Bob Kehoe
Encyclopedia
Robert “Bob” Kehoe is a former U.S. soccer defender
. He earned four caps as captain of the U.S. national team
in 1965. He later coached the US national team in 1972. He was also the first U.S. born coach in the North American Soccer League
. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1989.
farm system, but soon returned to soccer. When he did, he joined St. Louis Kutis
. In 1968, he played with the St. Louis Stars of the North American Soccer League
(NASL)
during 1966 FIFA World Cup
qualifying in 1965. His first game with the national team came in a 2-2 tie with Mexico
on March 7, 1965. Kehoe and his team mates then lost to Mexico five days later, defeated Honduras
on March 17 and tied them four days later. With a 1-1-2 record, the U.S. failed to qualify for the finals.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det69.html
In 1972, the U.S. Soccer Federation hired Kehoe as coach of the U.S. national team
.
In 1973, he became the head coach of Granite City North High School where he joined former team mate Ruben Mendoza
as a developer of local youth players. He remained with the school until 1983. That year, he became the head coach of the Bud Light women’s over-30 team. The Bud team went to the women’s over 30 national championship game every year from 1983 to 1988. During those years, Kehoe also served as the Director of Coaching for the Busch Soccer Club.
of Major Indoor Soccer League
from 1983-1988.
in 1989.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He earned four caps as captain of 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...
in 1965. He later coached the US national team in 1972. He was also the first U.S. born coach in 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:...
. 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 1989.
Club career
Kehoe grew up in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1947. He played on the school’s first soccer team in 1943. After high school, he spent time in the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
farm system, but soon returned to soccer. When he did, he joined St. Louis Kutis
St. Louis Kutis S.C.
St. Louis Kutis Soccer Club, better known as St. Louis Kutis, is an amateur American soccer club in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1947 as the St. Louis Raiders, the club was known as Paul Schulte during the 1948-49 season and McMahon's during the 1949-50 season. In 1953, the team was renamed...
. In 1968, he played with the St. Louis Stars 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)
National team
Kehoe earned his four caps as captain of 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...
during 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
qualifying in 1965. His first game with the national team came in a 2-2 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...
on March 7, 1965. Kehoe and his team mates then lost to Mexico five days later, defeated Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
on March 17 and tied them four days later. With a 1-1-2 record, the U.S. failed to qualify for the finals.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det69.html
Coaching
In 1969, Kehoe moved from player to coach with the St. Louis Stars. He became the first U.S.-born coach in the NASL in the 1969 and 1970 season. During his two seasons as head coach, he used rosters of predominantly U.S. born players, unlike most other coaches in the NASL.In 1972, the U.S. Soccer Federation hired Kehoe as coach of 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...
.
In 1973, he became the head coach of Granite City North High School where he joined former team mate Ruben Mendoza
Ruben Mendoza
Ruben Mendoza was an American soccer forward who was a dominant player in the St. Louis leagues during the 1950s and 1960s. He earned four caps with the U.S. national team and was a member of both the 1952 U.S. Olympic and 1956 U.S. Olympic teams.-Youth:Although he was born in St...
as a developer of local youth players. He remained with the school until 1983. That year, he became the head coach of the Bud Light women’s over-30 team. The Bud team went to the women’s over 30 national championship game every year from 1983 to 1988. During those years, Kehoe also served as the Director of Coaching for the Busch Soccer Club.
Broadcaster
In addition to coaching the Bud Women’s team and acting as the Director of Coaching for the Busch Soccer Club, Kehoe was a radio and TV commentator for the St. Louis SteamersSt. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
from 1983-1988.
Honors
Kehoe was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame on October 26, 1983, the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1989 and the National Soccer Hall of FameNational 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 1989.