FC Motown’s Ethan Hagen to Compete in Maccabiah 2025 Games
Ethan Hagen, a standout for FC Motown and Stevens Institute of Technology, is heading to Israel this summer to participate in the Maccabiah 2025 Games.
The Maccabiah Games, the Jewish Olympic Games, is an event that unites athletes worldwide in a prestigious international competition held in Israel.
Hagen understands the significance of the event for the global Jewish community.
“The Maccabiah Games are a symbol of unity, resilience, and pride for Jewish athletes worldwide,” Hagen said. “It’s an event that brings together people from all backgrounds to celebrate our heritage through sport. For me, it’s a chance to honor those who came before us, inspire future generations, and show the world the strength and talent of the Jewish community.”
Getting chosen for the team was an important milestone for Hagen.
“I found out about this incredible honor over the past summer after trying out in New York,” Hagen said. “The tryout took place the day after our FC Motown Region Final against the New York Shockers, so I remember waking up tired and sore but still excited for the opportunity. The tryout went well, and a few weeks later, I received a call congratulating me on making the team. I immediately told my dad, and we were both thrilled. It was a surreal moment, realizing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of me, and I felt completely overjoyed.”
Playing in Israel is also a special opportunity for the Union, NJ native.
“Competing in Israel is an incredible opportunity to represent both my heritage and my country on an international stage,” Hagen said. “It’s a unique chance to connect with my roots, experience the culture, and play the sport I love in a place that holds deep historical and personal significance. It’s a great experience for me to improve as well. Competing against some great opposition across the world is something that does not happen often.”
Hagen has high expectations for the event.
“I expect the competition to be intense, with top-level talent from around the world,” Hagen said. “Beyond the high level of play, I look forward to the camaraderie between athletes, the cultural experiences, and the pride of wearing the U.S. jersey while competing against strong international opponents. In addition, I want the event to teach me as well more about my culture. The truth is that I am excited to learn about the land and its history from people that live there. As much as I want to improve myself as a player, the goal of this event is to connect myself more with the culture.”
FC Motown General Manager Gregory Irwin is grateful for the contributions that Hagen has made at the club and in the community.
“Ethan is the embodiment of what makes a great player and teammate,” Irwin said. “He is first an incredible human being. His workrate, camaraderie, and personality made him a fan favorite this past summer for our NPSL group. He excels in the classroom and is a model in the community. Ethan is the type of player that benefits most from the NPSL season: the ability to compete against big school guys, former pros, and players of the same standing – looking to prove themselves against elite talent. We are thrilled Ethan will have this experience to compete abroad in the Maccabi Games and look forward to his continued success.”
Hagen has been a dominant performer at Stevens since 2022, and he has the impressive statistics and accolades to prove it. He has played in 57 matches (52 starts), and compiled 4,665 minutes of play along with two assists. In 2024, he was part of a defense that yielded just 0.65 goals per match. The previous season Hagen was part of nine clean sheets. He has also received All-MAC Freedom Second Team, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Selection, and MAC Fall Sports Academic Honor Roll honors. He is a model student-athlete, getting the job done on the field and in the classroom as a Mechanical Engineering major.
Dale Jordan, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Stevens, is clearly proud of everything Hagen has accomplished.
“Ethan is without a doubt one of the best players to have come through the gates at DeBaun and play for the Stevens men’s soccer program,” Jordan said. “The two main features that sets Ethan apart is his elite mindset and his work ethic. He sets the standards in training through his performances and replicates them on the pitch in games. In his position as a right back for Stevens his ability to defend 1v1 along with his powerful overlapping runs forward make him one of the top defenders in the country at the Division 3 level. A very humble hard working young man who never makes excuses or complains about the hard work Ethan is an incredible ambassador for his school, the Stevens men’s soccer program and his family. We look forward to watching him perform this summer at the Maccabi Games.”
Playing for FC Motown and Stevens has prepared him for this overseas journey and whatever comes next.
“Playing for FC Motown and Stevens has pushed me to compete at a high level both physically and mentally. At Stevens, I developed a strong tactical understanding and leadership ability, while FC Motown has exposed me to the intensity and pace of elite-level soccer. Both experiences have shaped me into a well-rounded player ready to compete on an international stage. Both of these levels have helped me mature as a player and competitor.”
And Hagen will now take these skills to play alongside and against some of the world’s top athletes. This next step is a big one, and it is clear that the future is going to be bright for Hagen both on and off the pitch. He has the talent, mindset, and experience to make it big on an even bigger stage.
Photo Credit: Stockton Photo and Cameron Gustavson/FC Motown
