The American Soccer League
Picking up right where they left off at the conclusion of the 1960 season, the Ukrainian Nationals of Philadelphia continued to cut a wide swath through United States professional soccer, dominating both league and U.S. Open Cup play to earn the “double.” From the opening tap on October 2, 1960, the Ukes took firm control of the American Soccer League schedule, jumping into first place and going wire-to-wire with the lead. En route to their first-place finish, the Quaker City club went undefeated, with only two draws marring a perfect season. While doing so, the Ukes stretched their two-year ASL unbeaten string to 23 wins and 4 draws, a league record.
The Ukes dominated opponents on both sides of the ball. Herman Niss, Ricardo Mangini, and league MVP Mike Noha contributed to the club’s league-leading sixty goals scored, while goalkeer Al Didriksen anchored the ASL’s stingiest defense. Ironically, Philadelphia’s other club, Uhrik Truckers, had become the league doormats, finishing 1-12-1. Finishing just above the Truckers was Baltimore Pompei; the Baltimore club would fold by the end of the season. Due to foul weather, an inordinate amount of snow in particular, the ASL schedule stretched into the summer months. A bigger casualty of the weather was the Lewis Cup, which was postponed. The weather did cooperate enough to allow the ASL All-Stars to face off against Red Star of Belgrade on December 4, with the Yugoslavians winning handily.
Besides overwhelming the league competition, the Ukrainian Nationals also stormed their way to a second consecutive U.S. Open Cup. Manager Marion Kozeniowski’s lads continued a string of dominance dating back to October of 1959, going unmolested though the early rounds and storming their way to the Open Cup final. Against Los Angeles Scots, the Ukes drew 2-2 out west, relying on two markers from Stan Dlugosh, before returning home and trouncing L.A. 5-2 before 6,000 fans at LaSalle Stadium on June 25. Herman Niss scored a hat-trick, while Dlugosh and Carl Yakovino added one goal each.
Although Fall river worked their way to the Cup quarterfinals before losing to the German-American League’s New York S.C, 6-0, the other ASL clubs did not make a very strong showing in the Cup. For his fine work with the new Inter S.C. club, Enzo Magnozzi was awarded the league’s Coach of the Year honors.
Final League Standings, 1960-61
Before the season, Inter SC was added.
G W T L GF GA PTS
Ukrainian Nationals 14 12 2 0 60 10 26
Falcons SC 15 8 2 5 35 21 18
New York Hakoah 14 8 1 5 27 25 17
Fall River SC 16 8 1 7 27 35 17
Galicia SC 14 6 4 4 27 23 16
Inter SC 15 6 3 6 30 28 15
Newark Portuguese 16 5 2 9 30 43 14
Brooklyn Italians 14 4 3 7 17 23 11
Baltimore Pompei 6 4 1 1 26 38 9
Uhrik Truckers 14 1 1 12 18 42 3
CHAMPION: Ukrainian Nationals.
During the season, Baltimore withdrew.
Ukrainian Nationbals completed a "double" by also winning the
National Open Challenge Cup in 1961.
Leading scorers:
Herman Niss, Ukrainian Nationals 17
George Kulich, Falcons 12
Ricardo Mangini, Ukrainian Nationals 10
William Silva, Fall River SC 9
The final season goal scoring leader was Pete Millar, Inter SC.
Most Valuable Player: Miguel Noha, Ukrainian Nationals
Coach of the Year: Enzo Magnozzi, Inter SC
The International Soccer League
Once again, summertime in New York found teams from all over the world participating in the second edition of Bill Cox’ International Soccer League. Following the success of the inaugural edition, Cox broadened his reach, inviting some of the world’s up-and-coming young clubs to the competition. In a rare showing of support, the American Soccer League only scheduled one summertime exhibition, so as to avoid drawing from ISL crowds.
Along with 1960 finalists Bangu and Kilmarnock, Cox brought over a number of fine clubs. While by no means the world’s best teams, Cox did have an uncanny knack of selecting young sides on the brink of major success. Among these clubs were the Dukla Prague club, as well as Everton.
