Adolph Bachmeier
Encyclopedia
Adolph Bachmeier is a former U.S.-Romanian soccer player. He spent most of his playing career with various teams in Chicago
. He also earned fifteen caps with the U.S. national team
between 1959 and 1969. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 2002.
but spent his playing career in Chicago
. He played as either a defender
or defensive midfielder
for the Chicago Kickers of the National Soccer League of Chicago
beginning in the 1950s. In 1965, Bachmeier was honored as the Sepp Herberger German-American Illinois soccer player of the year. In 1966 and 1968, the Kickers won the National Amateur Cup. In 1968, he joined the Chicago Mustangs
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). Bachmeier and the Mustangs spent only a single season in the NASL. In 1969, he returned to the Kickers, winning the National Amateur Cup a third time with them in 1970.
in a crushing 8-1 loss to England
on May 28, 1959. That was the only U.S. game in 1959 and Bachmeier was not called up for either of the U.S. games in 1960. However, he returned to the lineup in 1961 for the only U.S. game that year, a loss to Colombia
. Once again, Bachmeier had a multi-year lay off from the national team. His next appearance came in a March 7, 1965 tie with Mexico
. He earned two more caps that year, but the U.S. team was inactive in 1966 and 1967. In 1968, Bachmeier finally became a regular, and team captain, on the national team as he earned eight of his caps that year. The U.S. entered the qualification rounds for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
that year. He finished his national team career with two more caps in 1969, both loses to Haiti
. Those losses put the U.S. out of contention for the World Cup.
In addition to his games with the senior U.S. team, Bachmeier was also a member of the 1963 Pan American team
which went 0-4 at those games. In 1964, he was also part of the U.S. team which attempted, but failed, to qualify for the 1964 Summer Olympics
.
He was inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame in 1984, the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 2002 and the USASA Hall of Fame in 2007.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He also earned fifteen caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
between 1959 and 1969. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 2002.
Professional career
Bachmeier was born in RomaniaRomania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
but spent his playing career in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He played as either a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or defensive midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for the Chicago Kickers of the National Soccer League of Chicago
National Soccer League of Chicago
The National Soccer League of Chicago, formed by the merger of the Chicago Soccer League and International Soccer Football League of Chicago in 1928, is a semi-professional U.S...
beginning in the 1950s. In 1965, Bachmeier was honored as the Sepp Herberger German-American Illinois soccer player of the year. In 1966 and 1968, the Kickers won the National Amateur Cup. In 1968, he joined the Chicago Mustangs
Chicago Mustangs
The Chicago Mustangs were an American professional soccer team based out of Chicago, Illinois that was a charter member of the United Soccer Association in 1967. The league was made up of teams imported whole from foreign leagues. The Chicago club was actually Cagliari Calcio from Italy...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL). Bachmeier and the Mustangs spent only a single season in the NASL. In 1969, he returned to the Kickers, winning the National Amateur Cup a third time with them in 1970.
National team
Bachmeier earned his first caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in a crushing 8-1 loss to England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
on May 28, 1959. That was the only U.S. game in 1959 and Bachmeier was not called up for either of the U.S. games in 1960. However, he returned to the lineup in 1961 for the only U.S. game that year, a loss to Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
. Once again, Bachmeier had a multi-year lay off from the national team. His next appearance came in a March 7, 1965 tie with Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
. He earned two more caps that year, but the U.S. team was inactive in 1966 and 1967. In 1968, Bachmeier finally became a regular, and team captain, on the national team as he earned eight of his caps that year. The U.S. entered the qualification rounds for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
that year. He finished his national team career with two more caps in 1969, both loses to Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
. Those losses put the U.S. out of contention for the World Cup.
In addition to his games with the senior U.S. team, Bachmeier was also a member of the 1963 Pan American team
Football at the 1963 Pan American Games
The fourth edition of the football tournament at the Pan American Games was held in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 20 to May 4, 1963. Five teams did compete in a round-robin competition, with Argentina being the defending champions...
which went 0-4 at those games. In 1964, he was also part of the U.S. team which attempted, but failed, to qualify for the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
.
He was inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame in 1984, the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 2002 and the USASA Hall of Fame in 2007.