Stefan Szefer
Encyclopedia
Stefan Szefer (born May 8, 1942 in Poland
) is a former Polish American
soccer defender
. He earned six caps during his career, three with Poland
and three with the United States
.
of the North American Soccer League
. The Mustangs folded at the end of the season. He then moved to Dutch club MVV Maastricht
for two seasons, scoring two goals as a left back.
In 1975, he signed with the expansion Chicago Sting
of the NASL. Szefer spent four seasons with the Sting, scoring six goals, but did not play during the 1976 season.
from 1966 to 1967. He also played for Poland in the 1968 European Championship.
on August 5. Five days later, he played in a 4-0 loss to Poland. On August 12, he played his last game with the U.S., a 1-0 win over Poland. He was replaced by Jerry Panek
in the 60th minute.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
) is a former Polish American
Polish American
A Polish American , is a citizen of the United States of Polish descent. There are an estimated 10 million Polish Americans, representing about 3.2% of the population of the United States...
soccer 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....
. He earned six caps during his career, three with Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
and three with the United States
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...
.
Europe
Most sources for Szefer’s early career are in Polish. In 1964, he was with Śląsk Wrocław. He then played for ŁKS Łódź from 1966 to 1968.United States/Netherlands
In 1968, Szefer moved to the Chicago MustangsChicago 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:...
. The Mustangs folded at the end of the season. He then moved to Dutch club MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht
MVV Maastricht is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Maastricht, founded on April 2, 1902...
for two seasons, scoring two goals as a left back.
In 1975, he signed with the expansion Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
of the NASL. Szefer spent four seasons with the Sting, scoring six goals, but did not play during the 1976 season.
Poland
Szefer played three games for the PolandPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
from 1966 to 1967. He also played for Poland in the 1968 European Championship.
United States
In 1973, Szefer played for the U.S. under the name Steve Shafer. The first game was a 2-0 win over CanadaCanada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
on August 5. Five days later, he played in a 4-0 loss to Poland. On August 12, he played his last game with the U.S., a 1-0 win over Poland. He was replaced by Jerry Panek
Jerry Panek
Jerry Panek is a retired Polish-American soccer midfielder who earned three caps with the U.S. national team in 1973. He currently coaches youth soccer in Wisconsin.-Professional:...
in the 60th minute.