Israeli Forward Dor Turgeman Faces Abuse After Goal Celebration in MLS Match

Israeli striker Dor Turgeman had a notable season in Major League Soccer, scoring in a 2-2 draw between New England and Montreal on the night between Saturday and Sunday. Following his goal, Turgeman deliberately celebrated in front of opposing fans, which sparked chaos on the field and ended with him being pushed by Montreal's goalkeeper.

In an interview with "5 BaAvir - Newsroom," Turgeman's father, Gabi Turgeman, addressed the incident and the abuse his son endured. He revealed that throughout the match, Dor was subjected to hostile chants including "Death to Israel" and "Free Palestine," a first for him in North America, as such abuse had not occurred in the U.S. before but did happen in Canada. Gabi emphasized that despite the verbal attacks, Dor maintained his dignity and deserved to celebrate his goal.

Regarding the celebration, Gabi explained that Dor typically celebrates with outstretched arms and thanks God, and the gesture of putting a hand to his ear was not something he wanted to elaborate on. He expressed mixed feelings about the politicization of the game, noting surprise that it happened in Canada and attributing it to a small group of immigrants. Gabi also mentioned that the team supported Dor after the incident, and the matter did not escalate beyond the game.

On Dor's move to MLS, Gabi noted that the family chose the league partly because European clubs were hesitant to sign Israeli players amid ongoing conflicts. He highlighted the ease of travel to Boston and the family's efforts to stay connected despite the distance. Professionally and socially, Dor is progressing well, improving his English and returning from the break on a positive note.

When asked about goals for the season, Gabi said no specific targets were set but expressed confidence that Dor could score in every game. Although Dor is less connected to Maccabi Tel Aviv currently, he still follows and supports the club.

Summary: Israeli forward Dor Turgeman scored for New England in an MLS match against Montreal, where he faced hostile chants targeting Israel. His father confirmed the abuse and defended his son's celebration, emphasizing his professional progress and family support despite the challenges.