GOLD MEDALISTS U.S. captures Maccabi Games crown
first gold medal in Soccer ever
Jan. 2, 2008
GOLD MEDALISTS
U.S. captures Maccabi Games crown
Buenos Aires, Argentina -- The United States recorded a 2-0 win over Argentina to capture the gold medal of the Pan American Maccabi Games Wednesday.
Minnesota Thunder defender Kevin Friedland led the way with a goal and an assist.
The Americans advanced into the knockout stages after a convincing 5-0 victory over Chile in their final group stage game. After opening the tournament with a 4-0 win over Columbia, the US lost to Argentina, 3-0, in a game marred by a major injury to Argentine midfielder Ari Kaplan. They responded by securing a place in the semifinal with a win over traditional powerhouse Chile, 5-0, behind four second-half goals.
The semifinals pitted traditional CONMEBOL rivals Argentina and Brazil as CONCACAF rivals US and Mexico. Argentina advanced over Brazil, 2-0, while the US edged Mexico, 3-2, in penalty kicks.
Up 1-0 on a goal from Friedland, the U.S. allowed a late goal to Mexico on a penalty kick. In extratime, Westchester Flames midfielder Dan Shapiro, scored the go-ahead goal only for Mexico to equalize with a minute remaining. The U.S. converted all four of its penalty kicks, while Chivas USA goalkeeper Justin Meyers stopped two Mexican attempts.
The U.S. is captained by Friedland while several players with USL experience fill out the roster: Graham Albert (Virginia Legacy) Brett Meyers (Richmond Kickers) Shapiro, David Blum, Brian Kuritzsky (Westchester Flames) Kyle Altman (Dallas/Ft. Worth Tornados). Boston University alumnus Jared Goldberg, who made the Thunder´s Copa Minnesota roster, was red carded in the semifinal and missed the final.
This is the first gold medal for the U.S. in soccer at the Maccabi Games. The previous best results were a silver medal in Israel in 2005 and a silver medal in 1981. Goldberg and Friedland were members of the U.S. team in 2005 along with U.S. Internationals Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber. Minnesota Thunder head coach Magee assisted San Diego St. head coach Lev Kirshner in the 2005 Games.
No other information was available about the gold-medal match.
USA -2-Argentina-0-for the gold medal
Linear Mode
