Walter Bahr
Encyclopedia
Walter Alfred Bahr is a retired American
soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. national team
and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup
when the U.S. defeated England 1–0
, in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
, Pennsylvania
, began playing soccer at the age of 11 and joined the Philadelphia Nationals
of the professional American Soccer League
as an amateur player. His talent was obvious and he was paid a great compliment during the Scottish national team
tour of the U.S. in 1949 by former Scottish international Tommy Muirhead
, who wrote in the Glasgow Daily Mail, "Bahr is good enough to play for any First Division team in the United Kingdom."
After participating in the 1948 Summer Olympics
, Bahr turned professional and helped his club win ASL titles in 1950, 1951, 1953, and 1955. He then switched to the Uhrik Truckers
, another team in the Philadelphia area, and won the ASL title in 1956. However, "professional" soccer players at that time made little money and Bahr also was a high school teacher during his playing years. In the late 1960s and through the 70's Bahr was a high school Gym teacher at Frankford High School
in Philadelphia. He also coached the soccer team.
headed in for the winning goal. The entire team was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1976.
In January 2004, Bahr and the four other living members of the 1950 World Cup Team (Frank Borghi, Harry Keough, Gino Pariani and John Souza) were recognized as Honorary All-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America at its annual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
and the Philadelphia Ukrainians
of the American Soccer League
(ASL). He also coached the Temple
and Penn State
men's soccer teams, while simultaneously coaching the soccer team at Frankford High School, where he taught. During his 14-year tenure at Penn State, the team was selected to the NCAA Tournament 12 times. He was NSCAA Coach of the Year in 1979 and elected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame in 1995. His overall coaching record is 448 wins, 137 losses, and 70 draws.
Bahr's three sons Casey
, Chris
, and Matt
, all played professional soccer in the defunct North American Soccer League
. Casey and Chris also played for the U.S. Olympic team, and Chris and Matt later became field goal
placekicker
s in the National Football League
,each earning a Super Bowl ring. Bahr's daughter Davies Ann was an All-America
n gymnast
. Bahr is retired and lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
, near Penn State, occasionally appearing as a sports commentator
for Penn State soccer matches.
Bahr was portrayed by Wes Bentley
in the 2005 movie The Game of Their Lives, which has been distributed in DVD under the title "Miracle Match."
discussing the U.S. upset victory over England in the 1950 World Cup.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. He was the long-time captain of the U.S. 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...
and played in the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
when the U.S. defeated England 1–0
England v United States (1950)
On 29 June 1950, at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the United States defeated England 1–0 in a group match. This unexpected result has led to the match being described as the "Miracle on Grass", in reference to the 1980 Miracle on Ice, in which the US ice hockey team beat the Soviet Union. The...
, in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Playing career
Bahr, a native of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, began playing soccer at the age of 11 and joined the Philadelphia Nationals
Philadelphia Nationals
Philadelphia Passon was an American soccer club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was a member of the professional American Soccer League.Before the 1941/42 season, the club became the Philadelphia Nationals...
of the professional 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...
as an amateur player. His talent was obvious and he was paid a great compliment during the Scottish national team
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...
tour of the U.S. in 1949 by former Scottish international Tommy Muirhead
Tommy Muirhead
Thomas "Tommy" Allan Muirhead was a Scottish footballer who played for Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland.-Hibs and Rangers:...
, who wrote in the Glasgow Daily Mail, "Bahr is good enough to play for any First Division team in the United Kingdom."
After participating in the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
, Bahr turned professional and helped his club win ASL titles in 1950, 1951, 1953, and 1955. He then switched to the Uhrik Truckers
Uhrik Truckers
Philadelphia German-American was an American soccer club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was an inaugural member of the professional American Soccer League.Before the 1941/42 season the club became known as the Philadelphia Americans...
