stadium. I hope to be able to come soon and this will be combined with AEK’s victory over the title.