Career
He was the long-time captain of the United States. national team and played in the 1950 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup when the United States. defeated England 1–0, in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Bahr, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began playing soccer at the age of 11 and joined the Philadelphia Nationals of the professional American Soccer League as an amateur player. His talent was obvious and he was paid a great compliment during the Scottish national team tour of the United States. in 1949 by former Scottish international Tommy Muirhead, who wrote in the Glasgow Daily Mail, "Bahr is good enough to play for any First Division team in the United Kingdom." However, "professional" soccer players at that time made little money and Bahr also was a high school teacher during his playing years.
In the late 1960s and through the 70"s Bahr was a high school Gym teacher at Frankford High School in Philadelphia.
He also coached the soccer team Additionally, he was selected to the United States. national team in 1949 and appeared in 19 games, with one goal. over his international career during a time when the team played only a few games a year.
In the 1950 upset of the English team, Bahr supplied the pass that Joe Gaetjens headed in for the winning goal. The entire team was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976.
After his retirement as a player, Bahr became a successful soccer coach, leading the Philadelphia Spartans and the Philadelphia Ukrainians of the American Soccer League (Advanced Systems Limited).
As a teacher at Frankford High School, in Philadelphia, he coached the soccer team When legendary soccer coach Pete Leaness retired from Temple University, Walt Bahr was named Temple"s new coach. From Temple, he moved to Penn State.
During his 14-year tenure at Penn State, the team was selected to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament 12 times.
His overall coaching record is 448 wins, 137 losses, and 70 draws. Bahr"s three sons Casey, Chris, and Matt, all played professional soccer in the defunct North American Soccer League.
Casey and Chris also played for the United States. Olympic team, and Chris and Matt later became field goal placekickers in the National Football League,each earning two Super Bowl rings. Bahr"s daughter Davies Ann was an All-American gymnast.
Bahr is retired and lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, near Penn State, occasionally appearing as a sports commentator for Penn State soccer matches.
Bahr was portrayed by Wes Bentley in the 2005 movie The Game of Their Lives, which has been distributed in Digital Video Disc under the title "Miracle Match.".