Milodrag Akmadžić Explained

Milodrag Akmadžić
Fullname:Milodrag Akmadžić
Birth Place:SFR Yugoslavia
Years1:1994
Clubs1:Zrinjski Mostar
Years2:1996–1997
Clubs2:Toronto Croatia
Years3:1996–1997
Clubs3:Toronto Shooting Stars (indoor)
Caps3:24
Goals3:7
Years4:2000
Clubs4:Toronto Croatia
Caps4:12
Goals4:0
Years5:2001–2005
Clubs5:Brampton Hitmen/Stallions
Manageryears1:2005
Managerclubs1:Brampton Stallions
Manageryears2:2006
Managerclubs2:Toronto Croatia (assistant)
Manageryears3:2007
Managerclubs3:Toronto Croatia
Manageryears4:2011–2015
Managerclubs4:Toronto Croatia (assistant)
Manageryears5:–2019
Managerclubs5:Mississauga MetroStars (assistant)

Milodrag "Backo" Akmadžić is a Croatian retired footballer and is a former assistant coach with Toronto Croatia of the Canadian Soccer League. Akmadžić played the majority of his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League and had a stint in the National Professional Soccer League. After his retirement from competitive soccer, he went into the field of coaching teams within the CSL.

Playing career

Akmadžić played in the First League of Herzeg-Bosnia in 1994 with Zrinjski Mostar.[1]

He would begin his North American career in 1996 with Toronto Croatia of the Canadian International Soccer League. During the winter season he signed with Toronto Shooting Stars of the National Professional Soccer League. Where he appeared in 24 matches and recorded seven goals and two assists.[2] In 1997, Toronto Croatia entered the Canadian National Soccer League, where he served as team captain.[3] He helped Toronto secure a playoff berth by finishing second in the standings. The following season he retired from competitive soccer.[4] Akmadžić made his return to soccer and resigned with Toronto Croatia in 2000. His first match back was on May 31, 2000 in a match against Glen Shields Sun Devils.[5] He helped Toronto qualify for the playoffs by finishing third in the standings. He reached the CPSL Championship finals where they faced league giants Toronto Olympians, and won the match by a score of 2-1.[6]

In 2001, he would sign with newly expansion Brampton Hitmen.[7] During his five year tenure with Brampton his greatest success with the organization was in 2003, where he assisted in their CPSL championship run.[8]

Managerial career

In 2005, Akmadžić was given his first coaching role as he served as the head coach for Brampton after the position was vacant for some time.[9] In 2006, he returned to Toronto Croatia to serve as the club's assistant coach. The following season he was elevated to the position of head coach and helped Toronto achieve a 21 game undefeated streak, and reach the postseason by finishing second in the International Division. In the playoffs Toronto reached the finals where they faced arch rivals the Serbian White Eagles FC in a two game final, where Croatia would end up claiming the CSL Championship in a 4-1 victory on goals on aggregate.[10] He also achieved success on the international level by claiming the Croatian World Club Championship.[11] Since 2011, he has served as assistant coach under Velimir Crljan.

He was dismissed as assistant manager of Mississauga MetroStars in March 2019.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 21 April 2023 . Prije 29 godina odigrana je povijesna utakmica između HŠK Zrinjski i NK Ljuti Dolac . 29 years ago, a historic match was played between HŠK Zrinjski and NK Ljuti Dolac . 22 April 2023 . Bljesak.info . en.
  2. Web site: Milodrag Backo Statistics on JustSportsStats.com. 2015-09-08.
  3. Web site: June 11, 1997. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  4. Web site: Canada Kicks -- News Story. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Krznaric. Zeljimir.
  5. Web site: Wednesday May 31/2000 Toronto Croatia vs Glen Shields Sun Devils. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  6. Web site: October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  7. Web site: September 14, 2001 CPSL Toronto Croatia vs Brampton Hitmen. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  8. Web site: October 5th, 2003 CPSL Rogers Cup Playoffs Final Vaughan Sun Devils vs Brampton Hitmen. www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  9. Web site: September 11, 2005 CPSL Brampton Stallions vs Laval Dynamites (by Rocket Robin). www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08. Glover. Robin.
  10. Web site: October 28, 2007 CSL Serbian White Eagles vs Toronto Croatia Championship game 2 (from CSL media release). www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08.
  11. Web site: July 3, 2007 CSL Toronto Croatia win world title (from CSL media release). www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. 2015-09-08.
  12. https://www.thoroldtoday.ca/national-sports/mississauga-metrostars-fire-head-coachgm-after-lengthy-losing-run-1268256 Mississauga MetroStars fire head coach/GM after lengthy losing run