Ukrainian Lions

The Ukrainian Lions, also known as Chicago Lions SC was operated by the Ukrainian American Sports Association. The club was based in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1949 by Ukrainians that had settled in the Chicago area after the Second World War. They competed professionally in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (National Challenge Cup)[1] and the National Soccer League (Chicago). All their home games were played at Hansen Stadium. There were 5 players from the Ukrainian Lions that played on the US National Team Willy Roy, Nick Krat, Orest Banach, Stefan Szefer and Mike Noha.

In 1975, the Chicago Sting signed Ukrainian Lions players Willy Roy, Stefan Szefer, Richard Greene, Mike Winters, Eugene Andruss and Ian Stone for their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League. Former players that went on to play were Nick Owcharuk in the North American Soccer League with the San Diego Sockers, Leo Kulinczenko in the American Soccer League with the Los Angeles Skyhawks and Bill Mishalow with the Memphis Rogues of the North American Soccer League.