About Panathinaikos Chicago | Παναθηναϊκός Σικαγο

Club History

2019: Panathinaikos Chicago was founded by father and son, Dimitrios and Dionissios Chronopoulos, both passionate supporters of the legendary Greek football club Panathinaikos. Their mission was to create a youth academy for the Chicago community. Within the first year, the academy expanded from one participant to 30 children, inspiring the creation of a full football club with a pyramid structure that develops players from youth to adult levels.

2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Panathinaikos Chicago successfully applied to the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of U.S. soccer. Under the leadership of 25-year-old player-owner Dionissios Chronopoulos, the club began building a competitive first team.

National Recognition: Panathinaikos Chicago is listed on Transfermarkt.com, the world’s leading professional soccer scouting database. The club has been featured in major media outlets, including the Sun-Times, Goal.com, and live broadcasts on Novasports.gr.

Notable Affiliations: The club has attracted support from notable figures such as Djibril Cissé, Giorgos Karagounis, and Krzysztof Warzycha, strengthening its connection to the Panathinaikos legacy.

Team Performance:

• 2021: Competed in the NPSL Summer League, finishing with a 3-7 record.

• 2022: Continued in the NPSL Summer League, achieving a 1-1-8 record.

• 2023: Transitioned to the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL):

• Summer League: Achieved a 4-1-5 record.

• Fall League: Finished with a 7-1-2 record, advancing to the conference finals and ranking among the top 32 clubs nationally.

• 2024: Concluded participation in the UPSL:

• Summer League: Recorded a 4-1-5 season.

• Fall League: Achieved a 5-2-2 record.

2024-2025: In a major step forward, Panathinaikos Chicago left the UPSL to join Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) and Women’s Major League Indoor Soccer (WMLIS). This move marks a new chapter in the club’s history, bringing professional indoor soccer to Panathinaikos Chicago and expanding the club’s impact across North America.

Panathinaikos Chicago continues to uphold the proud traditions of Panathinaikos FC, fostering player development and striving for excellence in every aspect of the game.