Sports
Shiloh Graduate Living a Dream
Snellville resident Emsad Zahirovic overcomes obstacles to make a professional soccer team, the Silverbacks.
As a child, Emsad Zahirovic endured many obstacles.
Born in Bosnia, he followed his dad into Croatia for work but went back to Bosnia when he was 3-years-old, as his father was fighting for his country. His family finished travel paperwork and moved to America in 2000 when Emsad was 12.
At the time, Bosnians that came to Georgia were settled in Clarkston, but after a short stay there, the Zahirovic family moved to the Snellville area. There Zahirovic was able to play at . His coach at the time, Joe Ridgway, was a big influence on his career.
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"I think all the coaches helped me," Zahirovic said. "The varsity, The JV, they all helped me."
After high school Emsad, as he's known by his friends, went to Europe and played in some club soccer leagues. With no college experience, he moved back to live with his family and tried out for an open tryout with the Silverbacks. The rest, as they say, is history.
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"I played in Europe a couple of months to stay in shape," he said. "I went to my country and played down there and when I moved back here I was in the ASL League, the amateur league here in Atlanta and I just kept playing there for the last four years and that's how I did it."
During the time he played, he scored 86 goals in the four years. Zahirovic said he would love to help the youth if he has the opportunity. Soccer is his passion and being only 23, Zahirovic knows the future is bright.
"Just playing here and having people support you is amazing," he said. "Coach (Jose Abundis, Silverbacks head coach) is amazing. Whatever he says and you do it, makes it much easier. Whatever he tells me, it's way easy.
"Soccer has really grown a lot over the last few years. Before when I first came here, it wasn't as big. People didn't want to play or care but the last few years it's been growing. Like in the MLS, there are more franchises."
Zahirovic, who has one older sister, believes his family is very supportive and are very proud of his accomplishments. They are not the athletes though.
"They just like shopping," he said.
So keep you eyes on the Snellville kid who made it with the Silverbacks. The team plays next Saturday night (May 7) at 7:30 p.m. vs. FC Edmonton at Silverback Stadium right off Northcrest Road and Interstate 85.
