, United German Hungarians fields an adult
women's soccer team that competes in the Tri-County Women's Soccer League. The club first soccer team dates back to 1925.
History League play In 1923, the club entered the third division of the Allied League. The first team was moved into the second division of the National League in 1927. This team achieved success that year with a first-half-title and were undefeated. In 1928 GH moved into the first division of the National League, and in 1932 won the First Division Championship. In 1933 the first team entered the Pennsylvania League, considered one of the nation's strongest amateur soccer leagues. In 1945 the first team entered the first division of the Philadelphia Soccer League. In 1959 United Soccer League of Pennsylvania was formed with the German Hungarians as a founding member. In 1996 the German Hungarians transferred from the USLofPA to the Inter-County Soccer League, due to the declining size of the league that they had helped found in 1959. In intercounty the GH played in the Ultra division. The German Hungarians were Champions of this division twice, in 1996 and 1997. Sometime in the 2000s the GH returned to the United League, were the team still plays today.
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania In 1959
United Soccer League of Pennsylvania was formed with the German Hungarians as a founding member. Club member Frank Follmer became the league's first President. The first team in 1959 became the German Hungarian Major Team based on the title of the division of the league. In the first year the major team lost the championship by one point, but went on to become champions for the following six years. Since the league's 1959 founding, the German Hungarians have won the major division title 16 times, making them the league's winningest team. Over their years of involvement in the USLofPA many members of the German Hungarians have been involved in running the league. The founding club members were Follmer, John Piatka, John Weber and
Werner Fricker. Club members who became league president were Follmer, Fricker, Helmut Schurer and John Koschewitz.
National titles The German Hungarians won two national titles, The 1965 Amateur Cup, and the 1999 USASA Open Cup. The GH were
National Amateur Cup finalists 4 times in 1964, 1970, 1977, 1999, and US Open cup finalists twice (1977, 1994).
1965 US National Amateur Cup On June 27, 1965, the German Hungarians won the US
National Amateur Cup with a resounding victory over St. Ambrose of St. Louis 6–0 in Oakford. The Game attracted an enthusiastic overflow crowd of spectators, and the final result touched off a celebration which rocked the area. Over 1000 tickets were sold by the home club. The German Hungarians were dressed, in red uniforms, with black shorts, and red socks, and the away team wore white uniforms with black shorts and white socks. The match kicked off at 3:00 PM, and at half time, the German Hungarians were ahead 5–0. Although the Mound City boys were outclassed, and the issue was never in doubt after the first few minutes, the “Saints” refused to give up and they played hard and clean soccer, right down to the wire. The play on the part of both teams made it an assignment for referee Buck Davidson, of Washington, D.C., and linesman, Al Heery and Bill Rose of Philadelphia. Ted Kereczmann opened the proceedings and introduced the players as they entered between columns of the junior dancers and soccer players. Marlene Fricker, escorted by Billy Galgon and Richard Heck, presented a bouquet to the visiting captain, Jim Murphy, a member of the United States Pan-American team in 1957, and the two captains exchanged club pennants. Kereczmann then introduced dignitaries: Bob Goulker, St. Louis University soccer coach and Second Vice President of the USSFA; Gene Edwards, Chairman of the
USSFA Amateur Cup Competition; Frank Marcus, Wisconsin Cup Commissioner; Helmut Schurer, chairman, E.P. &D.; John Weber, First Vice President, E.P. &D.; Carl Schmollinger, Representative, E.P. &D.; Frank Follmer, President, United Soccer League of Penna.; John Piatka, Games Commissioner for United Soccer League of Penna.; Bill Share, President Referees Association.; Bob White, President Soccer old-timers Association;
Charlie Colombo, Coach of the Saint Ambrose Team, who played center half for the United States World Cup Team which upset England 1:0 in 1950; and Frank Kirsch, President United German Hungarians of Philadelphia. After the formalities and the national anthem, the game was quickly put on ice by Heinz Guckert, who scored in less than 20 seconds. The team put up four more in the first half, leading to early celebrations by the crowd. Guckert also got the second, Arthur Jethon (3rd & 4th),
Peter Piskei (5th) and Joe Hutfluss (6th on a penalty kick). GH's 1965 Roster" : 1. Dave Wilson, GK : 2. Al Nothum, LFB : 3. Hank McVeigh, LFB : 4. Bill Wilkinson (soccer), RHB : 5. Klaus Gehlert, CHB : 6.
