Bill Sheppell
Encyclopedia
William "Bill or Billy" Sheppell is a former American soccer forward
who played in both the American Soccer League
and German American Soccer League
. He earned ten caps with the U.S. national team in 1949 and 1954 and was a member of the 1952 U.S. Olympic Soccer team.
as one of the top ten New Jersey high school soccer players of the 1940s-1960s.
In 1943, while still in high school, Sheppell signed with Kearny Celtic
of the American Soccer League
(ASL). He played with Celtic until the end of the 1946-1947 season. That year, Sheppell entered Seton Hall University
where he played on the school's soccer team. He was a 1948 Second Team and a 1950 First Team All American
in 1950. http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/soccer/soccer_records_book/2002/07MensAwards.pdf
As he did in high school, Sheppell played for an outside club team during the scholastic off season. In 1947, he joined the Newark German-Americans of the German American Soccer League
. He spent seven seasons with Newark, retiring from playing in 1954.
. While the U.S. won by a score of 3-2, the game is not recognized as an official international match.
Sheppell earned his first official cap with the U.S. national team on October 19, 1949 in a 4-0 loss to Scotland
. Sheppell remained with the national team as it traveled to Mexico for the 1949 North American Cup (NAC). Participation at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
was determined by the NAC, as the top two teams would qualify. The U.S. began the tournament with a 6-0 loss to Mexico
, but then tied Cuba
1-1. The team again fell to Mexico 6-2, but with a 5-2 win over Cuba, finished second and qualified for the World Cup. Sheppell was a starter in all four games. However, he was not selected for the U.S. roster at the World Cup.
In 1952, Sheppell rejoined the national team for another blowout at the hands of Scotland. This time a 6-0 loss on April 30, 1952. Another two years passed before he played an international match, but he was an integral part of the national team which played four qualification games in 1954 for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
. Two losses to Mexico knocked the U.S. out of contention for a berth in the finals, despite two subsequent victories over Haiti
. Following these four games, Sheppell never again played for the U.S.
In 1952, Sheppell was selected for the Sheppell had also been part of the U.S. team
which competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics
. That tournament used a single elimination format and the U.S. lost to Italy
in the first game.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who played in both the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
and German American Soccer League
German American Soccer League
The German American Soccer League is the previous name of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a semi-professional and amateur soccer league which was founded in 1923. The league competes primarily in the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey.-History:In 1923, five teams, S.C. New York,...
. He earned ten caps with the U.S. national team in 1949 and 1954 and was a member of the 1952 U.S. Olympic Soccer team.
Club career
Sheppell grew up in New Jersey and attended Kearny High School where he was an outstanding high school soccer player, graduating in 1944. In 1999, he was named by The Star-LedgerThe Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger is the largest circulated newspaper in the U.S. state of New Jersey and is based in Newark. It is a sister paper to The Jersey Journal of Jersey City, The Times of Trenton and the Staten Island Advance, all of which are owned by Advance Publications.The Newark Star-Ledgers daily...
as one of the top ten New Jersey high school soccer players of the 1940s-1960s.
In 1943, while still in high school, Sheppell signed with Kearny Celtic
Kearny Celtic
The Kearny Irish is an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey that was an inaugural member of the reformed American Soccer League. The club was named the Kearny Celtic beginning with the 1942/43 season.In 1944 the club won the Lewis Cup....
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL). He played with Celtic until the end of the 1946-1947 season. That year, Sheppell entered Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
where he played on the school's soccer team. He was a 1948 Second Team and a 1950 First Team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 1950. http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/soccer/soccer_records_book/2002/07MensAwards.pdf
As he did in high school, Sheppell played for an outside club team during the scholastic off season. In 1947, he joined the Newark German-Americans of the German American Soccer League
German American Soccer League
The German American Soccer League is the previous name of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, a semi-professional and amateur soccer league which was founded in 1923. The league competes primarily in the New York metropolitan area and northern New Jersey.-History:In 1923, five teams, S.C. New York,...
. He spent seven seasons with Newark, retiring from playing in 1954.
National and Olympic teams
In 1948, Sheppell joined the national team for a game with IsraelIsrael national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
. While the U.S. won by a score of 3-2, the game is not recognized as an official international match.
Sheppell earned his first official cap with the U.S. national team on October 19, 1949 in a 4-0 loss to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. Sheppell remained with the national team as it traveled to Mexico for the 1949 North American Cup (NAC). Participation at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup
The 1950 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil from 24 June to 16 July, was the fourth FIFA World Cup. It was the first World Cup since 1938, the planned 1942 and 1946 competitions having been canceled owing to World War II...
was determined by the NAC, as the top two teams would qualify. The U.S. began the tournament with a 6-0 loss to 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...
, but then tied Cuba
Cuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
1-1. The team again fell to Mexico 6-2, but with a 5-2 win over Cuba, finished second and qualified for the World Cup. Sheppell was a starter in all four games. However, he was not selected for the U.S. roster at the World Cup.
In 1952, Sheppell rejoined the national team for another blowout at the hands of Scotland. This time a 6-0 loss on April 30, 1952. Another two years passed before he played an international match, but he was an integral part of the national team which played four qualification games in 1954 for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
. Two losses to Mexico knocked the U.S. out of contention for a berth in the finals, despite two subsequent victories over 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...
. Following these four games, Sheppell never again played for the U.S.
In 1952, Sheppell was selected for the Sheppell had also been part of the U.S. team
United States at the 1952 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. 286 competitors, 245 men and 41 women, took part in 133 events in 18 sports.- Gold:*Lindy Remigino — Athletics, Men's 100 metres...
which competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
. That tournament used a single elimination format and the U.S. lost to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
in the first game.