Description
In 1950, most Americans had only a passing familiarity with the game of football, even though it was the world's most popular sport, and few athletes in the United States played the game with any particular degree of expertise.
However, when an invitation was extended to the United States to participate in the World Cup tournament in Brazil -- the international soccer championship held every four years -- Bill Jeffrey was determined that America participate.
In less than two weeks, Jeffrey assembled a team comprised mostly of players from St. Louis (where soccer had developed a small but loyal following) and the East Coast (where the game gained a foothold on college campuses), with immigrants from Haiti, Portugal, and Scotland filling out the ranks.
As players from across the globe congregated for the World Cup, one team rose from obscurity to claim the biggest upset in World Cup history. This team of underdog athletes would go on to play in front of millions of enthralled football fans, who cheered them on to glory.
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