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.
.jpg) Akmadžić with Toronto Croatia in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Milodrag Akmadžić | ||
| Place of birth | SFR Yugoslavia | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1994 | Zrinjski Mostar | ||
| 1996–1997 | Toronto Croatia | ||
| 1996–1997 | Toronto Shooting Stars (indoor) | 24 | (7) |
| 2000 | Toronto Croatia | 12 | (0) |
| 2001–2005 | Brampton Hitmen/Stallions | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2005 | Brampton Stallions | ||
| 2006 | Toronto Croatia (assistant) | ||
| 2007 | Toronto Croatia | ||
| 2011–2015 | Toronto Croatia (assistant) | ||
| –2019 | Mississauga MetroStars (assistant) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editAkmadžić 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
editIn 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]
References
edit- ^ "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]. Bljesak.info. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Milodrag Backo Statistics on JustSportsStats.com". Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "June 11, 1997". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Krznaric, Zeljimir. "Canada Kicks -- News Story". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "Wednesday May 31/2000 Toronto Croatia vs Glen Shields Sun Devils". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "October 1, 2000 Toronto Olympians vs Toronto Croatia". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "September 14, 2001 CPSL Toronto Croatia vs Brampton Hitmen". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "October 5th, 2003 CPSL Rogers Cup Playoffs Final Vaughan Sun Devils vs Brampton Hitmen". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Glover, Robin. "September 11, 2005 CPSL Brampton Stallions vs Laval Dynamites (by Rocket Robin)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ "October 28, 2007 CSL Serbian White Eagles vs Toronto Croatia Championship game 2 (from CSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ "July 3, 2007 CSL Toronto Croatia win world title (from CSL media release)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ Mississauga MetroStars fire head coach/GM after lengthy losing run - Thorold Today