St. Louis Simpkins-Ford
Encyclopedia
St. Louis Simpkins-Ford was a U.S. amateur soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri
from 1947 to 1956. It won three league championships and the 1948 and 1950 U.S. Open Cups
, and lost in the finals of the 1954 National Amateur Cup. Five members of the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
came from Simpkins.
, Carrenti Cleaners, changed sponsorship to the Joe Simpkins Ford Auto dealership. Renamed St. Louis Simpkins-Ford, the team entered the new St. Louis Major League in 1948. Under their new sponsorship, the team revamped its roster, bringing in several top St. Louis players. Five of them, Robert Annis
, Gino Pariani
, Charlie Colombo
, Frank Borghi
and Frank Wallace
, were on the U.S. team which competed at the 1950 World Cup.
winning the title with a 3-2 victory over the professional New York Brookhattan of the American Soccer League
(ASL).http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1948.html
.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1949.html
. While most Open Cups have been decided in a single game, this year the organizers opted for a home and away series. On April 22, 1950, Simpkins defeated Fall River Ponta Delgada 2-0. The second leg, held on May 7, 1950, ended in a 1-1 tie with Simpkins taking the title on aggregate. It was this year that Simpkins contributed five of its players to the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup
. In that tournament, the U.S. went 1-2, but its victory was the greatest upset of World Cup history as the U.S. defeated heavy favorites England
.
in the standings.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1951.html
3-1. Despite the addition of a post-season, the St. Louis Major League folded at the end of the season when their stadium was sold. Simpkins and Kutis moved to the Municipal League, essentially a second division league, for the 1954 season.
only to fall to Pittsburgh Beadling
7-6 on aggregate. While Simpkins had just joined the Municipal League, mismanagement by the league’s front office convinced the team to leave the league and join with several other ex-Municipal League teams to form a competing league, known as the Khoury League as it was formed by George Khoury.
was selected as the league MVP. Simpkins also went to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup
before falling to Los Angeles Danes.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
from 1947 to 1956. It won three league championships and the 1948 and 1950 U.S. Open Cups
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
, and lost in the finals of the 1954 National Amateur Cup. Five members of the U.S. team 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...
came from Simpkins.
Origin
In 1947, an amateur soccer team in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Carrenti Cleaners, changed sponsorship to the Joe Simpkins Ford Auto dealership. Renamed St. Louis Simpkins-Ford, the team entered the new St. Louis Major League in 1948. Under their new sponsorship, the team revamped its roster, bringing in several top St. Louis players. Five of them, Robert Annis
Robert Annis
Robert “Bob” Joseph Annis was an American soccer defender. He was a member of both the 1948 United States Olympic soccer team and the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
, Gino Pariani
Gino Pariani
Virginio “Gino” Peter Pariani was an American soccer striker. He earned 5 caps and scored 1 goal for the United States men's national soccer team, and played on the 1950 FIFA World Cup team, including the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic...
, Charlie Colombo
Charlie Colombo
Charles Martin Colombo was an American soccer player who earned 11 caps as center half for the United States men's national soccer team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.Born and raised in The Hill area of St. Louis, Missouri, Colombo played professionally for St...
, Frank Borghi
Frank Borghi
Frank Borghi is a former American soccer player who earned nine caps at goalkeeper for the United States national team and played in the U.S. team's 1-0 victory over the hugely favored English in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Athletic career:Borghi started his sports career as a professional baseball...
and Frank Wallace
Frank Wallace (soccer)
Frank Valicenti, aka Frank "Pee Wee" Wallace, was an American international soccer player who played as forward. He earned 7 caps and scored 3 goals for the United States men's national soccer team, and played in the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup...
, were on the U.S. team which competed at the 1950 World Cup.
1947-1948
Despite its outstanding roster, Simpkins struggled in its first season in the St. Louis Major League. The League featured only four teams, De Andreis, St. Louis Raiders, Steamfitters and Simpkins. Simpkins finished third with eleven points and a 4-5-3 record. While it struggled in league play, it dominated the U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
winning the title with a 3-2 victory over the professional New York Brookhattan 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).http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1948.html
1948-1949
In 1949, Simpkins improved on its finish the previous season when it ended in second place. This year the team placed three players on the national team at the 1949 NAFC Championship1949 NAFC Championship
Mexico: Raúl Córdoba, Felipe Zetter, Carlos Laviada, José Antonio Roca, Mario Ochoa, Héctor Ortíz, Antonio Flores, Luis Luna, Horacio Casarín, Luis "Pirata" de la Fuente, Carlos Septién...
