The American Soccer League
The 30th season of the ASL saw the addition of Newark Ukrainian Sitch, a team that would make waves during the next few seasons. Additionally, Elizabeth’s Falcons S.C. changed their name to Falcons-Warsaw. Ironically, just as the ISL was demonstrating that there might be a market for big-time professional soccer, the American Soccer League was further marginalizing itself by adopting blatantly ethnic nicknames. This lack of farsightedness by the league would prove costly down the road. Anthony (Tony) Uhrik was re-elected to his fifth season as league president with Kurt Lamm (in his 10th season as New York Hakoah’s coach) first vice President. New Brunswick and Boston Italia applied for league membership but failed to meet league requirements, while Galicia-Honduras requested a 1 year leave of absence to get their house in order (They failed, and never returned.) The series of inter-league games with the German American league was dropped this season, but the two leagues continued to play exhibitions, and again held the eastern Seaboard Professional Championship, with the Ukrainian Nationals defeating the GAL’s New York Hungaria 8-3.
On the pitch, Philadelphia Ukrainians continued their dominance, winning their third straight title, an then going on to complete a “double” by winning the National Open Challenge Cup. Inter S.C.’s Pete Millar won his second straight MVP award, equaling John O’Connell’s feat of 14 years earlier. This season was curtailed somewhat by a major series of storms. Charley McGill of Fall River S.C. won his second Coach of the Year award; unfortunately, the long-running Fall River club folded at the end of the season. Pete Millar became the first ASL player to win the MVP award two years in a row, was rewarded by landing a stint with the famed Boca Juniors of Argentina.
One of the major exhibitions sponsored by the ASL was an exhibition between Wolverhampton Wanderers and FC Schalke 04 on May 26 at Randalls Island, NY. Indoor soccer returned to New York City area after a long absence, in a three day tournament with 32 German-American and ASL teams. Hungarian-Americans defeated Greek-Americans for the championship.
Final League Standings, 1962-63
Before the season, Newark Ukrainian Sitch was added.
Inter-Brooklyn became Inter SC. Hakoah became the Hakoah-Americans.
Falcons became Falcons-Warsaw.
G W T L GF GA PTS
Ukrainian Nationals 14 10 1 3 51 13 21
Inter SC 13 9 2 2 30 22 20
Fall River SC 12 6 3 3 21 13 15
Newark Portuguese 13 6 3 4 29 28 15
Newark Ukrainian Sitch 14 6 2 6 29 28 14
New York Hakoah-Americans 12 4 3 5 33 20 11
Falcons-Warsaw 14 2 1 11 23 40 5
Uhrik Truckers 14 1 1 12 13 74 3
CHAMPION: Ukrainian Nationals.
LEWIS CUP: Ukrainian Nationals defeated Newark Ukrainian Stitch 1-1, 1-0.
After the season, Newark Portuguese and Fall River withdrew.
Leading Scorer:
Ismael Ferreyra, Ukrainian Nationals 14
Mike Noha, Ukrainian Nationals 13
Pete Millar, Inter SC 12
Walter Czychowich, Ukrainian Nationals 11
William Silva, Fall River SC 8
Most Valuable Player: Pete Millar, Inter SC
Coach of the Year: Charley McGill, Fall River SC
Eastern Professional Championship: Ukrainian Nationals defeated New York Hungaria 8-3.
The International Soccer League
The International Soccer League continued to be a success, attracting 288,743 fans over its 42 game schedule. Although average attendance dipped, total figures were up due to the addition of more games. Section I winners West Ham United of England defeated Section II champs Gornik Zabrze of Poland for the title; Dukla Prague continued its ownership of the American Challenge Cup by edging West Ham in a two game series. This was a year for upsets, with the heavily favored teams falling again and again, but producing some of the most exciting games and unpredictable races in the league’s short history. ISL total attendance through four seasons was 856,743. Ironically, the division champions both sat at the bottom of the standings after their first two games. West ham United sat at the bottom of their division until the arrival of halfback Bobby Moore and center-forward Johnny Byrne, who had just completed a stint with the national team. The season also saw a five goal performance by Ferenc Bene, an 18-year old forward for Ujpest of Hungary, during a 6-1 rout of Wiener SC of Austria. This performance tied the all-time single game ISL scoring record set by Dukla’s Rodolf Kucera in 1961. Some controversy ensued in the league championship as two Gornick goals were called back, prompting noisy demonstrations by Polish fans in a game ultimately won by West Ham, 1-0. Films of the game substantiated the referee’s calls.