Again attempting to provide some American flavor, Cox entered another “New York Americans” side. Still a second-team English all-star squad, the Americans did include Gene Vinyei from the Ukrainian Nationals, and Alex Chantraire and Ben Zim of New York Hakoah of the American Soccer League. Most of the club’s spark was provided by its imports, however, Leeds Unites striker John McCole in particular.
In an attempt to justify the “International” in the league’s name, Cox staged a handful of games in Montreal to complement to other matches, all played in New York’s Polo Grounds. Reprsenting the Canadian city was Montreal Concordia, a respectable side that earned more ink for the fact that it carried players from five different countries than for its play. Along with eight Canadians, the team included players from Italy, England, Brazil, and El Salvador. The El Salvadoran representative was Hector Marinaro, father of the future Canadian international and indoor great.
Again, the ISL was divided into two sections, with Montreal the only team participating in both. Everton dominated the competition during the first schedule of games, played through May and June, with only a single loss to defending champion Bangu marring a perfect record. Along with top scorers Bobby Collins and Billy Bingham, Everton was represented by a young Jimmy Gabriel, future coach of the North American Soccer League’s Seattle Sounders in the 1970s. Bangu’s Walter Dos Santos was later named the tournament’s MVP for his exciting play.
Section II, played through July, found the Amercian audiences being treated to the fine play of one of the best sides ever seen on U.S. soil at the time. The Dukla Prague club dominated all comers, with only a draw against the plucky Montreal club keeping the Czechs from going a perfect 7-0-0.
The final, played in early August as a two-leg match, was anti-climactic. Dukla Prague slaughtered Everton in the fist match, as Rudolf Kucera scored three goals en route to a 7-2 rout. Also scoring for the Czechs was Josef Jelinek, who would later play with the North American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos, Rochester Lancers, and Boston Minutemen. Everton rebounded in the second match, but Dukla Prague coasted on its huge aggregate advantage, not pressing very often but still earning a convincing 2-0 win to take the Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy. The ISL averaged over 15,000 a match for the two game final.
Final League Standings, 1961
GP W T L GF GA Pts
Section I
Everton (England) 7 6 1 0 22 5 12
Bangu (Brazil) 7 4 2 1 18 8 9
New York Americans (USA) 7 4 3 0 13 18 8
Karlsruhe (West Germany) 7 3 3 1 16 17 7
Kilmarnock (Scotland) 7 2 3 2 12 13 6
Montreal Concordia (Canada) 7 2 4 1 7 11 5
Dinamo Bucharest (Romania) 7 1 3 3 8 14 5
Besiktas (Turkey) 7 1 4 2 8 19 4
Section II
Dukla Prague (Czechoslovakia) 7 6 0 1 36 6 13
Montreal Concordia (Canada) 7 3 0 4 17 10 10
Monaco (France) 7 4 3 0 18 13 8
Red Star Belgrade (Yugoslavia) 7 3 3 1 24 17 7
Espanol (Spain) 7 3 3 1 15 19 7
Rapid Vienna (Austria) 7 2 4 1 12 18 5
Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) 7 1 4 2 12 26 4
Petah Tikva (Israel) 7 0 5 2 6 31 2
EISENHOWER TROPHY CHAMPIONSHIP:
Aug. 2: Dukla Prague 7, Everton 2
Aug. 6: Dukla Prague 2, Everton 0
Dukla Prague wins on 9-2 aggregate. Combined attendance for both games: 31,627.
Games played at the Polo Grounds, New York.
