Background
Ryan grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he played soccer with Frankford High School.
Ryan grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he played soccer with Frankford High School.
He earned three caps, scoring one goal, with the United States. national team between 1928 and 1936. Ryan was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1958. He also played for the Lighthouse Boys Club team
He maintained his amateur status which led to his selection to the national team at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
In 1929, he signed with New York Galicia. After one season, he moved back to Lighthouse Boys Club.
Once again, he spent only one season with Lighthouse before moving to the Philadelphia German-Americans in 1931. He continued with the team until at least 1936.
In 1933, Philadelphia joined the American Soccer League (Advanced Systems Limited).
Ryan served with the Custer Division in the United States. Army from 1942-1945. Upon is return to Philadelphia, he played with the Philadelphia Nationals, leading the team to the Advanced Systems Limited Lewis Cup in 1948-1949 and 1951-1952. Ryan also played with the Pennsylvania All Stars in May 1931 against Glasgow Celtic during the Scottish team"s first North American tour.
Ryan earned his first cap on May 28, 1928 in 11-2 loss to Argentina at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Scored ten days later in a 3-3 tie with Poland in Warsaw. He did not play for the United States. again until the 1934 when he was part of the 7-1 loss to Italy.
He finished out his national team career at the 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1958, Ryan was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
He was also a member of the United States. teams at the 1928 Summer Olympics, 1936 Summer Olympics and the 1934 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup.