Former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Alkis Panagoulias passes away at age 78

Former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Alketas “Alkis” Panagoulias passed away Monday in Vienna, Va., at the age of 78.

The native of Thessaloniki, Greece, led the U.S. MNT from 1983-85, and also guided the 1984 Olympic team. He would later manage Greece from 1992-94 and lead his country to its first FIFA World Cup appearance in 1994.

During his helm, Panagoulias coached the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 6-5-7 record. At the time of his tenure, Panagoulis’ six wins were the second-highest total from a U.S. head coach behind only Walter Chyzowych’s eight-win total from 1976-80.

During the 1984 Olympics, the U.S. defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in their opening match on July 29 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif.

Greek Football Association head coach Sofoklis Pilavios said Tuesday that Greece’s players will wear black armbands during its Euro 2012 quarterfinal match against Germany in Poland on Friday.

A funeral for Panagoulias will be held on Friday, June 22, at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Va.