Leading scorers:
Rudolf Kucera, Dukla Peague 15
Bobby Collins, Everton 8
John McCole, NY Americans 7
Reinhold Wischnowsky, Karlsruhe 6
Borivote Kostic, Red Star 6
Muhammed Mujic, Red Star 6
Frank O'Neill, Shamrock Rovers 6
Josef Jilinek (Dukla Prague) 5
Lucien Cossou (Monaco) 5
Rudolf Flogel (Rapid Vienna) 5
Humberto Gambaro (Montreal) 5
Ademir Da Guia (Bangu) 5
Senol Birol (Besiktas) 5
Billy Bingham (Everton) 5
(B)Eisenhower Trophy (MVP): Walter Dos Santos, Bangu
Exhibition Matches:
5/14/61 Karlsruhe 1, German American League Stars 2 (at Randalls Island, New York)
5/21/61 Besiktas 0, Kilmarnock (Scotland) 5 (at New Britain, CT)
5/21/61 Kilmarnock 5, Besiktas (Turkey) 0 (at New Britain, CT)
7/4/61 Red Star 8, Petah Tikva 5 (at Cleveland)
7/11/61 Petah Tikva 2, Shamrock Rovers 3 (at St. Louis, MO)
7/13/61 Petah Tikvah 3, National league stars 1 (at Toronto, ON)
7/27/61 Dukla Prague 4, Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) 3 (at Chicopee Falls, MA)
7/28/61 Espanol 5, Rapid 4 (at Chicago)
Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League
This new circuit was started by a group of businessmen who wanted to provide a more professional atmosphere for premier teams than could be provided by the semi-pro Canadian National Soccer League. The initiative for founding the circuit was provided by Peter Bosa, president of Toronto Italia, and George Gross, a sports correspondent for the Toronto Telegram. Soccer was gaining wider popularity among the growing immigrant population, and there was little available on television.This league was seen as a first step toards establishing a fully professional league to satisfy this new interest. The president of the league was legendary Hockey master Harold Ballard.
The ECPSL began its first season with defending CNSL champion Toronto Italia, and 4th place Montreal Concordia, as well as the semi-pro Hamilton Steelers and a new club, Toronto City. Toronto City, as a new club, recruited a number of established players from England, including Danny Branchflower, Johnny Haynes, Tommy Younger and the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews. Opening day was May 15, and the Hamilton Steelers beat Montreal Cantalia at Delorimer Stadium in Montreal. The other opener, at Toronto drew 16,509 fans as Italia downed City 3-2. The season itself was a very close race with all teams finishing near the .500 mark. Overall, the quality of play was good, but all of the heralded English players besides Tonny Younger had returned to England before the season was half over. The two Toronto teams averaged 6,061 in attendance, a respectable showing, better in fact than the top American League, the ASL. Peter Smethurst took top scoring honors with 16 goals. Montreal Cantalia defeated Toronto Italia 1-1, 2-1, and 3-0 in the championship series.
Final League Standings, 1961
GP W T L GF GA PTS
Toronto City 24 11 3 10 45 41 25
Montreal Cantalia 24 10 5 9 47 44 25
Hamilton Steelers 24 9 6 9 45 50 24
Toronto Italia 24 9 4 11 43 45 22
Toronto won the regular season championship based on goal average over Montreal.
Semi-finals: Montreal defeated Hamilton 4-1, 4-1.
Italia defeated City 0-0, 2-1, 4-2 (OT)
CHAMPIONSHIP: Montreal defeated Italia 1-1, 2-1, 3-0.
Leading Goalscorer: Peter Smethurst, Hamilton (16 goals)
Indoor Soccer
In gymnasiums and armories across the country, indoor soccer continued to grow as a popular supplement to the full slate of outdoor games many leagues played throughout the year. Although the American Soccer League still eschewed a full indoor schedule, many of the country’s top “minor” leagues were more than happy to fill the gap.
Following a one-year absence, Chicago’s National Soccer League staged its eleventh full indoor season at the Chicago Avenue Armory. Playing with a Major Division and a First Division, the NSL saw 18 teams participate in the indoor schedule, with ten teams in the Fist Division. The Maroons went undefeated, going 5-0-2, to earn promotion to the Major Division for 1962, while Eagles took the Major Division crown, losing only one match. Wlodz Koscieny of the Eagles tied the NSL indoor scoring record with 13 goals.
The Detroit Soccer Football League also played an indoor schedule in 1961. A new experiment for the Detroit League, the indoor games were well-received by fans, but not in sufficient numbers to make the indoor session a financial success. The powerful St. Andrews Scots club withstood a challenge from Carpathia Kickers to win the indoor crown.
