House wins 1st match in club history
House staff report
MATTHEWS, NC -- Chicago House AC took home its first-ever National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) win against Stumptown AC in Matthews, NC, August 14.
The game was scoreless for a full 89 minutes before House forward Wojiech Wojcik received a centering pass from forward Derek Huffman and headed home the game-winning goal past goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez. The play was set up by a cross-field pass from midfielder Matteo Kidd.
Wojcik explained the club’s game plan going in, and how important it was to capitalize on what they worked on during the week leading up to their first win.
“We knew Stumptown was a team with a possession-based approach to their game. Our plan was to stay organized in our press/defensive shape and find the right moments to capitalize on our opportunities through the run of play/transition,” said the forward. “These are things that we have worked on since preseason and will continue to build on until we get it right. It was going to be a battle, maybe at times a little scrappy. We got the result, and we want to carry that momentum into this weekend’s home-opener.”
Thanks to his team’s efforts in carrying out his game plan and timely subs, CJ Brown recorded his first-ever win as head coach. He is also the technical director for the club.
“I don’t look at things as ‘me’ - I look at everything as a club," Brown said. "I’m super proud of what the club has accomplished up until this point, from the front office to especially all the hard work the players have put in. It wasn’t our prettiest soccer, but to go one the road and get a win in our second NISA game, that is something to be proud of as a team.”
Coach Brown credited the House's first NISA win to individual defending and gave special credit to his goalkeeper and defensive group.
House Goalkeeper Mike Novotny played a big part in the win.
“It’s a good feeling to get our first league win and a clean-sheet,” said Chicago’s starting goalkeeper. “The guys grinded and worked for 90 minutes to get this result and (I) couldn't be more proud of them. The first of many!”
Chicago’s defense played a solid match in front of Novotny. House defender and Chicago-native David Abidor made his season debut Saturday night after battling a lower-body injury for the majority of the preseason and Chicago’s first match against Detroit City last week. He and his teammate’s efforts did not go unnoticed by Chicago’s backstop.
“Our defense was very hungry and determined to keep that shutout all night long, added Novotny. “Players were putting their bodies on the line to block shots and crosses. As a goalkeeper, there is not a more beautiful sight to see than having defenders that are willing to do that.”
The match included another “first.” During Saturday’s match, Joliet, Ill., product Damon Almazan made his professional soccer debut in the 72nd minute of the match. Almazan signed with the club on June 4. On June 9, the House announced that the club would be making a training compensation solidarity payment to Almazan’s former club, Steel City FC. This solidarity payment, the first of its kind in American soccer, provided compensation for the signing of the midfielder to the House’s inaugural roster. It was intended to aid in the development of Steel City FC and create a relationship between the clubs in hopes of future player signings.
“It honestly feels amazing to have made my debut; it definitely boosted my confidence,” says Almazan, who is 19 years old. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of our fans for our home opener! All of their support has been everything to us.”
Although not a part of the starting 11 Saturday, Almazan was ready to make the most of his opportunity.
“We knew [Stumptown] possessed the ball a lot and tried to find the middle, so we tried to force them wide and close off the middle while we pressed,” he said. “When we were attacking, we focused on trying to play our game and moving the ball trying to find 'Woj' up-top and the wingers in behind.”
Chicago House AC will play its inaugural home match at 7:35 o.m. Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
“I’m just very excited to get out in fron of our fans at SeatGeek,” Novotny said. “It's the start of something special here for the city of Chicago.”
Saturday's match at SeatGeek Stadium will be a true homecoming for Wojcik.
"There are not very many firsts, but this home-opener is going to be very memorable for the city of Chicago, the club and myself," he said. "It is the first time I will be playing in front of my friends and family in my hometown representing Chicago. We are building something special with Chicago House, and we can’t wait to share this experience with our community."
Fans can purchase tickets to the match by visiting www.chicagohouseac.com/tickets or by calling the club’s Ticket Sales Team at (312) 444-0976. For team updates and information, please follow the team's social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @ChicagoHouse_AC for live updates and fan reactions.
