Staff
Youth Soccer Board Members
Anel Pajazetovic
Armin Budnjo
Rich Kelly
Vahid Lugonic
Tarik Mekic
Sarah Puskarenko
Joe Detraglia
Greg Fanning
UPSL Board Members
Anel Pajazetovic
Anel had started his coaching career in NY, while going for his NSCAA coaching diploma. Anel holds his US Soccer class D coaching license, goalkeeping level 2, a certified interscholastic coach license, strength and conditioning certification, and a high school coaching license (UASA). His time with the club he has, helped built a successful girls program. Have more Youth teams competing in high level tournaments and leagues. Also help establish a Men's and Women's Semi-Pro teams. Currently Anel is the president of the club and servers as the clubs girls director.
Sarah Puskarenko
Sarah went to Owen D. Young Central School and played five years of Varsity Soccer. Her love and passion for the sport quickly found her coaching the sport she loved not long after playing it for many years. She has coached High School Soccer for Richfield Springs as an Assistant to the Boys Varsity in 2003 and 2004. At Mohawk in 2006 as a Boys Modified Coach, 2007 as Assistant Girls Varsity coach and was a Head Coach for CVA Girls Soccer Coach since 2008. Currently, Sarah is the Modified Girls head soccer coach for the Utica Charter School. Her commitment to the sport also reaches out to a variety of areas with A.Y.S.O. spending her time coaching and directing numerous programs from 2002 to Present. Sarah was Regional Commissioner and Area Director for Area 3G AYSO from 2000-2009. Sarah currently coaches in the clubs girls program.
Zermin Alic
Zermin Alic our Media Director for Krajisnik FC.
His Family immigrated to the US from Bosnia in the year 2000 for a better life and to capture the American Dream.
Zermin Alic our Media Director for Krajisnik FC.
His Family immigrated to the US from Bosnia in the year 2000 for a better life and to capture the American Dream.
Coming to the US has helped Zermin with many things such as being able to obtain an education and find the passion that he has for photography.
Zermin has been doing Photography and Videography for over five years, doing a multitude of different events such as weddings, sporting events, and personal photo shoots.
With being the photographer and videographer for Krajisnik FC, he is able to combine his love for the game of soccer with his new passion of photography.
Adam Roorda
Adam joined our staff in 2019 out of Herkimer, NY. After captaining the Herkimer High School varsity team, he spent one year playing for the Herkimer Generals under Head Coach Pepe Aragon.
His experience includes internships at the Utica Observer-Dispatch sports department and two years interning with the SUNY Oswego Sports Information department. Adam holds an Associate’s Degree in Broadcasting from HCCC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from SUNY Oswego.
Adam currently serves as a contributing writer for SoccerToday.com on behalf of the United Premier Soccer League as well as our Director of Public Relations.
Tarik Mekic
Tarik has been playing soccer since his youth and has a passion for the game.Tarik first started playing club soccer at the age of 5 for FK Vrbanjusa a professional club in Sarajevo, from 1997-2001. Since coming to the USA in 2001, he played for Coliseum a number of years and Krajisnik since 2008.
Tarik has been playing soccer since his youth and has a passion for the game.Tarik first started playing club soccer at the age of 5 for FK Vrbanjusa a professional club in Sarajevo, from 1997-2001. Since coming to the USA in 2001, he played for Coliseum a number of years and Krajisnik since 2008.
Tarik played 1yr of Jv soccer while going to middle school and 4 yrs of varsity in high school while attending Proctor in Utica, NY. While going to high school he made the Mohawk valley semi pro team and played for 2 years. After graduating high school he played for the Greater Binghamton FC semi pro team for 4 years while going to Suny Canton to study dental hygiene.
Tarik started coaching after graduating from college in 2014, with one U12 team that has since grown to multiple teams ranging from U13-15. Currently he is coaching 3 teams, U14 Krajisnik United, U15 Krajisnik Lions and U15 Krajisnik Titans. The club has a plan to creating a next generation super premiere team that's capable of playing very high end level soccer for Krajisnik FC. Tarik's vision is to make sure everyone of his players that would like to pursue a professional career as a soccer player is able to get in to a Division 1 or 2 or 3 college.
Tarik Mekic has his USSF coaching D License. Tarik is also currently the UPSL Men’s Program Assistant Coach.
Sarah Southwell
Sarah comes to us with 3 years of coaching experience with Odyssey Soccer Club. She coached different ages on the girls’ side, U13, U15 and U17, during her time with Odyssey. She was a student coach after finishing her soccer career at Utica College in 2014. Currently, coaching a youth girls team for Krajisnik FC. Sarah has her D coaching license as well.
Sarah attended Utica College were she was a 4-year starter, playing a variety of positions during her time there. She was named Second Team All-Empire 8 for 3 straight years (2011-2013 seasons). Sarah has been appointed as Director of Operations for the UPSL Women’s Team.
David Clayton
Born in Cardiff, Wales UK – David graduated from Brookfield Central School (Brookfield NY) where he is the all-time leading goal scorer in school history and holds the record for most goals in a season.
Born in Cardiff, Wales UK – David graduated from Brookfield Central School (Brookfield NY) where he is the all-time leading goal scorer in school history and holds the record for most goals in a season.
David played two years at Mohawk Valley CC, where he led the team in scoring. He is a graduate of SUNY EMPIRE STATE (NY) with a Bachelors in Business Management and Economics has a Certificate in Sustainability, holds a USSF Class D License and has been a member of the NSCAA since 2016.
David is currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at North Country Community College.