Amateur Leagues & Cups
German-American Soccer League
Major Division GASL final standings, 1960-61
GP G D L Pts
Hungaria 21 17 2 2 36
Giuliana 23 16 2 5 34
BW Gottschee 27 14 6 7 34
Ukrainian 25 14 3 8 31
SC New York 25 14 3 8 31
SC Hota 26 13 5 8 31
German-Hungarians 26 11 4 11 26
Greek-Americans 25 10 3 12 22
DSC Brooklyn 26 8 5 13 21
SC Eintracht 26 5 4 17 16
Champion: New York Hungaria
The Chicago All-Stars went 4 for 5, defeating the Wisconsin All-Stars 4-0, the Michigan-Ontario Stars 6-2 (in Detroit), and 7-1 (in Windsor), and losing to St. Louis Kutis 3-2. They also lost to the North German All-Stars. Schwaben defeated the visiting Nurnberg (Germany) Amateur Club 2-1. In a major attraction in Chicago, Sheffield United defeated Saarbrucken 2-0. The indoor season was resumed with the Maroons taking the Indoor title by beating the Slovaks 2-0 in their final season game, breaking a 13 pt deadlock in the standings.
Major Division NSL final standings, 1961
GP G D L Pts
Chicago Maroons 13 10 1 2 21
Eagles 14 8 0 6 16
Schwaben 13 5 4 4 14
Hansa 14 6 2 6 14
Lions 14 4 6 4 14
Fortuna 13 4 5 4 13
Slovaks 14 4 4 6 12
Wanderers 14 3 0 11 6
Once again, St. Stephens and Los Angeles Kickers went head to head, racing until the final weekend where St. Stephens again won the title. Unlike last year, Magyars and Hollywood slipped behind in the later weeks. St. Stephens then went on to play in the Pacific International Championship series, tying for third. Armenians, having fended off relegation last season was not so lucky this time around as they were headed off to the Reserve Division after a last place finish.
The Southern California Association, buoyed by the success of the GLASL in one of its finest seasons began serious moves to expand into neighboring communities such as San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Riverside. The GLASL’s home stadium, Rancho Cienega Stadium was given a major renovation by the city following the end of the season.
Major Division GLASL final standings, 1960-61
GP G D L Pts
St. Stephens 16 12 1 3 25
Los Angeles Kickers 16 10 3 3 23
Magyars 16 7 4 5 18
Hollywood SC 16 7 3 6 17
JAAC Jadran 16 5 4 7 14
Polonia 16 5 2 9 12
L.A. United Scots 16 4 4 8 12
Victoria 16 5 2 9 12
Armenian 16 5 1 10 11
Armenians were relegated.
Other Leagues:
California State Association Senior Challenge Cup: Los Angeles Kickers
San Francisco League: San Francisco Scots (9-3-2-21)
Central California League: Belo Eagles (11-3-2-25)
Florida State Soccer League: (Formed 1961); Tampa Internationals (7-0-1014)
Indiana-Ohio-Kentucky League: Cincinnati Schwaben (1st half, 7-1-2-15); Dayton Edelweiss (2nd half, 7-1-0-15). National Soccer League of Washington: Central Valet SC Pen-Del-Mar League: (inactive this season)
Boston & District League:Newton defeated Mount Carmel 3-1 in title game; Curley Cup: Boston Italia defeated Mount Carmel 4-2
Greater New Bedford City League (Mass.: Portuguese Sports (11-0-1-22)
Interstate League (Mass.): Orioles of Tiverton, RI. (14-0-2-28); John M. Arruda Cup: Orioles
Peel Challenge Cup (Illinois State Cup): Kickers defeated Maroons 3-1
Hines Cup (Chicago): Fortuna defeated Rams 2-0
Michigan-Ontario International League: League founded 1961. Began inaugural season with 10 Detroit and 2 Windsor teams.