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Chicago House AC: Wojcik (90’)
House staff report
MATTHEWS, NC -- Chicago House AC took home its first-ever National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) win against Stumptown AC in Matthews, NC, August 14.
The game was scoreless for a full 89 minutes before House forward Wojiech Wojcik received a centering pass from forward Derek Huffman and headed home the game-winning goal past goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez. The play was set up by a cross-field pass from midfielder Matteo Kidd.
Wojcik explained the club’s game plan going in, and how important it was to capitalize on what they worked on during the week leading up to their first win.
“We knew Stumptown was a team with a possession-based approach to their game. Our plan was to stay organized in our press/defensive shape and find the right moments to capitalize on our opportunities through the run of play/transition,” said the forward. “These are things that we have worked on since preseason and will continue to build on until we get it right. It was going to be a battle, maybe at times a little scrappy. We got the result, and we want to carry that momentum into this weekend’s home-opener.”
Thanks to his team’s efforts in carrying out his game plan and timely subs, CJ Brown recorded his first-ever win as head coach. He is also the technical director for the club.
“I don’t look at things as ‘me’ - I look at everything as a club," Brown said. "I’m super proud of what the club has accomplished up until this point, from the front office to especially all the hard work the players have put in. It wasn’t our prettiest soccer, but to go one the road and get a win in our second NISA game, that is something to be proud of as a team.”
Coach Brown credited the House's first NISA win to individual defending and gave special credit to his goalkeeper and defensive group.
House Goalkeeper Mike Novotny played a big part in the win.
“It’s a good feeling to get our first league win and a clean-sheet,” said Chicago’s starting goalkeeper. “The guys grinded and worked for 90 minutes to get this result and (I) couldn't be more proud of them. The first of many!”
Chicago’s defense played a solid match in front of Novotny. House defender and Chicago-native David Abidor made his season debut Saturday night after battling a lower-body injury for the majority of the preseason and Chicago’s first match against Detroit City last week. He and his teammate’s efforts did not go unnoticed by Chicago’s backstop.
“Our defense was very hungry and determined to keep that shutout all night long, added Novotny. “Players were putting their bodies on the line to block shots and crosses. As a goalkeeper, there is not a more beautiful sight to see than having defenders that are willing to do that.”
The match included another “first.” During Saturday’s match, Joliet, Ill., product Damon Almazan made his professional soccer debut in the 72nd minute of the match. Almazan signed with the club on June 4. On June 9, the House announced that the club would be making a training compensation solidarity payment to Almazan’s former club, Steel City FC. This solidarity payment, the first of its kind in American soccer, provided compensation for the signing of the midfielder to the House’s inaugural roster. It was intended to aid in the development of Steel City FC and create a relationship between the clubs in hopes of future player signings.
“It honestly feels amazing to have made my debut; it definitely boosted my confidence,” says Almazan, who is 19 years old. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of our fans for our home opener! All of their support has been everything to us.”
Although not a part of the starting 11 Saturday, Almazan was ready to make the most of his opportunity.
“We knew [Stumptown] possessed the ball a lot and tried to find the middle, so we tried to force them wide and close off the middle while we pressed,” he said. “When we were attacking, we focused on trying to play our game and moving the ball trying to find 'Woj' up-top and the wingers in behind.”
Chicago House AC will play its inaugural home match at 7:35 o.m. Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
“I’m just very excited to get out in fron of our fans at SeatGeek,” Novotny said. “It's the start of something special here for the city of Chicago.”
Saturday's match at SeatGeek Stadium will be a true homecoming for Wojcik.
"There are not very many firsts, but this home-opener is going to be very memorable for the city of Chicago, the club and myself," he said. "It is the first time I will be playing in front of my friends and family in my hometown representing Chicago. We are building something special with Chicago House, and we can’t wait to share this experience with our community."
Fans can purchase tickets to the match by visiting www.chicagohouseac.com/tickets or by calling the club’s Ticket Sales Team at (312) 444-0976. For team updates and information, please follow the team's social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @ChicagoHouse_AC for live updates and fan reactions.
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Chicago House AC: Wojcik (90’)