In the heart of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, before around 10,000 spectators and a fearless American journalist, the most astonishing moment in sports history unfolded.
Geoffrey Douglas, in his account, described the U.S. team as a "hodgepodge of diverse talents," winning against an English side packed with stars in the 1950 World Cup with a 1-0 victory.
A brilliant header by Joe Gaetjens late in the first half secured the famous win for the U.S., a team comprised of semi-pro players, despite the match receiving scant attention back home due to a lack of national interest in soccer.
Many American media outlets opted out of covering the game, and only Dante McSkimmins, a solitary journalist, ventured to Brazil to report on the event.
For Steve Holroyd, a U.S. soccer historian, the victory mirrored the "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics, where the U.S. defeated the powerful Soviet Union in Lake Placid.
"Besides politics, it's this...A band of brave underdogs beat the team that's considered the best in the world," Holroyd said to CNN Sports.
If the Internet had existed back then, it might have propelled soccer from an ethnic enclave into the national sports consciousness, Holroyd speculated.
However, the overwhelming majority of newspapers ignored it, and the event had no impact on the development of soccer at any level in the U.S.
Despite soccer's popularity waning in the U.S., it boasts a long history dating back to the 1920s. While other major American leagues professionalized, soccer made an attempt to professionalize as well, with the AFL leading the way.
{"name":"resource","description":"Das American Football League war eine Vereinigung professioneller Footballteams in den Vereinigten Staaten, die zwischen 1926 und 1932 aktive war. Die Liga bestand aus acht Teams aus den Städten New York City, Philadephia und Chicago und unterlag schließlich finanziellen Problemen, wodurch sie als erste professionelle Footballliga in den Vereinigten Staaten auslöscht wurde.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDie Ursachen für den Scheitern der AFL lagen in den schwierigen finanziellen Zeiten der Wall Street-Krise der 1920er Jahre und in der Aufmerksamkeit der Öffentlichkeit, die sich andernorts zu anderen Sportarten wie dem Baseball oder dem American Football richtete. Die verschwindende AFL wurde erst 1960 durch die Ausgründung der American Football League, die später Teil der NFL wurde, wiederbelebt."}
Holroyd explained that the sport fled to deeply racist enclaves after the AFL folded, and was viewed as an immigrant sport, with only immigrants eligible to participate.
"Football is largely seen as an immigrant sport, and only immigrants can play," said Holroyd. "Teams that emerged at the dawn of the second American Football League in 1933, such as the Pawtucket Wanderers and the Newark Skitters, no longer bore names resembling the neutral ones expected on these shores."
Soccer experienced a short revival during and after World War II but remains confined to limited regions of the U.S., such as St. Louis, Missouri.
As the 1950 World Cup approached, interest in the U.S.'s participation was minimal. Holroyd admitted that the U.S. football likely had only one devoted employee and a team assembled to compete against the European and South American football superpowers.
The "team of misfits" selected for the competition had never met before, and many had never played together. To qualify for the final stage, the U.S. had to defeat Mexico, Cuba, and another team in a three-team elimination round.
Mexico, a nation with a rich football tradition, emerged undefeated with four wins, while the U.S. was fortunate to squeeze by with a 5-2 victory over Cuba.
Nonetheless, the U.S. team headed to the tournament with low expectations and the belief that it was simply there for a good time.
On the other side, the British team, also debuting in the World Cup after forgoing the previous three competitions, was anticipated to dominate. With stars like Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney, and Stan Mortensen on its roster, England produced impressive performances.
The British team was taken aback and shocked when the U.S. emerged victorious, ending England's dominance in the sport.
When Douglas interviewed some U.S. players about their English counterparts, the Americans spoke of their opponents' overconfidence, even in warm-up matches.
"They thought they were the best and didn't need to play against us. They were very relaxed and joked around," Douglas said.
As the match began, England dominated the field, with U.S. goalkeeper Frank Borghi recalling the game as the best of his life.
However, the tide turned in the 37th minute when Gaetjens, a dishwasher from New York, connected with a cross from Walter Bahr, slipping the ball past the English goalkeeper.
The U.S. team quickly seized control of the game, leaving the English side in disarray and on the verge of a shocking defeat. Despite England's best efforts, Borghi made several outstanding saves, and the U.S. held onto their advantage to secure a historic win.
Though the victory was hailed as a major achievement globally, its impact faded over time in the U.S., with many players taking it in stride and moving on to other activities.
Despite the U.S. team's lack of appreciation for their accomplishment, Israel Akers, one of the goalkeepers from the 1950 team, felt pride in the achievement long after:
"No one really realized we beat England until years after the game, but it was still a great moment - something no one will ever forget."
Following the victory, the U.S. climb in the international soccer ranks proved slow, with teams like Brazil, Germany, and Uruguay maintaining a formidable presence. Yet, the 1950 World Cup win left an indelible mark on American soccer history.
In time, the U.S. managed to overcome their early setbacks and emerged as a force to be reckoned with in international football, inspiring numerous U.S. athletes to pursue their passion for the sport.
{"name":"resource","description":"Die Vereinigten Staaten sind ein zunehmend starkes Team im Fußball und haben die alternde Stars wie Landon Donovan und Clint Dempsey abgelöst. Das Team hat in der Weltmeisterschaft 2022 in Katar erreicht, wo es bis ins Halbfinale vordrang vor heute noch nicht aufgeschlossener Atmosphäre. Es führt auch die Concacaf, die Regionalverbandsmeisterschaft der CONCACAF, das Kontinentalverband für Nord-, Mittelamerika und die Karibik. Die Mannschaft steht auch immer noch unter Beobachtung und hat für die UEFA die Qualifikation für die Europameisterschaften im regulären Spielbetrieb gespielt."}
Enrichment Data:
The United States' 1950 World Cup football match victory over England, often referred to as one of the greatest upsets in sports history, occurred on June 29, 1950, during the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil. Here are the circumstances and impact of this historic match:
Circumstances
- Format and Structure: The 1950 World Cup had a unique format, featuring a round-robin final group stage after the initial group stage. This meant that the final standings were determined by points earned in the final group stage[2].
- Expectations: England was considered a strong team, playing in their first World Cup. They were expected to dominate the tournament, but they faced a surprise challenge from the United States[2].
- Match Details: The match between the United States and England was played at the Estádio Independência in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The U.S. team, led by coach Bill Jeffrey, was largely composed of amateur players, while England was a professional team with a strong reputation[2].
- Outcome: The match ended with a 1-0 victory for the United States. The winning goal was scored by Joe Gaetjens in the 38th minute, which proved to be the decisive moment in the game[2].
Impact
- Historic Upset: The U.S. victory over England is widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. It marked a significant moment in American soccer, demonstrating that the U.S. team could compete against top-tier international teams[2].
- Media and Public Reaction: The match was broadcast live on BBC Television, and it captivated audiences worldwide. The upset was covered extensively in the media, with many considering it a major surprise[3].
- Legacy: This victory has been remembered as a defining moment in American soccer history. It inspired a new generation of players and fans, contributing to the growth and popularity of soccer in the United States[1].
- Cultural Significance: The match is often referred to as the "Greatest Sports Surprise of All Time," symbolizing the underdog spirit and the potential for unexpected outcomes in sports. It continues to be celebrated as a remarkable achievement in the history of international soccer[2].
In summary, the U.S. victory over England in the 1950 World Cup was a historic upset that had significant cultural and sporting implications, marking a turning point in American soccer's international reputation.