Detroit League: St. Andrew Scots 1st, Bavarians 2nd in exciting league race; Sport Guild Competition: St. Andrews Scots
Detroit Indoor League: St. Andrews Scots (6-0-1-12); Cup Final: Carpathia Kickers defeated St. Andrew Scots 2-1.
Michigan State Cup: Detroit Carpathia Kickers defeated White Stags 2-1
Southern New York Association Cup: Palermo
Knickerbocker Cup (New York): Pfaelzer; Association Cup: Blau Weiss Gotschee
National Soccer League of New York: Gjoa won over Brooklyn Scots following tie in regular season standings.
Italian-American League (NY): Mola SC
Italian American Soccer League (New Jersey): Azzurri Pozzallesi (17-2-2-36)
Long Island Soccer League: Glen Cove (Major Div.); Indoor competition: Glen Cove.; Jose Cup: Glen Cove; Edwards Cup: Huntington
New Jersey State Cup: Hoboken
Utah State Association League: Alemannia (A-League); Daynes Cup: Salt Lake Athletic; Spring Cup: Vikings.
Wisconsin Challenge Cup: Milwaukee Serbian defeated Verdi Soccer Club 3-1
Governor Kohler Trophy (Wisconsin): Verdi Soccer Club defeated Sheboygan Soccer Club 4-1
Wisconsin League: Brewers (6-1-2-13- Spring)
The US National Team
Almost inactive this year, the US National team played but a single game, a 2-0 loss to Colombia in a friendly on February 5, at Bogota.
U. S. Open Cup
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals of the ASL repeated as champions, winning the two-leg final from Los Angeles Scots, a team that featured the same stars as the previous year’s losing finalist, Al Zerhusen. Two goals by Zerhusen helped the California team to gain a 2-2 tie in the first leg in Los Angeles on June 11. In the second leg, in Philadelphia on June 25, he scored two more, but three goals by Herman Niss led the Ukrainian Nationals to a 5-2 victory and the cup. The tournament had started with 113 teams.
This year, Tottenham Hotspur became the first team to win the league-cup “double” in England in the 20th century. The Uke Nats’ cup victory gave them an American double, as they had won the ASL title a few months before.
In the quarterfinals, the Ukrainian Nationals eliminated the same team they had at that stage two years before, St. Andrews of Detroit, by 6-0. In the semifinals, they edged New York Sport Club, 1-0 and 0-0. Los Angeles Scots took their semifinal, 3-2, from Chicago Eagles, after winning a two-leg quarterfinal from San Francisco Scots, 1-0 and 3-3. The other quarterfinals were New York Sport Club 6, Fall River SC 0, and Chicago Eagles 4, St. Louis St. Ambrose 3.
Pacific Coast International Championship
Inspired by the International Soccer League of the East coast and midwest, a more modest competition, the Pacific Coast International Championship, was organized in Los Angeles on Memorial Day weekend with four teams representing three nations competing for the President Kennedy Trophy. St. Stephens, champion of the Greater Los Angeles League, San francio Scots, champions of the San Francisco league, Westminster Royals of Vancouver, Canada and the Mexico National “B” team competed in a four-game knockout competition. Mexico was actually an all-star squad, since the league was still in season and defending champs were committed to the remaining schedule.
In the first round, Mexico defeated St. Stephens 3-1 and Westminster defeated the Scots 3-0. The Scots and St. Stephens played to a 1-1 draw for 3rd place while Mexico defeated Westminster 3-0 in the final.
International Tours
Baden Amateur All-Stars, Germany: June 17, 1961 – July 2, 1962. Results: 5 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss.
Roster: Wolfgang Alker, Manfred Habitzrenther, Kurt Hildenbrandt, Karl-Heinz Hoffman, Wolfgang Hofig, Bruno Horn, Hirst Knuzmann, Adolf Lutt, Sebastian Marth, Manfred Orians, Hartmut Schafer, Lothar Schmidt, Karl Schottle, Waldemar Stober, Richard Straub, Rolf Teichman. Trainer: Burkhard Pape.
