Youth Bocwinski, born in Argentina to immigrant Polish parents, living in Argentina until he was sixteen when he emigrated to the United States with his family. They arrived in February 1953 and settled in
Kenosha, Wisconsin. Bocwinski immediately began playing soccer with local teams, first Polonia S.C. and then Syrena S.C., both located in
Hammond, Indiana.
Senior In 1955, he joined Polonia S.C. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was drafted into the
U.S. Army in 1959, serving his time in Germany where he was the captain of the U.S. Armed Forces soccer team. In 1961, he was released from the Army. He moved to
Chicago, Illinois, where he joined the
A.A.C. Eagles of the
National Soccer League of Chicago. Two years later, he rejoined Milwaukee Polonia.
U.S. Olympic team In 1970, he was selected for the
U.S. Olympic soccer team as it began qualifications for the
1972 Summer Olympics. In 1971, the team played in the
Pan American Games. The U.S. placed second in its first round group, but at the bottom of the standings in the final group. Despite this setback, the team went on to qualify for the Olympic tournament. Bocwinski played the first two U.S. games, a 0–0 tie with Mexico and a 3–0 loss to Malaysia. ==Coach==