Rolf Decker
Encyclopedia
Rolf Decker is a retired German-American soccer player who played professionally with the New York Hakoah
of the American Soccer League
and earned four caps with the U.S. national team in between 1953 and 1956. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic soccer team at the 1956 Summer Olympics
.
where born in Germany, but grew up in England. In March 1939, the Decker's parents, Ilse and Hans, sent the two boys to England as part of the kindertransport
. Rolf went on to play twice for Aylesbury United F.C.
The first time during the 1946-1947 season and again during the 1949-1950 season. In 1950, Rolf and Otto moved to the United States to rejoin their mother who lived in New York City
. When Rolf arrived in the U.S., he signed with Brooklyn Hakoah
and played from at least 1953 through 1963 with the team which was by then known as New York Hakoah
. In 1955, both Rolf and Otto played for the Hokoah squad which lost in the semifinals the U.S. Open Cup. In 1957, Hakoah lost to St. Louis Kutis SC in the final of the Open Cup. Between 1957 and 1959, Decker and his team mates won three consecutive league titles.
. He played two games in 1954, both 1954 FIFA World Cup
qualification victories over Haiti
. Despite these two wins, the U.S. had already failed to qualify for the finals after losing twice to Mexico
earlier in the year. Decker’s last cap came in the only U.S. game of 1955, a 3-2 loss to Iceland
on August 25, 1955.
Decker was selected for the U.S. soccer team
at the 1956 Summer Olympics
. The U.S. lost its first match in this single elimination tournament and did not make the second round.
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...
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...
and earned four caps with the U.S. national team in between 1953 and 1956. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic soccer team at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
.
Club career
Decker and his brother OttoOtto Decker
Otto Decker is a retired German-American soccer player who earned one cap, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team in 1953.-Youth:...
where born in Germany, but grew up in England. In March 1939, the Decker's parents, Ilse and Hans, sent the two boys to England as part of the kindertransport
Kindertransport
Kindertransport is the name given to the rescue mission that took place nine months prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. The United Kingdom took in nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Nazi Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland and the Free City of Danzig...
. Rolf went on to play twice for Aylesbury United F.C.
Aylesbury United F.C.
Aylesbury United are a football club based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Spartan South Midlands League, nicknamed the Ducks....
The first time during the 1946-1947 season and again during the 1949-1950 season. In 1950, Rolf and Otto moved to the United States to rejoin their mother who lived in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. When Rolf arrived in the U.S., he signed 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...
and played from at least 1953 through 1963 with the team which was by then known as 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 1955, both Rolf and Otto played for the Hokoah squad which lost in the semifinals the U.S. Open Cup. In 1957, Hakoah lost to St. Louis Kutis SC in the final of the Open Cup. Between 1957 and 1959, Decker and his team mates won three consecutive league titles.
National team
Decker earned four caps with the U.S. national team in between 1953 and 1956. His first game with the national team came on June 8, 1953 in a 6-3 loss to EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He played two games in 1954, both 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
qualification victories over Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
. Despite these two wins, the U.S. had already failed to qualify for the finals after losing twice to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
earlier in the year. Decker’s last cap came in the only U.S. game of 1955, a 3-2 loss to Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
on August 25, 1955.
Decker was selected for the U.S. soccer team
United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. 297 competitors, 251 men and 46 women, took part in 139 events in 18 sports.- Gold:*Bobby Morrow — Athletics, Men's 100 metres...
at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
. The U.S. lost its first match in this single elimination tournament and did not make the second round.