6/17/61 Baden Amateurs 2, German American League Stars 3 (at new York City) 6/18/61 Baden Amateurs 12, Philadelphia Stars 1 (at Philadelphia) 6/22/61 Baden Amateurs 3, New Jersey Stars 0 (at New Jersey) 6/25/61 Baden Amateurs 9, Southern New York State Stars 0 (at New York City) 6/29/61 Baden Amateurs 4, New York Sports Club 1 (at New York City) 7/2/61 Baden Amateurs 7, Liederkranz Trenton 1 (at new Jersey)
VfB Stuttgart, Germany: 5/20/61 – 6/4/61. Results: 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses.
Roster: Rolf Blessing, Rolf Geiger, Oskar Harti, Theo Hoffman, Dieter Holler, Erich Retter, Gunter Sawitzki, Gunter Seibold, Gerhard Strohmaier, Werner Walter, Lothar Weise. Trainer: Kurt Baluses.
5/20/61 Stuttgart Kickers 5, Pittsburgh Indians (at Pittsburgh) 5/21/61 Stuttgart Kickers 8, Cleveland Stars 1 (at Cleveland) 5/28/61 Stuttgart Kickers 8, Milwaukee Stars 3 (at Milwaukee) 5/30/61 Stuttgart Kickers 12, Chicago Stars 2 (at Chicago) 6/2/61 Stuttgart Kickers 13, Detroit Stars 2 (at Detroit) 6/4/61 Stuttgart Kickers 1, Philadelphia Ukrainians 0 (at Philadelphia)
Third Lanark, Scotland: 5/23/61 – 6/11/61. 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.
Roster: William Cunningham, Matthew Gray, Jim Goodfellow, Alex Hartley, Dave Hilley, William Lewis, Jim McAnally, George McCallum, Bob McCool, John McCormack, Findlay McGillvary, Ian McKinley, Allan McLeod, Dan McPartland, John Robertson, Jim Reilly. Manager: George Young.
5/17/61 Third Lanark 4, Birmingham City 1 (at Polo grounds, NYC) 5/21/61 Third Lanark 2, Ukrainian Nationals 1 (at Philadelphia) 5/24/61 Third Lanark 3, Fall River 0 (at Fall River, MA) 5/27/61 Third Lanark 2, Birmingham City 3 (at Toronto) 5/30/61 Third Lanark 3, CYC All-Stars 0 (at St. Louis, MO) 6/3/61 Third Lanark 1, Birmingham City 1 (at Vancouver, BC) 6/4/61 Third Lanark 9, Seattle All-Stars 0 (at Seattle) 6/10/61 Third Lanark 9, Ontario All-Stars 2 (at Youngstown, OH) 6/11/61 Third Lanark 8, Chicago All-Stars 2 (at Chicago)
German-American League Junior All-Stars to West Germany. August 4, 1961 – August 30, 1961. Results: 4 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses.
Roster: Gunther Haug, Erich Roth, Siggi Stritzl, Herman Windischman (Gotschee). Frank Heeg, (Brooklyn SC), Rory Finn, Bob Leuffen, Ewald PPollisch, John Vocila (Erintracht), Dennis Dempsey, Richard Winklhardt (German-Hungarian), Ernest Schuster (Kolping), Crew Holt, Phil Solomita (Kollsman), Bob feger (Minerva). Manager: Bob Feger Sr.
8/4/60 Jr. Stars 1, Pirmassens 2 (at Pirmassens) 8/11/60 Jr. Stars 4, Union Bockingen 0 (at Hellbronn) 8/13/60 Jr. Stars 4, TSV Winnenden 0 (at Winnenden) 8/17/60 Jr. Stars 1, Stuttgart Kickers 3 (at Stuttgart) 8/20/60 Jr. Stars 5, VFR 1 (at Limborg) 8/27/60 Jr. Stars 3, Eintracht Frankfurt 4 (at Frankfurt) 8/30/60 Jr. Stars 5, Niederzeuzheim 0 (at Niederzeuzheim)
Schwaben of Chicago to Germany: June 6, 1961 – June 23, 1961. Results: 0 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses.
