Full name Walter Alfred Bahr Name Walter Bahr Children Chris Bahr 1958–1963 Philadelphia Spartans | 1948–1957 United States Height 1.8 m Years Team Role Soccer player | |
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Date of birth (1927-04-01) April 1, 1927 (age 88) Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Similar People Frank Borghi, Joe Gaetjens, Harry Keough, Chris Bahr, Gino Pariani | ||
Walter bahr and harry keough remember frank borghi
Walter Alfred Bahr (born April 1, 1927) 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. 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 placekickers in the National Football League, each earning two Super Bowl rings.
Contents
- Walter bahr and harry keough remember frank borghi
- Walter bahr tribute
- Playing career
- National team
- References
Walter bahr tribute
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. 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. Professional soccer players at that time made little money, however, and Bahr also was a high school teacher during his playing years. In the late 1960s and through the 70's Bahr was a Physical Education teacher at Frankford High School in Philadelphia. He also coached the soccer team.
National team
Bahr was selected to the U.S. national team in 1949 and appeared in 19 games, with one goal. 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. Bahr was featured in the 2009 soccer documentary A Time for Champions discussing the U.S. upset victory over England in the 1950 World Cup. 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."
