Philadelphia, PA, September 2 – Michael Erush, Assistant Coach for the Men’s Soccer Team at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), was appointed Head Coach for the Youth Men’s Soccer Team representing the USA at the Maccabi Australia International Games (MAIGs). The competition will take place at Olympic Park in Sydney where the majority of competition occurred at the 2000 International Summer Olympics.
Prior to his coaching career at LMU, Erush was a standout athlete for the LMU Men’s Soccer Team and went on to play Soccer professionally in the USA and Europe for the Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA and Miami FC. He is currently in his fourth season of coaching at LMU.
Erush has been a member o the USA Open Men’s Soccer Team twice at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel. He played Center Defense at the 17th Games in 2005 and Assistant Coach for the 18th Games in 2009. His 17th Games Team won the silver medal, which was a first for any USA Team in Soccer at the World Maccabiah Games and remains one of his athletic career highlights.
Erush loves the opportunity to coach a team participating in international competition and is particularly excited to coach the USA Youth Men’s Team. He feels it will be a great experience for the Team to have the chance to compete at the world-class facilities of Sydney Olympic Park which should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his Team.
“During my professional Soccer days my expectations were always high and that is the same with my expectations as a coach. First and foremost, I want to make sure the boys have fun and act professionally both on and off the field.” Erush said when asked what his expectations were for the Games, “As always in any training and competition, the expectation will be to compete and earn respect from all our competitors. The ultimate goal is to represent Maccabi USA professionally and to bring home a gold medal.”
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) has an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a co-founder of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish continuity, Zionism and excellence in sport.