Roster: Jim Benedek, Leo DeFort, Raimond Eichhof, Rudi Getzinger, Armin Hohmann, Walter Leonartowicz, Helmut Michel, Walter Ronge, Herbert Rothe, Norberth Rothe, Addle Rotter, Manfred Schmidt, Karl Speiser, Herbert Teichert, Wolfgang Wostle, Jack Ruschelnski. Manager: Frank Kutsch.
6/6/61 Schwaben 1, Pro-Bonn 2nd Division 1 (at Bonn) 6/7/61 Schwaben 1, City All-Stars (at Remscheid) 6/10/61 Schwaben 1, Amateur Champions, 1st Division 5 (Paterborn) 6/13/61 Schwaben 1, Bayern Hof. 1st Division 9 (at Bayern Hof.) 6/16/61 Schwaben 0, League All-Stars 2 (at Landshut) 6/18/61 Schwaben 2, Straubling 2nd Division 2 (at Staubing) 6/22/61 Schwaben 2, 1st Division Amateurs 3 (at Nurmberg)
Holland SC (New York) to Holland: No details available
The College Game
The major upset this year was the dethroning of St. Louis by West chester in the 1961 NCAA Championship game, 2-0, before 6,500 fans at the St. Louis Public Schools Stadium. This was the first time St. Louis had been defeated on their home pitch and their first ever shutout. The upset was treated as a major event, indicating the growth of the college game as a major factor in the promotion of soccer.
In the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, Bridgeport defeated New York University 1-0, West Chester defeated Maryland 4-2, Rutgers defeated Brockport State 3-1, St. Louis defeated San Francisco 1-0. The semifinals saw West Chester defeat Bridgeport 2-0, and St. Louis defeat Rutgers 6-1. West Chester upset St. Louis 2-0 in the Championship game.
In 1961, the National Junior College Athletic Association, which has supervised national sports programs among junior colleges, inaugurated their Invitational Soccer Tournament. The first tournament was won by Dean Junior College.
Collegiate All-Americans, 1961 G - Andre Houtkruyer, CCNY RF - Melmut Poje, Brooklyn LF - Gerald Li, San Francisco State RH - Neil Fagen, Navy CH - Reiner Kemeling, Michigan State LH - Harry Shirk, East Stroudberg OR - Alvord Rutgerford, Williams IR - Magid Kria, Washington CF - Donald Williams, West Chester IL - Robert Malone, St. Louis OL - Kun Choo, California Conference Champions: California Intercollegiate Soccer Conference: San Francisco Community College New England Intercollegiate Soccer League: Williams Ivy League: Harvard Metropolitan Intercollegiate Soccer Conference: Brooklyn Atlantic Coast Conference: Maryland New York State Athletic Conference: Brockport Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate League: Air Force Midwestern Conference: St. Louis Ohio Collegiate Soccer Conference: Akron Mason-Dixon Conference: Washington College Southern California Soccer Association: UCLA Middle Atlantic States Athletic Conference: Drexel Tech NAIA Championship: Howard 3, Newark Engineering 2 National Junior College Athletic Association Championship: Dean Junior College 4, Orange County Community College 2
Other Action
Kennedy Cup: Held in Los Angeles. Winner: Mexican Selects
May 28, 1961 - Mexico Selects 2: Los Angeles St. Stephens 1 May 28, 1961 - Westminster Royals 3: San Francisco 0 May 30, 1961 - Los Angeles St. Stephens 1: San Francisco 1 (3rd place) May 30, 1961 - Mexico Selects 3: Westminster Royals 0 (Final)
1961 National Amateur Cup Final: St. Louis Kutis defeated the Hartford Italian-American Stars in a two-leg series, 11-3 (July 15) and 3-3 (July 23). The field started with 140 teams.
National Junior Cup: Hakoah, San Francisco
National Soccer Hall of Fame: In 1961, Matt Boxer and William Hennings were inducted into the Hall of Fame.