, another team in the Philadelphia area, and won the ASL title in 1956. However, "professional" soccer players at that time made little money and Bahr also was a high school teacher during his playing years. In the late 1960s and through the 70's Bahr was a high school Gym teacher at Frankford High School
Frankford High School
Frankford High School is a public high school in the School District of Philadelphia. It is located at Oxford Avenue and Wakeling Street in the Frankford section of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Philadelphia. He also coached the soccer team.
National team
Additionally, he was selected to the U.S. national team in 1949 and appeared in 19 games, with one goal. over his international career during a time when the team played only a few games a year. In the 1950 upset of the English team, Bahr supplied the pass that Joe GaetjensJoe Gaetjens
Joseph Edouard Gaetjens was a Haitian soccer player who played for the United States national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the 1–0 upset of England.- Early life :...
headed in for the winning goal. The entire team 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 1976.
In January 2004, Bahr and the four other living members of the 1950 World Cup Team (Frank Borghi, Harry Keough, Gino Pariani and John Souza) were recognized as Honorary All-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America at its annual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Coaching
After his retirement as a player, Bahr became a successful soccer coach, leading the Philadelphia SpartansPhiladelphia Spartans
The Philadelphia Spartans were a soccer team based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that played in the non-FIFA sanctioned National Professional Soccer League . They played their only season of existence at Temple Stadium in North Philadelphia. The team was owned by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art...
and the Philadelphia Ukrainians
Philadelphia Ukrainians
The first Philadelphia Ukrainians team was also known as the "Philadelphia Tridents" is also known as the Ukrainian Nationals team that was an American soccer club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a member of the American Soccer League...
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). He also coached the Temple
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
and Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
men's soccer teams, while simultaneously coaching the soccer team at Frankford High School, where he taught. During his 14-year tenure at Penn State, the team was selected to the NCAA Tournament 12 times. He was NSCAA Coach of the Year in 1979 and elected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame in 1995. His overall coaching record is 448 wins, 137 losses, and 70 draws.
Bahr's three sons Casey
Casey Bahr
Walter “Casey” Bahr is a U.S. soccer defender who played one season in the North American Soccer League and one in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1972 Summer Olympics.-College:...
, Chris
Chris Bahr
Chris Bahr is a former professional American football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League.-Soccer:...
, and Matt
Matt Bahr
Matthew David Bahr is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania where he excelled in both football and soccer...
, all played professional soccer in the defunct North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. Casey and Chris also played for the U.S. Olympic team, and Chris and Matt later became field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
s in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
,each earning a Super Bowl ring. Bahr's daughter Davies Ann was an All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n gymnast
Gymnast
Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics, trampolining, or rhythmic gymnastics.See gymnasium for the origin of the word gymnast from gymnastikos.-Female artistic:Australia...
. Bahr is retired and lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Boalsburg is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,578 at the 2000 census. The village claims to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. The name Boalsburg comes from...
, near Penn State, occasionally appearing as a sports commentator
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for Penn State soccer matches.
Bahr was portrayed by Wes Bentley
Wes Bentley
Wesley Cook "Wes" Bentley is an American film actor known for his role of Ricky Fitts in American Beauty.-Early life:Bentley was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of Cherie and David Bentley, who are United Methodist ministers....
in the 2005 movie The Game of Their Lives, which has been distributed in DVD under the title "Miracle Match."
Documentary
Bahr was featured in the 2009 soccer documentary A Time for ChampionsA Time for Champions
A Time for Champions is a 2009 documentary film produced by Bud Greenspan's Cappy Productions and St. Louis PBS affiliate KETC. It chronicles the St. Louis University soccer dynasty of the 1960s and 1970s. It includes interviews with 1950 US World Cup team members Frank Borghi, Harry Keough, and...
discussing the U.S. upset victory over England in the 1950 World Cup.
External links
- Lopez, Tobias, Walter Bahr remembers, February 22, 2004
- Cirino, Antonio (Tony) US Soccer Vs The World, Damon Press 1983 - ISBN 0-910641-00-5