.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1949.html
1949-1950
In 1950, Simpkins took both the league title and the U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
. While most Open Cups have been decided in a single game, this year the organizers opted for a home and away series. On April 22, 1950, Simpkins defeated Fall River Ponta Delgada 2-0. The second leg, held on May 7, 1950, ended in a 1-1 tie with Simpkins taking the title on aggregate. It was this year that Simpkins contributed five of its players to the U.S. team 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...
. In that tournament, the U.S. went 1-2, but its victory was the greatest upset of World Cup history as the U.S. defeated heavy favorites 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...
.
1950-1951
Simpkins success of 1949-1950 did not continue into the 1950-1951 season. While the team began strong, it ended up second behind Zenthoefer FursZenthoefer Furs
Zenthoefer Furs were an amateur U.S. soccer club which played in St. Louis, Missouri during the late 1940s and early 1950s.They had played as a junior squad named Schumachers in the 1947-48 season where they fell short of national honors when they lost in the final round of the National Junior Cup...
in the standings.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1951.html
1952-1953
While Simpkins was beginning to fade, finishing third in the league, it won the St. Louis Major League’s first post season round-robin by defeating KutisSt. 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...
3-1. Despite the addition of a post-season, the St. Louis Major League folded at the end of the season when their stadium was sold. Simpkins and Kutis moved to the Municipal League, essentially a second division league, for the 1954 season.
1954
As a lower division league, the Municipal League fielded several more teams, divided into a North and South Division, than the old St. Louis Major League. Simpkins showed its strength by taking the South Division. Simpkins also went to the finals of the National Amateur CupNational Amateur Cup
The National Amateur Cup is an American soccer competition open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation...
only to fall to Pittsburgh Beadling
Pittsburgh Beadling
Pittsburgh Beadling is an amateur American soccer team founded in 1898 in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. It won the 1954 National Amateur Cup.-History:Founded in 1898, Pittsburgh Beadling was formed by immigrant miners from Europe...
7-6 on aggregate. While Simpkins had just joined the Municipal League, mismanagement by the league’s front office convinced the team to leave the league and join with several other ex-Municipal League teams to form a competing league, known as the Khoury League as it was formed by George Khoury.
1955
Simpkins won the first year of the Khoury League with a perfect 13-0-0 record. Frank BorghiFrank Borghi
Frank Borghi is a former American soccer player who earned nine caps at goalkeeper for the United States national team and played in the U.S. team's 1-0 victory over the hugely favored English in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Athletic career:Borghi started his sports career as a professional baseball...
was selected as the league MVP. Simpkins also went to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
before falling to Los Angeles Danes.
Record
| Year | Record | League | Amateur Cup | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947-1948 | 4-5-3 | 3rd | Champion | |
| 1948-1949 | 10-6-6 | 2d | Withdrew | |
| 1949-1950 | Champion | Champion | ||
| 1950-1951 | 10-9-4 | 2d | ||
| 1951-1952 | 12-6-4 | 2d | ||
| 1952-1953 | 6-8-2 | 3rd | ||
| 1954 | 11-0-1 | 1st – South Division | Final | |
| 1955 | 13-0-0 | Champion | Semifinals | |
| 1956 | Champion |
Notable players
- Robert AnnisRobert AnnisRobert “Bob” Joseph Annis was an American soccer defender. He was a member of both the 1948 United States Olympic soccer team and the U.S. team at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....
- Frank BorghiFrank BorghiFrank Borghi is a former American soccer player who earned nine caps at goalkeeper for the United States national team and played in the U.S. team's 1-0 victory over the hugely favored English in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.-Athletic career:Borghi started his sports career as a professional baseball...
- Charlie ColomboCharlie ColomboCharles Martin Colombo was an American soccer player who earned 11 caps as center half for the United States men's national soccer team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.Born and raised in The Hill area of St. Louis, Missouri, Colombo played professionally for St...
- Gino ParianiGino ParianiVirginio “Gino” Peter Pariani was an American soccer striker. He earned 5 caps and scored 1 goal for the United States men's national soccer team, and played on the 1950 FIFA World Cup team, including the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic...
- Frank WallaceFrank Wallace (soccer)Frank Valicenti, aka Frank "Pee Wee" Wallace, was an American international soccer player who played as forward. He earned 7 caps and scored 3 goals for the United States men's national soccer team, and played in the U.S. team's historic 1–0 victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup...