Willy Schaller
Encyclopedia
Willy Schaller (born February 23, 1933 in Bonlanden
, Germany
) was a U.S. soccer defender
who played most of his career in the German American Soccer League. He also played on the U.S. soccer team at the 1952 Summer Olympics
. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1996
when he was in high school. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army, serving until 1955. At some point, he moved to Blau-Weiss Gottschee, playing with the team through at least 1960.
which competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics
. He was nineteen at the time. The U.S. lost its first game of the single elimination tournament to Italy. In 1959, he was with the U.S. team which won the bronze medal at the Pan American Games
.
Bonlanden
Bonlanden is a former municipality in the Esslingen district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.It was first recorded in the 12th century as Bonlandum....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was a U.S. 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....
who played most of his career in the German American Soccer League. He also played on the U.S. soccer team 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...
. 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 1996
Club career
While born in Germany, Schaller’s family moved to the United States when he was a young boy. He joined Schwaben of the German American Soccer LeagueGerman 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,...
when he was in high school. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Army, serving until 1955. At some point, he moved to Blau-Weiss Gottschee, playing with the team through at least 1960.
National teams
In 1952, he was selected to the U.S. soccer teamUnited 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 in the 1952 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Olympic football tournament signalled the arrival of the 'Golden Team'; the 'Magical Magyars': Hungary. Ferenc Puskás, the great Hungarian known as the 'Galloping Major' for his military title, said of the 1952 competition: "It was during the Olympics that our football first started to...
. He was nineteen at the time. The U.S. lost its first game of the single elimination tournament to Italy. In 1959, he was with the U.S. team which won the bronze medal at the Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
.