Werner Fricker, LHB (c) : 7. Peter Piskei, IR : 8. Otto Brand, IL : 9. Heinz Guckert, CF : 10. Henry Wagner, IL : 11. Arthur Jethon, OL : . Joe Walls, RFB : . Joe Hutfluss, OL : . Frank Plescha, HB :
Jack Dunn, Player Coach : Henry Birkenheuer, Manager 1965 Amateur Cup Champions Photo Archive
1999 USASA Open Cup On July 17, 1999, in St. Louis Missouri, The German Hungarians won their second National Title defeating the
Milwaukee Bavarians SC 2–1, in the USASA Open Cup. GH traveled to St. Louis and played 4 games in that weekend in two different cups on July 16–18. A group of about fifty, including players, their families, club officials and fans made the journey. On Friday July 16 GH played against Los Lobos, Oklahoma, in the Open Semi-final, winning 7 to 2. Goals for the GH were scored by Cesido Colasante (6 minutes), Ray DeStephanis (15 Minutes), Pat McCallion (41 minutes), Terry Malone (43 minutes), Pat Morris (51 minutes), and Dan Murtaugh (72 minutes). The final was against the Milwaukee Bavarians SC whom they beat 2 to 1. Goals were scored by Pat Morris (8 minutes), & Ray DeStephanis (14 minutes). :::* 1999 Amateur Cup Finalist ::: GH played in the Amateur Cup Semi-Final at 5 pm on Friday July 16. They defeated the Florida McCormick Kickers with a score of 3 to 2. Goals were scored for GH by Dave Steinbach (5 minutes, 16 minutes), Ray DeStephanis (65 minutes). After winning the Open Cup on Saturday the team, played in the Amateur cup final on Sunday. As the game progressed it was obvious that both teams were pretty evenly matched. With 30 seconds left in game time GH tied to end 4 to 4. Unfortunately they lost 7 to 5 in overtime. That still left us Runner Up to the
U.S. Amateur Cup. Goals were scored by Alex Peev (34 minutes), Robert Henes (43 minutes, 93 minutes), Cesido Colasante (52 minutes), Ray DeStephanis (OT 14 minutes). GH's 1999 Roster
Colors The current colors of the UGH team are white and black. In past years, the German Hungarians' colors were red and black, usually with white accents. It is believed that these colors were chosen by Ted Kereczmann, based on his club team in Hungary. The team usually has a kit that consists of a red shirt, black shorts and red socks, and an alternate kit that consists of a white shirt, black shorts and white socks. Over the years there have been times when black socks were worn with both sets. In the early years the uniforms were hand-sewn and the shorts and socks purchased. In the late eighties, the club began wearing
Adidas uniforms.
Adult soccer achievements •
National Amateur Cup Champions: 1—1965 •
National Amateur Cup Finalists: 4—1964, 1970, 1977, 1999 •
National Amateur Cup Region I Champions: 2–1994, 1999 •
National Amateur Cup Region I Finalists: 4–1964, 1970, 1977, 1990, 1992, 1999 •
USASA Open Cup Champions: 1—https://web.archive.org/web/20121110021701/https://picasaweb.google.com/ugharchiving1/EmilyFrickerCollection#5448585922932104562 1999] •
USASA Open Cup Region I Champions: 1—1999 •
National Challenge Cup Finalists: 2–1977, 1993 •
National Challenge Cup Region I Champions: 2–1977, 1993 •
U.S. Open Cup Region I Finalists: 1—1990 • East PA State Champions Cup Winner: 1—1999 • Danube Swabian USA Cup Champions: 2—1990,2011 • United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Champions: 16—1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010 • United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Reserve Division Champions: 9–1972, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993 • United Soccer League of Pennsylvania First Division Champions: 1—1963 • Intercounty Soccer League Ultra Division Champions: 2–1996, 1997 • Intercounty Soccer League Women's Division Champions: 11–1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 • United Soccer League of Pennsylvania Women's Champions—2011, 2012, 2013 • East PA Women's Cup Champions: 11–1985, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2011 • US Women's Amateur Finalist: 1—1999
Notable players German Hungarians who have represented the United States of America on National, Olympic, Pan Am, Armed Services, and National Futsal Teams. •
Walter Bahr •
Jack Dunn (soccer) •
Alex Ely • Arthur Jethon •
Werner Fricker • Bob Watson • Otto Brand • Heinz Guckert • Adam Piskei • Bill Wilkinson (soccer) •
Casey Bahr •
Chris Bahr •
Dave MacWilliams •
Steve Rammel •
Peter Vermes • Pat Morris • Ptah Myers • David Castellanos • Jeremy Ortiz ==Dancing and culture==