Final League Standings, 1963
GP W T L GF GA Pts
Section I
West Ham United (England) 6 3 2 1 14 10 8
Mantova (Italy) 6 3 1 2 15 10 7
Kilmarnock (Scotland) 6 2 3 1 17 13 7
SC Recife (Brazil) 6 2 2 2 13 13 6
Preussen Munster (West Germany) 6 3 0 3 13 16 6
Deportivo Oro (Mexico) 6 1 2 3 13 18 4
Valenciennes (France) 6 2 0 4 8 13 4
Section II
Gornik Zabrze (Poland) 6 4 1 1 17 6 9
Dinamo Zagreb (Yugoslavia) 6 3 1 2 14 11 7
Wiener AC (Austria) 6 3 1 2 12 13 7
Ujpest Dosza (Hungary) 6 3 0 3 10 10 7
Belenenses (Portugal) 6 1 3 2 7 8 5
Real Valladolid (Spain) 6 2 1 3 9 15 5
Halsingborg (Sweden) 6 1 1 4 10 14 3
CHAMPIONSHIP
West Ham United 1, Gornik Zabrze 1
West Ham United 1, Gornik Zabrze 0
(West Ham United wins by 2-1 aggregate)
AMERICAN CHALLENGE CUP
Dukla Prague (Czechoslovakia) 1, West Ham United 0
Dukla Prague 1, West Ham United 1
(Dukla Prague wins by 2-1 aggregate)
Leading Scorer: Geoff Hurst, West Ham United, 8
Eisenhower Trophy (MVP): Bobby Moore, West Ham United.
Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League, 1963
Montreal Cantalia resumed activity, and were joined by the Ukes, but both teams brought up the rear. Toronto Italia completely dominated the regular season and playoffs, going undefeated their first 21 games. Italia averaged 6,100 fans per game as they cruised to their titles, but Toronto City crashed, winning just three games this season. Despite operating expenses of $100,000, Italia made a small profit.
Final League Standings, 1963
Before the season, Montreal Ukes were added. Montreal Cantalia
Returned. Toronto Roma became Inter-Roma.
GP W T L GF GA PTS
Toronto Italia 25 19 5 1 86 29 43
Hamilton Steelers 25 12 9 4 58 30 28
Toronto Inter-Roma 25 10 9 6 45 43 26
Montreal Cantalia 25 11 10 4 34 55 26
Montreal Ukes 25 5 5 15 43 83 15
Toronto City 25 3 16 6 36 62 12
Semi-Finals: Italia defeated Roma 1-1, 3-1, 7-2, 2-0
Montreal defeated Hamilton 0-0, 3-1, 0-2, 1-0
CHAMPIONSHIP: Italia defeated Montreal 1-0, 4-0
After the season Montreal Cantalia and Montreal Ukes withdrew.
Leading scorer: Jorgen Petersen, Toronto Italia (23 goals)
Amateur Leagues & Cups
German-American Soccer League (NY)
Blau-Weiss Gottschee won a close race in the Major Division beating SC Hota by a mere three points. Close behind were Greek-American and New York Ukrainians. Hoboken won the Premier Division and Stanford won the League Division.
