Walter Bahr

Walter Alfred Bahr (born April 1, 1927) is an American former soccer player, considered one of the greatest ever in his country. [ [http://www.soccerhall.org/famers/walter_bahr.htm Walter Bahr in the National Soccer Hall of Fame] ] 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 one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Playing career

Bahr, a native of Philadelphia, 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.

National team

Additionally, he was selected to the U.S. national team in 1949 and appeared in 19 games 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 Gaetjens 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-Americas by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America at its annual convention in Charlotte, N.C. Bahr remains active with the NSCAA as a member of its "Red Aprons," a collection of living legends in soccer coaching who assist attendees at the annual NSCAA Convention.

Coaching

After his retirement as a player, Bahr became a successful soccer coached the Philadelphia Spartans 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 placekickers in the National Football League. Bahr's daughter Davies Ann was an All-American gymnast. Bahr is retired and lives in State College, 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".

References

External links

* [http://www.soccerhall.org/famers/walter_bahr.htm Walter Bahr in the National Soccer Hall of Fame]
*Lopez, Tobias, [http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/469509.html Walter Bahr remembers] , February 22, 2004

Persondata
NAME=Bahr, Walter Alfred
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American soccer player and coach
DATE OF BIRTH=April 1, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=