Erno Schwarz
Encyclopedia
Ernö Schwarz or Schwarcz (27 October 1904 - 19 July 1974) was a Hungarian American
soccer player, coach and promoter who served as head coach of the United States men's national soccer team
. He played professionally in Hungary, Czeckoslavakia, Austria and the United States, earning two caps, scoring two goals, with the Hungarian national team
in 1922. Schwarz founded, owned, managed and played for the New York Americans
in the first and second American Soccer League
s. He was also the ASL and International Soccer League
vice president. His daughter was married to United States national team
player Ben Zinn
.
, crushing them 4-1 off two Schwarz goals. This brought him to the attention of Hakoah Vienna which signed him in December 1923. He went on to play twelve games, scoring nine goals, through the remainder of the 1923-1924 season. In the spring of 1926, Hakoah Vienna toured the United States. Impressed by the high pay and relatively minor anti-Semitism compared to Europe, Schwarz and several of his team mates decided to move to the U.S. following the conclusion of the tour. Before he did so, he returned to Austria where Hakoah won the league championship. Then in the summer of 1926, he left Europe for good to move to the United States. When he arrived, he signed with the New York Giants
of the American Soccer League
(ASL). In 1928, the ASL and United States Football Federation engaged in a struggle for dominance in the U.S. Known as the “Soccer War”, this struggle led to USFA and FIFA declaring the ASL and “outlaw league”. When that happened, Schwarz signed for Rangers F.C.
, but was unable to join the club due to labor restrictions in Great Britain
. After the Rangers deal fell through, Schwarz helped form New York Hakoah
in the Eastern Professional Soccer League. Hakoah took third in the league, but ran away with the 1929 National Challenge Cup
. Hakoah won both legs of the final over St. Louis Madison Kennel
, with Schwarz scoring a goal in Hakoah’s 3-0 second game victory. Following the end of the “Soccer War” in 1929, the ASL and ESL merged with New York Hakoah of the ESL merging with Brooklyn Hakoah
of the ASL to form the Hakoah All-Stars
. In 1931, Schwarz founded his own team, the New York Americans
with whom he became both a player and coach. In 1933, Schwarz and his team mates lost to Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
in the final of the 1933 National Challenge Cup
. While the Americans defeated the St. Louis Shamrocks
in the 1937 National Challenge Cup
, Schwarz did not play in the final game as he had broken his leg in February 1937. After that, he played sporadically, but continued to play occasional games with the Americans until at least 1951.
. Both games came in July 1922, the first against Germany
and the second a few days later against Finland
. In that game, Schwarz scored two goals in a 5-1 victory. He never played for the national team again. On 19 May 1935, Schwarz played an unofficial international match for the United States men's national soccer team
in a 5-1 loss to Scotland
.
from 1953 until 1955
. During that time, he compiled a 2-4 record as the U.S. failed to qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
.
, for which he was both the owner and player-manager. He guided the team through the last years of the ASL’s existence, going to the final of the 1933 National Challenge Cup
. That spring, the ASL collapsed and Schwarz was instrumental in the creation of a second American Soccer League which began playing in the fall of 1933. He continued to own the Americans for an unknown time after that.
in the spring of 1933, Schwarz became instrumental in the founding of the second league with that name. In the fall of 1933, the new league came into existence with Schwarz entering the Americans in the Metropolitan Division. Schwarz was indefatigable, selling tickets, promoting the team and even selling concessions at halftimes. Over the years, Schwarz was one of the more important executives in the American Soccer League
, In 1947, he became the league’s vice president and in 1957, he served as the ASL Business Manager. In 1960, he became the Vice President and General Manager of the International Soccer League
.
.
Schwarz was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1951. He died on 19 July 1974 in Queens
.
Hungarian American
Hungarian Americans Hungarian are American citizens of Hungarian descent. The constant influx of Hungarian immigrants was marked by several waves of sharp increase.-History:...
soccer player, coach and promoter who served as head coach of the United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. He played professionally in Hungary, Czeckoslavakia, Austria and the United States, earning two caps, scoring two goals, with the Hungarian national team
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in 1922. Schwarz founded, owned, managed and played for the New York Americans
New York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
in the first and second American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
s. He was also the ASL and International Soccer League
International Soccer League (1960-1965)
The International Soccer League was a U.S. based soccer league which was formed in 1960 and collapsed in 1965. The league, affiliated with the American Soccer League, featured guest teams primarily from Europe and some from Asia, South America, Canada and Mexico.-History:In 1960, William Cox, a...
vice president. His daughter was married to United States national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
player Ben Zinn
Ben Zinn
Ben T. Zinn is an Israeli-born American academic in engineering and former international soccer player. He is currently the David S. Lewis, Jr., Chair and Regents' Professor at Georgia Tech.-Biography:...
.
Player
Schwarz began his professional career as a forward for Ferencvárosi TC when he was seventeen. In 1922, Ferencvárosi won the Hungarian Cup. That fall, Schwarz moved to Czechoslovakian club Makkabi Brno. In November 1923, Makkabi played an exhibition game against SK Rapid WienSK Rapid Wien
The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times...
, crushing them 4-1 off two Schwarz goals. This brought him to the attention of Hakoah Vienna which signed him in December 1923. He went on to play twelve games, scoring nine goals, through the remainder of the 1923-1924 season. In the spring of 1926, Hakoah Vienna toured the United States. Impressed by the high pay and relatively minor anti-Semitism compared to Europe, Schwarz and several of his team mates decided to move to the U.S. following the conclusion of the tour. Before he did so, he returned to Austria where Hakoah won the league championship. Then in the summer of 1926, he left Europe for good to move to the United States. When he arrived, he signed with the New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL). In 1928, the ASL and United States Football Federation engaged in a struggle for dominance in the U.S. Known as the “Soccer War”, this struggle led to USFA and FIFA declaring the ASL and “outlaw league”. When that happened, Schwarz signed for Rangers F.C.