GASL Major Division Final Standings
GP W D L Pt
Blau-Weiss Gottschee 18 12 4 2 28
SC Hota 18 11 3 4 25
Greek-American 18 10 4 4 24
New York Ukrainian 18 9 2 7 20
Giuliana FC 18 6 6 6 18
New York Hungaria 18 5 5 7 15
SC New York 18 5 5 8 16
German-Hungarian 18 3 8 7 14
SC Elizabeth 18 5 3 10 13
DSC Brooklyn 18 1 4 12 6
National Soccer League of Chicago
Maroons ran away with the league title, easily outdistancing Schwaben and Lions who fought until the end for second place. Kickers and Eagles trailed.
NSL Major Division Final Standings
GP W L T Pt
Maroons 14 12 1 1 25
Schwaben 14 9 1 4 19
Lions 14 6 5 3 17
Kickers 14 5 5 4 15
Eagles 14 5 3 6 15
Hansa 14 4 3 7 11
Liths 14 3 2 9 8
Fortuna 14 1 2 11 4
California State Challenge Cup: Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria A.C. defeated San Francisco Greek-Americans 7-1. The Cup (competed for continuously since 1904) was the oldest cup competition in the country. Junior Cup: Atlante
Greater Los Angeles League: Kickers-Victoria A.C. (13-3-1-27)
California League: Atlas Club (14-4-4-32); Steelink Cup: El Salto Club; Executive Cup: El Salto Club
Pacific League: Pico Rivera United (13-0-1-26)
San Francisco League: Juventus (16-0-2-32)
Colorado League: Kickers defeated Hungaria 4-0. Kickers won both halves of the regular season.
Rocky Mountain Championship: Kickers (Denver) defeated Alemania (Salt Lake City) 7-1
Connecticut State Cup: New Britain falcons defeated Bridgeport Ukrainians in 2 games.
National Soccer League of Connecticut: Hartford Balnea SC (14-1-1-29)
Florida State League: Two of the three teams sat out the season. The lone remaining team satisfied itself by traveling up and down both coasts playing teams from freight-carrying ships in an exhibition trek covering over 1,000 miles.
Miami Soccer League: Sons of Italy
Hawaii Association: Honolulu International
Peel Challenge Cup (Illinois State): Eagles defeated Maroons 4-1.
National Soccer League of Chicago: Maroons (12-1-1-25); Indoor League: Green-White (undefeated)
Rowland State Open Championship (Maryland): British Lions; Stewart Cup: (Not available)
Manning Memorial Cup (New York): Blue Star; Knickerbocker Cup: Imbriania; Association Cup: German-Hungarian
German-American League (New York): Blau-Weiss Gottschee (12-4-2)
Italian-American League (NY): Istria FC
Long Island League: Patchogue; Theo. Jospe Memorial Trophy: Patchogue; Edwards Cup: Lindenhurst
New England Soccer League: Newston S.C. (8-3-1-19) Interstate Soccer League (MA-RI): Fall River Sports (13-0-0-26)
Greater New Bedford League: Mount Carmel CYO (9-4-2-22)
Pacific Coast International Championship (Kennedy Cup): Held in los Angeles. Mexico defeated Vancouver Canadians 3-0 in the final. Los Angeles Kickers gained 3rd place with a 4-1 win over last place Teutonia of San Francisco.
Detroit League: Saturnia Club lead Ann Arbor by 1 point late in the season
The US National Team
The team played no full internationals this year. They did not participate in the 1963 CONCACAF Championship. In the Pan-American games, the US went 0 for 4 in pool play and did not advance. Results: Brazil 10, USA 0; Argentina 8, USA 1; Chile 10, USA 2; Uruguay 2, USA 0. The Pan-American medals went to Brazil (Gold), Argentina (Silver), and Chile (Bronze).
The major activity this year was the Olympic qualifications, held in University stadium in mexico City. The American team consisted primarily of players from the St. Louis area, (Fred Vasquez, Pat McBride, Larry Housmann, Carl Gentile, Bill Eppy), and Chicago (Adolf Bachmeier, Wolfgang Wortl, Rudy Getzinger, Leo DeFort). Others included Leon Oliver from Washington, Werner Fricker and Bob Watson from Philadelphia, and Bob Gansler from Milwaukee).
