Minnesota Thunder News Release - www.mnthunder.com
Thursday, January 3, 2008
BUENOS AIRES -- Minnesota Thunder head coach Amos Magee and the US Maccabi men’s soccer team won the gold medal at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires. The US Men´s team was victorious over host Argentina 2-0 in the gold medal game from a goal and assist by Thunder defender Kevin Friedland.
Magee was named the head coach of the Maccabi team in March. This international tournament, one of two major tournaments for Jewish Athletes every four years, commenced December 24 and finished the 3rd of January in Argentina.
The US advanced into the knockout stages after a convincing 5-0 win over Chile in their final group stage game. After opening the tournament with a 4-0 win over Columbia, the US lost 0-3 to host Argentina in a game marred by a major injury to Argentine midfielder Ari Kaplan. They responded by securing a place in the semifinal with the surprising win over traditional powerhouse Chile. Up 1-0 at halftime the US erupted for four second half goals to advance.
The semifinals pitted traditional CONMEBOL rivals Argentina and Brazil while CONCACAF rivals US and Mexico battled in the other semifinal. Argentina advanced over Brazil 2-0 while the US beat Mexico in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.
Up 1-0 on a goal from Thunder defender Kevin Friedland, the US gave up a late goal to Mexico on a penalty kick to force extratime at 1-1. In overtime, PDL Westchester Flames midfielder Dan Shapiro scored the go-ahead goal for the US only for Mexico to equalize with a minute remaining in overtime to finish up 2-2. The US made all four penalty kicks with Chivas USA goalkeeper Justin Meyers stopping two Mexican penalties for the victory in the tiebreaker.
The US squad was captained by Friedland and featured several players with USL experience on the roster, including Graham Albert (Virginia Legacy) Brett Meyers (Richmond Kickers), David Blum (Westchester Flames), Brian Kuritzsky (Westchester Flames) Kyle Altman (DFW Tornados).
This is the first gold medal for the US in soccer at the Maccabi Games. The previous best results were a silver medal in Israel in 2005 and a silver medal in 1981. Friedland was a member of the US team in 2005 along with US Internationals Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber. Magee assisted San Diego St. Head coach Lev Kirshner in 2005 as well.
