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Milwaukee Kickers First National Championship in 40 Years
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club U20 Men’s team headed to Manalapan, New Jersey this past weekend to compete in the U20 National Cup Tournament. This was only the second time in Milwaukee Kickers history, a team at any level, advanced to the National Final Four and the first team to claim a National Championship title in 40 years.
Under the direction of Head Coach, John Sweeney and Assistant Coach, Danny Sweeney, the U20 Men’s team played three games leading up to the Semi-Final game where they defeated F.C. Maryland 1-0, then advanced to the Finals to face the Greek American Kosmos.
“The competition here this weekend was great,” said Head Coach John Sweeney. “I am extremely proud of the way our guys played. It’s an honor to be part of the first Milwaukee Kickers team to win a national championship in its 40 year existence.”
The team got off to a slow start in game one, but turned things around in the games that followed to shut out their opponents 14-0.
Game #1: vs. U.S. Parma; 0-0
Game #2: vs. Phoenix S.C.; 7-0
Game #3: vs. LaGrange Red Devils: 5-0
Semi-Final Game: F.C. Maryland; 1-0
Championship Game: vs. Greek American Kosmos; 1-0
Chris Madsen scored the game-winning goals in both the semi-final game against F.C. Maryland and the Championship game against the Greek American Kosmos.
A number of the players on this team participated in the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club program as youth players. Some of them have even been playing together since eight grade.
On another note, the Milwaukee Kickers Majors played in a championship game at Uihlein Soccer Park on July 19, 2009 against Madison United. Missing seven players who were in New Jersey for the National Championship, the Kickers team played strong, but came up short losing to Madison United 2-3.
The Kickers Majors led the game 1-0 at halftime, but Madison came back strong with two goals early. Eric Marshall of the Kickers, scored to tie the game, but with two minutes remaining, Madison scored to take the win.
Founded in 1968 as a nonprofit organization. The Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club just celebrated 40 years of bringing soccer to the youth of Milwaukee. In partnership with Milwaukee County, the Kickers established Uihlein Soccer Park in 1992 and built the indoor facility in 1995. For more information, visit www.mksc.org.
Team Roster:
1. Alfano, Michael - Marquette Univ. [Sussex]
2. Bauer, Danny - Marquette Univ. [Cedar Rapids, IA]]
3. Berg, Ben - Univ. of Penn. [Whitefish Bay]
4. Brown, Kevin - Valparaiso Univ. [Racine]
5. Flood, Steve - UW Lacrosse [Waukesha]
6. Gilbertson, Patrick -UW Milwaukee [Wauwatosa]
7. Gottschlich, Brian - UW Platteville [Germantown]
8. Handzlik, Michael - UW Milwaukee [Wauwatosa]
9. Hess, Adam - UW Milwaukee [Milwaukee]
10. Jensen, Taylor - UW Milwaukee [Milwaukee]
11. Laatsch, Chris - UW Madison [West Bend]
12. Madsen, Chris - Marquette Univ. [Brookfield]
13. Rowell, Richard - UW Platteville [Madison]
14. Sanger, Peter - UW Milwaukee [Wauwatosa]
15. Schoen, Randy - Washington Univ. [MO] [Wauwatosa]
16. Shumaker, Patrick - UW Madison [Whitefish Bay]
17. Sweeney, Tom - Marquette Univ. [Wauwatosa]
18. West, Lee - Marquette Univ. [Waukesha]
Head Coach - John Sweeney [Wauwatosa]
Assist. Coach - Danny Sweeney [Wauwatosa]