The US was surpsingly beaten in its first game, losing 1-0 to Surinam. In the second game against Panama, the US, after falling behind 0-1 in the 1st half, rallied to tie from a Gentile goal. Panama pulled ahead 20-1, and Wortl evened the score. Finally, two more goals by Gentile game the US the game, 4-2. In the 3rd and deciding game, the US faced Mexico. Mexico scored witin three minutes, but the US defense rallied and held form. Carl Gentile equalized in the 55th, but Mexico scored soon after, and the game settled to a stalemate and an eventual 2-1 Mexican victory. The US would not go to Japan in 1964.
U. S. Open Cup
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals collected the cup for the third time in four years on June 2 with a 1-0 win over Los Angeles Armenians of Montebello, Calif., in Philadelphia. Mike Noha, who had scored five goals in the 1960 final, got the only goal of the game this time. The referee was Ray Kraft, who had been manager of Baltimore Pompei when it reached the final in 1958.
The Uke Nats had eliminated Pittsburgh Harmarville, 5-0, in the semifinals and New York Giuliana, 0-1 and 5-0, in the eastern semifinals on May 12 and 26. Los Angeles Armenians got past San Francisco Greek-Americans, 2-1 and 1-1, in the quarterfinals and St. Louis Kutis, yet again a one-goal semifinal loser, by 2-1 in the western semifinals on May 19. The other quarterfinals were Giuliana 1, Fall River SC 0, and Kutis 1, Chicago Hansa 0.
International Tours
FC Schalke 04 West Germany: May 19 1963 – May 28 1963. Results: 2 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses.
Roster: Karl-Heinz Beckmann, Hans Guergen Becher, Manfred Berz, Waldemar Gerhardt, Egon Horst, Werner Ipta, Guenter Karnhorf, Berni Nlodt, Willi Koslowski, Manfred Kreuz, Reinhard Libuda, Hans Nowak, Friedel Rausch, Klau Schonz, Willy Schulz. Coach: George Gawliczek.
5/19/63 Schalke 3, German-American League Stars 1 (at New York City) 5/22/63 Schalke 2, Wilverhampton Wanderers 0 (at Rochester) 5/26/63 Schalke 3, Rochester Select 4 (at New York City) 5/28/63 Schalke 1, New York Hungaria 2 (at New York City)
Wolverhampton Wanderers, England: May 23 1963 – June 22 1963. Results: 9 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses.
Roster: Peter Bradford, Chris Crowe, Fred Davies, Ted Farmer, Malcolm Findlaysen, J. Galley, Fred Goodwin, Gerry Harris, John Harris, John Kirkham, K. Knighton, F. Knowles, Jimmy Murray, George Showell, Barry Stobart, Terry Wharton, David Woodfield. Manager: Stan Cullis, Coach: H. Shorthouse.
5/23/63 Wolverhampton 5, Cantalia 1 (at Montreal) 5/24/63 Wolverhampton 4, Schalke 04 2 (at New York City) 5/30/63 Wolverhampton 3, Ukrainian Nationals 2 (at Philadelphia) 6/2/63 Wolverhampton 5, American League Stars 0 (at New York City) 6/5/63 Wolverhampton 6, CYO All-Stars 0 (at St. Louis) 6/7/63 Wolverhampton 3, Mexican All-Stars (at San Francisco) 6/15/63 Wolverhampton 2, Bangu of Brazil 2 (at Vancouver) 6/17/63 Wolverhampton 2, victoria All-Stars 1 (at Victoria, BC) 6/19/63 Wolverhampton 4, Vancouver All-Stars 1 (at Vancouver, BC) 6/22/63 Wolverhampton 4, Bangu of Brazil 1 (at Toronto)
Platting SC, West Germany: June 16 1963 – July 2 1963. Results: 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses.
