The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse would like to recognize 17 -year-old Gabe Einhorn as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The rising senior at The Frisch School was an impact player on the United States U18 boys’ soccer team that took home the gold medal at the 14th Pan American Maccabi Games, held in Mexico City earlier this summer.
Team USA’s head coach Josh Pransky told The Jewish Link: “Gabe was an excellent number 8 for us (that’s a two-way defensive minded midfielder). When we were in a game where they had a midfielder who controlled the pace of the game, we knew we could put Gabe in to shut him down. In fact at one point in the middle of a game, our starting Center Midfielder came over to me and said, ‘Coach I think you need to sub me out and put Gabe in, he’s our best defensive midfielder and he can shut this game down for us.’ That’s high praise from a player who will likely go on to play NCAA D1 soccer.”
Coach Pransky continued, “I don’t know if Gabe even knows this but Mexico had a fantastic midfielder who was their best player. We subbed Gabe in to shut the guy down. It worked well and we won the game 1-0. There was no room for error in that game. A few days later I happened to meet the parents of the player from Mexico. We had a nice talk and then out of nowhere the player’s mom says to me, half jokingly, ‘I am so angry that you put 35 (Gabe’s number) in to defend my son! We really had a chance until then.’”
Gabe, congratulations on helping to bring home the gold and for receiving such high praise from your coach and opponent. Who is your role model and why?
My dad because of his hard work and dedication to everything that he does.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is soccer.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Winning gold in Mexico at the Maccabi games on the U18 Soccer Team for USA and going undefeated and winning the championship this past season on the Frisch varsity soccer team.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Lionel Messi because he is the best soccer player in the world and he was able to overcome a lot of adversity because of his height.
What is your earliest sport memory?
Playing Teaneck rec soccer for the first time and scoring the game winning goal in my first game.
What is your pregame routine?
Listening to my pregame playlist and getting pumped with my teammates.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Scoring seven goals in the championship game this past year and winning the game to clinch an undefeated season.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Hang out with my friends and family, and coach soccer.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
The best thing about being a Sportstar is being a role model and showing that if you work hard you will succeed.
The Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift at the Teaneck Doghouse. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and Teaneck Doghouse Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
