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Today we faced Israel in the last game of our preliminary round. The Israelis entered the game with seven points and had already qualified for the medal round. Team USA needed one point or a Peru loss to Brazil to assure a semi-final game on Sunday afternoon and a chance at a medal. Team USA started the game with some adjustments to the line up. Kent and Wiz started up front, Indy and Abudaram in the central midfield, Greene and Glancy on the outside midfield, Captain America Rosenberg and Alhadeff central backs, Adamo and Stone at outside back and Fishel in the goal. Both teams attempted to establish controlled passing games while neither team moved the ball around too quickly. In the first half, USA created a few chances including one from Kent that was turned away. Avershal came in at striker, giving Kent (Mr. Hustle) a well-deserved rest. The first half ended 0-0. It had become quite hot and humid and several players had to be substituted. At half-time, coach Jason was quite heated, criticizing us for not protecting the ball enough, turning it over for goal kicks and drifting away from our possession passing play. The second half started in a similar manner to the first half and it seemed that the Israelis were content to keep away from any rough play, possess the ball in the middle of the park and play for a tie. They did send one through ball to the right side of the goal and Fish had to be quick off his line, sliding to smother it and snuff out a scoring threat. In the 60th minute, Glancy went off with what appeared to be a knee injury and didn’t return to the game. In the 70th minute, USA began to press in the Israeli’s end. Wiz had a chance on the left side when he picked the ball of the defender's foot, took one touch and laced a low shot towards the short side. The keeper managed to stretch and turn it away with his right hand. A few minutes later, USA won a corner kick. Wiz drove a ball into the middle that Silverman got his head on at the top of the box. The ball fell at the 18 yard line and Indy stepped onto it volleying it low to the left corner but just deflecting off an Israeli defender for another corner kick. Wiz jumped on the ball quickly and took it back to the left corner. Rosenberg charged on a 50 yard dash from his sweeper position to the corner and took it short from Wiz. He turned skillfully and drove the ball at shoulder height across the box at the 15 yard line. Mogul (#9) streaked across the from the right side, leaned forward diving for the ball managing to strike it hard with his head. The ball careened towards goal, evading the defenders and slotted into the left side 6 inches from the post, beyond the outstretched arms of the keeper. There was joy amongst the players as they piled on to Mogul celebrating this highlight reel goal. USA held on with some tenacious defending and keep away ball from Stone, Alhadeff, Rosenberg, Adamo, Silverman, Lorry, Abudaram, Hakimian, Posner and Pollack. Both Snyder (hamstring strain) and Moshal (bruised ribs) sat out the game with injuries. It was a great Maccabi moment for the MUSA 45 old boys and a fantastic way to end the bracket play.
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