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Lilavois brings a wealth of experience as a player, coach and executive across the professional soccer landscape.

Lilavois began his professional playing career in 1991 with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, winning the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) title as a rookie. Transitioning to indoor soccer in 1994, he played for the San Jose Grizzlies and Anaheim Splash, where he earned a Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) All-Star selection in 1997.

Over the course of his extensive playing career, Lilavois played for more than 16 professional teams including the Cincinnati Silverbacks, Harrisburg Heat and Buffalo Blizzard (National Professional Soccer League), Portland Pythons (World Indoor Soccer League), and Cleveland Force (Major Indoor Soccer League), among others where he accumulated over 1,000 career points. He was also part of the United States National Futsal Team player pool from 2000 to 2005 winning a bronze medal at the CONCACAF Championships in Costa Rica.

Lilavois also brings extensive experience in coaching and management. He served as the inaugural head coach of the U.S. National Arena Soccer Team in 2007. In 2009 he guided the Stockton Cougars to a Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) championship. He also previously owned and operated the Anaheim Bolts and Ontario Fury, where he served as both head coach and team president. His leadership also includes serving as vice president of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) board of directors, where he played a key role in the creation of the M2 division.

As commissioner, Lilavois oversees league operations, spearhead development initiatives and lead community engagement efforts. His appointment marks an exciting chapter for Major League Indoor Soccer as it continues to elevate indoor soccer in the United States and beyond.

Mohamad “Mo” Azhar, owner of Summit City United's (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) men's and women's teams within the MLIS and Women’s Major League Indoor Soccer (WMLIS), will act as the director of MLISX. 

In addition to his time within the MLIS and WMLIS, his experience spans competitive high school soccer in Oklahoma, regional success with Rise Futsal Academy, and time in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with Azul City FC. 

Azhar continued his playing career at Indiana Tech before transitioning into coaching, where he now leads both Alianza, Indiana Futsal Club’s high school team, and the U14 Rangers Academy. 

Under his leadership, Summit City United’s men’s squad finished in the top six league standings in its MLIS season debut, and the women’s team reached the WMLIS finals but fell short to the Chicago Mustangs.

 "We’re excited to launch our MLISX program and couldn’t think of a more deserving person to lead this project,” said Bernie Lilavois, MLIS commissioner. “Mo has been very active and working hard across the country, helping grow soccer at the amateur level for many years."

Visit MLISX for more information.