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 The
National Soccer Hall of Fame staged a sensational
screening of the new film “The Game of Their Lives,”
a recounting of the
1950 World Cup
and the U.S. victory
over England, which many soccer historians consider to be
the World Cup’s greatest upset. “What a wonderful evening
and audience,” Will Lunn, Hall of Fame President/CEO said.
“The community really turned out tonight to see the film
and to meet our special guests.”
Photos from the Special Screening The Game of Their
Lives
Included in the audience
for the film were two members of the 1950 U.S. World Cup
Team,
Walter Bahr
and
John 'Clarkie' Souza.
Each played important roles on the team; each had a
significant part in the film, and each received a
thunderous standing ovation when introduced at the end of
the movie. Also in attendance was Geoffrey Douglas, the
author of the book upon which the movie is based.
 The
film was followed by a reception at the Hall of Fame where
many received autographs from the three guests. “We
extended the reception because so many people here wanted
to buy the book and have it autographed,” said Director of
Operations
Kathryn Dailey.
At one point the line snaked all the way across the Museum
floor! We are so thankful to our sponsors, Oneonta
Theatre, Hampton Inn, Northern Eagle Beverage, and Bristol
Bay Productions for supporting this event. It would not
have been such a success without their valuable
assistance.”
The 1950 U.S. World Cup team, for the most part, was a
collection of stars from the American Soccer League on the East
Coast and the St. Louis League. All were part-time players who
held a variety of jobs, from mail carrier to schoolteacher,
funeral home staff to dishwasher. Their win on a
Joe
Gaetjens’
header was totally unexpected and many newspapers, particularly
those in England, refused to publish the initial score line,
believing it to be in error. When the news finally made it to
press, the story had little impact in the United States and was
a black-bordered front-page story in the British Isles.
The
entire starting line-up was inducted into the Hall of Fame in
1976. Many historians of the game consider it to be among the
most unlikely upsets in
World
Cup history. Every subsequent
David defeats Goliath World Cup result has been measured in
comparison to this U.S. victory.
Geoffrey
Douglas, a member of the faculty at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell, wrote the book of the same title upon
which the movie is based. “This is a classic underdog story, of
ordinary men scaling to exceptional heights,” Huckel said.
“These players were among the very best in their respective
leagues and their playing ability has not been well recognized.
Players like
John 'Clarkie' Souza
and
Walter Bahr
were perennial All-Stars in the American Soccer League. Goalkeeper
Frank Borghi
and right fullback
Harry
Keough
were also regulars on any St. Louis area All Star team from the late
40's through much of the 50's. Several were offered the opportunity to
play overseas, but almost all refused, preferring the stability of
their regular jobs in the States. It is also important to note that,
typical of the great melting pot that characterizes the United States,
while the names of the players reflect many ethnic backgrounds, all
but three were born in America!"
President/CEO Will Lunn of the
National Soccer Hall of Fame said "This movie is important to the Hall
of Fame because it will reach a large U.S. audience, and for many it
will be the first time they see soccer as part of American history.
After fifty-five years, this world famous moment and these American
heroes will finally receive national recognition."
About the National Soccer Hall
of Fame and Museum
Located in
Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a 30,000
square foot, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame
tells the story of soccer in
America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new
Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks
Zone where visitors have fun kicking,
heading and playing computer trivia stations and video
soccer games. The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest
moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer
action with World Cup, MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. Unique and
rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world’s oldest soccer
ball to the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy won by the USA in
1999,
Pelé's and Mia Hamm’s uniforms, Kristine Lilly’s golden
shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship
trophy, MLS gallery - it’s all at the National Soccer Hall of
Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer
Hall of Fame complex boasts the
Kicks
Zone Store,
a research library, four world-class soccer fields and
office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an
indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future.
The mission of
the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history,
honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of
soccer in the United States.
The National
Soccer Hall of Fame is open every day of the year, except
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Admission is $9.00 for
adults, $8.00 for students, $6.50 for children 6 or older and
senior citizens. Children 5 and under are free.
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