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, but was unable to join the club due to labor restrictions in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. After the Rangers deal fell through, Schwarz helped form New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
in the Eastern Professional Soccer League. Hakoah took third in the league, but ran away with the 1929 National Challenge Cup
1929 National Challenge Cup
The 1928–29 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This edition of the soccer tournament featured 100 entrants...
. Hakoah won both legs of the final over St. Louis Madison Kennel
St. Louis Madison Kennel
St. Louis Madison Kennel was a U.S. soccer team established in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. The team played in the St. Louis Soccer League for two seasons. Madison Kennel reached the final of the 1929 National Challenge Cup where they lost 5-0 on aggregate to New York Hakoah in a two game, home...
, with Schwarz scoring a goal in Hakoah’s 3-0 second game victory. Following the end of the “Soccer War” in 1929, the ASL and ESL merged with New York Hakoah of the ESL merging with Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah
Brooklyn Hakoah is a former United States soccer team club based in Brooklyn, New York that played in the American Soccer League.-Brooklyn Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players of SC Hakoah Wien, they played in the American Soccer League in 1929...
of the ASL to form the Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars is a former United States football club that played in the American Soccer League between 1930 and 1932. The club was formed after the merger of Brooklyn Hakoah of the ASL and New York Hakoah of the Eastern Soccer League...
. In 1931, Schwarz founded his own team, the New York Americans
New York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
with whom he became both a player and coach. In 1933, Schwarz and his team mates lost to Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C.
Stix, Baer and Fuller F.C. was a U.S. soccer club which played in the St. Louis Soccer League from 1931 to 1934. The team was known as Hellrungs from 1929 to 1931, St. Louis Central Breweries F.C. from 1934 to 1935 and St. Louis Shamrocks from 1935 to 1938. During its short existence, it won two...
in the final of the 1933 National Challenge Cup
1933 National Challenge Cup
The 1933 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. As in 1931, the ASL teams played a round robin format instead of direct knockout games. The five New York team formed the Metropolitan group...
. While the Americans defeated the St. Louis Shamrocks
St. Louis Shamrocks (1935-1938)
St. Louis Shamrocks was an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They competed in the St. Louis Association Football League, winning two championships....
in the 1937 National Challenge Cup
1937 National Challenge Cup
The 1937 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-First game:-Second game:...
, Schwarz did not play in the final game as he had broken his leg in February 1937. After that, he played sporadically, but continued to play occasional games with the Americans until at least 1951.
National team
Schwarz earned two caps, scoring two goals, with the Hungarian national teamHungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. Both games came in July 1922, the first against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
and the second a few days later against Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
. In that game, Schwarz scored two goals in a 5-1 victory. He never played for the national team again. On 19 May 1935, Schwarz played an unofficial international match for the United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in a 5-1 loss to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Professional
When Schwarz founded the New York Americans in 1931, he installed himself as team coach. At some point, he left coaching, but in 1956 returned as coach of the AmericansNational team
In 1953, Schwarz was selected to coach the United States men's national soccer teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
from 1953 until 1955
U.S. Men's Soccer Records (1950-1959)
This is a compilation of every international soccer game played by the United States men's national soccer team from 1950 to 1959. It includes the team's record for that year, each game and the date played. It also lists the U.S. goal scorers....
. During that time, he compiled a 2-4 record as the U.S. failed to qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
.
Owner
In 1931, Schwarz founded the New York AmericansNew York Americans (soccer)
The New York Americans were an American soccer club founded in 1931. Based in New York, New York, it played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues.-History:...
, for which he was both the owner and player-manager. He guided the team through the last years of the ASL’s existence, going to the final of the 1933 National Challenge Cup
1933 National Challenge Cup
The 1933 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. As in 1931, the ASL teams played a round robin format instead of direct knockout games. The five New York team formed the Metropolitan group...
. That spring, the ASL collapsed and Schwarz was instrumental in the creation of a second American Soccer League which began playing in the fall of 1933. He continued to own the Americans for an unknown time after that.
Executive
Following the collapse of the first American Soccer LeagueAmerican Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
in the spring of 1933, Schwarz became instrumental in the founding of the second league with that name. In the fall of 1933, the new league came into existence with Schwarz entering the Americans in the Metropolitan Division. Schwarz was indefatigable, selling tickets, promoting the team and even selling concessions at halftimes. Over the years, Schwarz was one of the more important executives in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, In 1947, he became the league’s vice president and in 1957, he served as the ASL Business Manager. In 1960, he became the Vice President and General Manager of the International Soccer League
International Soccer League (1960-1965)
The International Soccer League was a U.S. based soccer league which was formed in 1960 and collapsed in 1965. The league, affiliated with the American Soccer League, featured guest teams primarily from Europe and some from Asia, South America, Canada and Mexico.-History:In 1960, William Cox, a...
.
Promoter
Schwarz also worked during World War II to convince American GIs living in Britain to play soccer, in hopes of growing the sport in America. He later organized tours by top European clubs in order to increase the popularity of the sport. He was also not set on the outdoor game, but in 1960, he also organized one of the first major indoor soccer tournaments at Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
.
Schwarz was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1951. He died on 19 July 1974 in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
.