Mud, Blood, and Studs by James Brown

Author:James Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

A Second-Generation American International

FOLLOWING SEVERAL strong seasons at multiple clubs after his departure from Greenport United, 21-year-old George was further recognised for his achievements on the field with his selection to the US national team squad for a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico on 7 April 1957. The blue-eyed 158lb lad, who had been kicking a ball around since he was two years old in Troon, told the Greenwich Times prior to leaving for Mexico that the chance to represent the United States ‘will be my greatest thrill’.

After arriving at the airport in Mexico City, the US team met supporters who travelled across the border to attend the game. They also encountered the press on the tarmac as they disembarked from the plane. Celebrity radio announcer Escapato met with the Americans along with members of the Mexican Soccer Federation. They stayed at the Del Prado Hotel, one of the most beautiful and most expensive hotels in Mexico.

Once they were settled in and had grabbed a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant, George, Walter Bahr and Gene Grabowski ditched O’Toole, their chaperone, and headed out to check out the Mexico City nightlife. The young lads mingled with the locals, who seemed to know very little English. ‘Two drinks, please!’ Not too long after one in the morning the gang returned to the comforts of their beds and it was lights out by quarter past. The next day, it was rise and shine by 8.30am, as they headed down to grab a nice breakfast and read the local sports newspapers to see pictures of themselves on the front cover.

Then it was off to the stadium, where the pitch was in perfect condition. Over 80,000 people were expected to attend. The team had the honour of meeting the recently retired Mexican football star Horacio Casarín, who took time to meet and greet and shake hands with all who asked. After a workout and some sightseeing, George ate filet mignon steak with his room-mate Gene Grabowski before settling in just before the 11pm curfew.

When they woke the next morning, a perfect day awaited in Mexico City. After the opening ceremony and national anthems, the match got under way at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Mexico quickly took the score to 3-0 by half-time. Altitude played a big part in the lack of stamina that the US team exhibited – after making a hard run up the field, the Americans could not catch their breath for at least five minutes.

Altitude was not the only reason for the mismatch between the two sides. The Mexican team had been training together for months, and their unity and anticipation showed on the pitch. Though the US had a few excellent chances, the end result was a 6-0 rout. Mexico went on to become the North American representatives at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, while the Americans would have to wait another three decades before they returned to the sport’s biggest tournament.

Though the Americans played three more matches in regional qualifying through July 1957, George was left out of the squad.

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