6/16/63 Plattling 2, Karlsruhe FV 1 (at Philadelphia) 6/19/63 Plattling 4, SC Elizabeth 4 (at Union City, NJ) 6/23/63 Plattling 1, Buffalo 2 (at Buffalo) 6/26/63 Plattling 3, Carpathia Kickers 1 (at Detroit) 6/30/63 Plattling 1, Milwaukee Bavarian 2 (at Milwaukee) 7/2/63 Plattling 1, SC Hota 2 (at New York City)
AGF, Denmark: March 10 1963 – April 2 1963. Results: 8 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses.
Roster: John Amidsen, Jorn Bjerregaard, Kaj Christensen, Henning Enokson, Bjarke Gundley, John jensen, John Lee Jensen, Kjeld Jensen, Peter jaer, Bent Wolmer, Hans Chr. Nielsen, Arne Serensen, Evald Sorensen, Ove Sorensen. Manager: Aage Rou Jensen. Coach: Gena Toldi.
3/19/63 AGF 1, Greater Los Angeles Stars 0 (at Los Angeles) 3/12/63 AGF 3, Tijuana All-Stars (at Tijuana) 3/17/63 AGF 4, San Francisco United 0 (at San Francisco) 3/19/63 AGF 2, Greater Los Angeles All-Stars 1 (at Los Angeles) 3/23/63 AGF 5, U. S. Pan-American Squad 1 (at St. Louis) 3/24/63 AGF 3, U. S. Pan-Amerian Squad 2 (at Chicago) 3/31/63 AGF 11, U.S. Pan-American Squad 1 (at Detroit) 4/2/63 AGF 3, New York Hungaria 1 (at New York City)
Dukla Prague, Czechoslovakia: No details available
3rd Lanark, Scotland: No details available
Hota S.C. to Germany and Denmark: August 1 1963 – August 11 1963. Results: 0 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses.
8/1/63 Hota 1, Schalke 04 5 (at Gelsenkirchen) 8/4/63 Hota 1, Reutlingen 2 (at Reutlingen) 8/7/63 Hota 2, ASV Bergsdorf 2 (at Hamburg) 8/11/63 Hota 2, AGF Aarhus 7 (at Aarhus, Denmark)
Newark SC to Germany: July 21 1963 – August 11 1963. results: 3 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses.
Roster: Brandt, Hammermueller, Heindl, Kiefer, Kulischenko, Kusznier, Lucenko, Malanchuk, Morrison, Mueller, Weimer, Wnzler. Manager: William G. Heile
7/21/63 Newark 2, Windheim 1 (at Bavaria) 7/22/63 Newark 1, Ludwigstadt 5 (at Bavaria) 7/28/63 Newark 3, County All-Stars 7 (at Ihringen) 8/3/63 Newark 0, Broetzingen 4 (at Baden) 8/9/63 Newark 1, Hangsfeld 0 (at Baden) 8/11/63 Newark 2, Boenningheim 0 (at Wurtemberg)
Minerva SC (NY) to Germany: August 10 1963 – August 24 1963. Results: 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses.
Roster: Dieter Brose, Gerhard Clause, Herbert Fischer, Walter Graetz, Hans Hartmann, Gunther Haug, Fritz Herberger (Capt.), George Lindhuber, Roland Stollsteiner, Dieter Timm, Helmut Weber, Paul Weiselbaumer, Henry Windischman.
Minerva 0, VfB Neustadt 3 Minerva 4, F.C. Unterrodach 4 Minerva 3, Offenthal 1 Minerva 3, F.C. Wiesloch 1 Minerva 1, F.C. Wiesenthal 2
New York Hakoah Americans to Bermuda: December 26 1962 – January 1, 1963. results: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.
Roster: Chyzowych, Clauss, Daar, Decker, Djordjevic, Falk, Gallagher, Hanzel, Horseling, Junke, Juerger, Miller, Sieb, Waugh, Wiggins, Wolanow. Coach: Kurt Lamm. Manager: Milt Miller.
