Omer Hadzic

USLA Technical Director

I have been with Chicago City SC since inception while also coaching at De Paul College Prep previously. Before getting involved in youth soccer in Chicago I played an integral part in the success of RWB Adria here in Chicago before co-founding and Head Coaching with BH Lillies SC, who were an amateur team playing in Chicago Nations Soccer League from 1996-2007. Before moving to Chicago I was lucky to have played professionally in Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I have lived in Chicago with my family for the past 27 years. I moved here from Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war in ex-Yugoslavia. My wife and I have three children. Our oldest daughter graduated from the University of Chicago and completed law school at The George Washington Law School in Washington, DC. Recently, works in New York. Our younger daughter attended Loyola University and she earned a master's degree in Graphic Design at UIC. And our son graduated from Columbia University in New York, and works as a data scientist. My younger daughter and son both played soccer with Chicago Lakefront and Chicago City SC.

In my free time I like to spend time with my family and play chess.

My coaching philosophy is rooted in developing players with a strong foundation upon which further skills can be built. I believe that, especially early in a player’s age, it is vital to establish proper technical skills, ball control, accurate passing and receiving, shooting and dribbling. Technical skills and strong, quick decision making are, for me, the base of a player's overall ability and this concept is visible in my practice activities and coaching methods. As a youth soccer coach, I help my players develop a passion for the game by providing them with the tools they need to play the game successfully, in a positive and safe environment. As it is important to develop good technical skills I consider that building the character of the player is important too. I teach my players through my words and actions the values of respect, resilience, empathy, teamwork and sportsmanship that will benefit them long after their youth soccer days are over.