Milwaukee Kickers U20 Men's Team Win National Championship

The Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club U20 Men’s team headed to Manalapan, New Jersey on July 17-19 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, both from Wauwatosa, 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.

Five players, Patrick Gilbertson, Michael Handzlik, Peter Sanger, Randy Schoen and Tom Sweeney along with Head Coach, John Sweeney and Assistant Coach, Danny Sweeney are from the Wauwatosa area. These players participated in the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club program as youth players. Some of them have even been playing together since eighth grade.