12/26 62 Hakoah-Americans 4, Westend Rovers 1 (at Somerset) 12/28/62 Hakoah-Americans 1, Pembroke 1 (at Hamilton) 12/29/62 Hakoah-Americans 1, Bermuda FA 2 (at Hamilton) 12/30/62 Hakoah-Americans 6, Mermuda FA 1 (at Somerset) 1/1/63 Hakoah-Americans 4, Bermuda FA 2 (at Somerset)
Denver Kickers to Germany: September 5, 1963 – September 15, 1963. Results: 3 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses.
9/5/63 Kickers 2, Schwarz-Weiss 4 (at Oberhausen) 9/7/63 Kickers 5, Eintracht 3 (at Norhorn) 9/8/63 Kickers 0, F. C. O. S. 2 (at Bramsche) 9/11/63 Kickers 1, Spienerstein 4 (at Dusseldorf) 9/14/63 Kickers 3, S. G. Spendlingen 1 (at Spendlingen) 9/15/63 Kickers 9, S. V. Queck 1 (at Queck)
Ukrainian Nationals to Bermuda: No details available
New York Hungaria to Mexico: No details available
The College Game
The NCAA Tournament expanded to 16 teams this year. The second round was dominated by perennial favorites. Army defeated Brown 3-1, Navy defeated West Chester 2-0, St. Louis defeated San Francisco 3-2, and Maryland defeated Bridgeport, 5-3. The battle of the military was decided in the semifinals with Navy defeating Army 4-0, while St. Louis rolled with a 7-3 thrashing of Maryland, 5-3. St. Louis repeated as champion, defeating Navy 3-0.
Conference Champions: California Intercollegiate Soccer Conference: San Francisco New England Intercollegiate Soccer League: Harvard Ivy League: Brown, Harvard (Co-Champs) Metropolitan Intercollegiate Soccer Conference: Adelphi Atlantic Coast Conference: Maryland New York State Athletic Conference: Cortland Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate League: Colorado University Midwestern Conference: Michigan State Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association: Akron Mason-Dixon Conference: Baltimore, Lynchburg (Co-Champs) Southern California Soccer Association: UCLA Middle Atlantic States Athletic Conference: Elizabethtown 1963 All-American Team: G - Roger Curylo, Bridgeport RF - Thomas Hennessey, St. Louis LF - Helmut Poje, Brooklyn RH - Michael Lonergan, Farleigh-Dickonson CH - Anthony Martelli, Hartwick LH - Myron Hus, Navy OR - Christian Ohiri, Harvard IR - Walter Schmotokocha, Pratt Institute CF - Winson Alexis, Howard IL - Al Hershey, Elizabethtown OL - Keith Van Winkle, Middlebury NAIA Championship: Earlham and Castleton State were declared co-champions. NJCAA Championship: Trenton Junior College 4, Mitchell College 3
Other Action
Kennedy Cup:: Held in Los Angeles. Winner: Mexican Selects
May 26, 1963 - Vancouver Canadians 3: San Francisco 0 May 26, 1963 - Mexican Selects 2: Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria 0 May 27, 1963 - Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria 4: San Francisco 0 (3rd place) May 27, 1963 - Mexican Selects 3: Vancouver Canadians 0 (Final)
National Amateur Cup: Rochester Italian American defeated St. Louis St. Ambrose 1-0 on June 30 1963.
National Junior Cup: St. Louis Kutis
Pan-American Games: The U.S. finished in 4th and last place, going 0-4. Their results: Brazil 10, USA 0; Argentina 8, USA 1; Chile 10, USA 2; Uruguay 2, USA 0. Brazil won gold, Argentina won silver and Chile won bronze.
CONCACAF Nations Cup: The U.S. did not participate. Costa Rica won the find round, with El Salvador second.
CONCACAF Champions Cup: New York Hungarian defeated Oro of Mexico 3-2, 2-2 and 5-4. In the second round, they fell to Guadalajara of Mexico 0-0, 0-2 and 0-2. Racing Club (Haiti) defeated Guadalajara (Mexico) in the final, but score is not available.
National Soccer Hall of Fame:In 1963, Harry Kraus, Rudy Kunther, Dimitrios Niotis, and Daniel Zampini were inducted into the Hall of Fame.