As soccer fans turn their attention to the future of the sport in the United States, it is worth revisiting the often overlooked and sometimes tragic stories that shaped the nation's early World Cup history. From grisly injuries to a brutal murder and a vanished hero, these tales reveal a deeper and richer past than commonly appreciated.
1930 and 2006: Grisly Injuries and a Posthumous Hat-trick
Six of the 16-man USA squad who traveled to Uruguay for the first World Cup in 1930 were British, but all played their club football in the United States, reflecting the strength of the domestic league at the time. A 3-0 victory over Belgium in their opening game—which shared with France vs. Mexico the honor of being the first-ever match at a World Cup—was followed by a 3-0 win over Paraguay. In that game, Bert Patenaude scored the first World Cup hat-trick, although it was not until November 2006, 32 years after his death, that the disputed second goal was finally confirmed as his.
Substitutions were not introduced to the World Cup until 1970, meaning injuries could have a huge impact on the outcome of a match, often reducing a team to 10 men or fewer. Injuries severely afflicted the USA in their semi-final against Argentina. Goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas struggled on with a twisted knee, while midfielder Ralph Tracy missed the entire second half after fracturing his right leg. Andy Auld was temporarily blinded when physio Jack Coll dropped a bottle of chloroform while tending to the forward's split lip. Despite battling gamely, the USA conceded three late goals and lost 6-1.
1934 and 1953: Donelli's Glory and a Brutal Murder
The USA entered the 1934 tournament late and were fortunate that FIFA agreed to let them play a qualifier against Mexico in Italy shortly before the first round. The USA won 4-2 in front of 10,000 spectators in Rome, with all goals scored by Aldo "Buff" Donelli, who later became an NFL coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Rams. Mexico blamed their defeat on their 15-day journey to Italy, while the USA had crossed the Atlantic in just nine days. In the first round, the USA lost 7-1 to eventual champions Italy; if the journey seemed hardly worth it for just two games, they were at least better off than Mexico, who went straight home after their qualifying defeat.
The US team manager in Italy was Elmer Schroeder, who had also been part of the backroom staff in 1930. In 1932, he was elected as the first US-born president of the United States Football Association (now US Soccer). Although he did not seek re-election in 1934, he led the national squad at the 1936 Olympic Games and remained manager of the Philadelphia Germans until 1949. Four years later, his badly beaten body, bound with window-blind cord, was found on his bed. Although no one was ever convicted of his homicide, it is believed he was murdered by a serial killer who preyed on gay men in Philadelphia in the early 1950s.
1950 and 1964: The Disappeared Hero
The USA withdrew from a playoff against the Dutch East Indies for the 1938 World Cup but qualified for 1950. At that tournament in Brazil, they achieved perhaps their most notable result, beating England 1-0 in Belo Horizonte—one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history. The only goal was scored by Joe Gaetjens, who deflected in a shot from Walter Bahr. Gaetjens was born in Haiti and was awaiting US citizenship at the time; early US soccer history was built on a liberal immigration policy.
Gaetjens never obtained his citizenship, returning to Haiti soon after. His family were distant relations by marriage of Louis Déjoie, who lost the 1957 presidential election to François "Papa Doc" Duvalier. In 1964, when Duvalier declared himself dictator for life, most of Gaetjens's family fled the country. Gaetjens, however, had little involvement in politics and decided to stay. He was soon arrested by the Tonton Macoute, Duvalier's secret police, and never seen again. It is believed he was murdered at Fort Dimanche prison, but his body has never been found.
1989 Onwards: The Shot Heard Around the World
The modern history of the USA at the World Cup begins with Paul Caligiuri's "shot heard around the world" in Port of Spain in November 1989. His 30-yard left-foot volley secured a 1-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago and booked the USA's place at Italia 90. Qualification was seen as essential preparation for hosting the tournament in 1994, for reasons of credibility if nothing else. The USA lost all three games they played in Italy, but, with the exception of 2018, they have been at every World Cup since.
