Top 10 Moments of 2022
Our very own club historian, Chuck Carlson, shares his TOP 10 favorite moments of 2022. Follow Chuck on twitter @ moedog97 #CHACHistory.
10. Chicago House AC versus Steel City FC of Joliet, IL at IIT in Bronzeville
House lost this match 0-1, so it may seem odd to begin a top 10 list with a loss on the field. However, this May 13, 2022 game at House’s home ground of Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart Field was significant in many ways. It was our first official Midwest Premier League match and it demonstrated House’s commitment to putting a competitive team on field after an uncertain off-season. But the reason it makes my top 10 list is, it was our first ever home game within Chicago city limits proper (Bronzeville to be exact!).
9. Chicago House AC team arrival for final round of US Open Cup qualifying
It was after 2 AM on December 17 when, due to airline delays, the House team arrived at their hotel for the final round of Open Cup qualifying versus Brockton FC of Massachusetts. Despite the late arrival, the team was in good spirits and clearly ready for biggest match of 2022!
8. Chicago House AC versus Edgewater Castle of Chicago at Fire Pitch
House were shutout in our first Midwest Premier League game, and did not score in the first half of this May 28, 2022, derby matchup. The 2nd half though was a different story as Musa Morris tallied twice, and AR Smith, Jack Kramer and AJ Franklin got goals in a big 5-0 win for the House. This game set House on their way to an undefeated finish in 2022.
7. Coach Matt Poland’s leadership
Coach Poland has been setting a stellar example for the team on and off the field. In September, Coach Poland and a number of House players participated in a clinic with Diverse City FC of Chicago. And nowhere has the “on the field” quality been more in evidence than House’s Instagram reels! Coach Poland has been very impressive with his half-volley skills on the social media platform this season.
6. Chicago House AC Bronzeville history tour with Bernard C. Turner
In 2022 soccer has been at the center of House Athletic Club, but what gets done off the field is an essential part of building a sustainable community. Being an educated and respectful tenant is an important part of that community building. This year, all regular season home matches were played in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. On July 18, the team was fortunate to learn more about the history as well as the vibrant present of Bronzeville, from Chicago History Museum tour guide, Bernard Turner.
5. Captain AR Smith stepping up to take 5th penalty v Brockton FC in Open Cup
The House US Open Cup run has been filled with big moments. To me, the pressure of taking the 5th penalty in a tied match is the most intense. In this situation, it was not for the win, but to stay in the game, and in the darkness of Randolph, MA on December 17, 2022, Captain AR Smith stood up, and buried his PK (though not visible to House historian on top of press box-I did hear it hit the back of the net!)
4. House players sign fan t-shirt before 3rd Round Open Cup qualifying match
On November 17, 2022, Chicago House AC had our 3rd round US Open Cup qualifying match against Metro Louisville FC in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Captain AR Smith was leading House AC onto the field for pre-game warmups, when a young fan asked him to sign her t-shirt. AR stopped to sign, and then proceeded to have every House player, sign the young fan’s t-shirt. At that point, this was biggest match of House season, and the players were focused on the match. However, that did not stop them from recognizing the importance of fans!
3. House staff provides for players while on the road
In many ways, 2022, has been a step back year for House. Office staff meetings have gone from gatherings of more than 20, to a maximum of 7 people. That said the inventiveness of staff members Jenn Jarmula and Brian Koenig to ensure players have as professional of a team experience as possible, has been impressive. For example, when Brockton FC did not provide a locker room for December 17, 2022, Open Cup qualifying match, Jenn figured out that a local Planet Fitness could be used. She organized it so that every player filled out a form to receive a 1-time free pass for post-game shower (and celebrations!).
2. Goalkeeper Tony Halterman’s heroics as Open Cup shot stopper and PK scorer
Tony Halterman’s stellar play this year has been a team highlight. In particular, his performances in the penalty kick shootouts of 2nd Round of US Open Cup qualifying on October 16, 2022 versus 1927 SC of Ft Wayne, and the final qualifying round on December 17, 2022 versus Brockton FC, have stood out. Not only did he make the saves which allowed House to win those matches and qualify for Open Cup proper, he also put away a couple of kicks to keep House Open Cup dream alive!
1. Kim Seo-In’s stoppage time drawing AND scoring of penalty versus 1927 SC
Soccer is absolutely a team game, and House would not be where it is without the work of every single member of the team. Sometimes, though, a moment of individual initiative comes through. Thus, my #1 pick for 2022 House Historian Top 10 moments is Seo-In Kim’s (aka SoSo!) taking game into his own hands by winning stoppage time penalty, and then scoring ensuing PK to tie 2nd round US Open Cup qualifying match on October 16, 2022. (Full disclosure, while House Historian was at Hales Franciscan field for this game, when SoSo took the PK, I was too nervous to watch, and stood behind press box waiting for crowd reaction!) Seo-In’s crucial action gave House’s PK takers and shot stopper the chance to win the match, and progress to the third round of qualifying, and ultimately, qualify for 2023 US Open Cup proper.
Tweet your favorite moments of 2022 with Chicago House AC @ ChicagoHouse_AC and @ moedog97.