Joe Maca
Joseph Andre Maca (September 28, 1920, Brussels, Belgium – July 13, 1982, Massapequa, New York) was an American soccer player who earned three caps as left back for the United States men's national soccer team and played in the United States' 1–0 defeat of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.[1]
Before World War II, Maca played for the Belgian Third Division team Royal Cercle Sportif La Forestoise (51) in Brussels. During the war, he served for 12 months in the Belgian Army where he played on the Army team. He also earned a medal for his role in the resistance.[1]
After the war, he moved to the United States and joined Brooklyn Hispano of the American Soccer League. He was selected to the ASL All-Star Team in 1949 and 1950.[1] His three caps for the U.S. team were all during the 1950 World Cup, where he scored one goal against Chile on a penalty kick.[2] Although he was not a U.S. citizen, he had declared his intention to gain citizenship and under the rules of the United States Soccer Football Association at the time, he was eligible to play.[2] He eventually did become a U.S. citizen in 1957.[3]
After the World Cup, he moved to Belgium and played for Royal White Star Athletic Club (47) in 1950-51 before returning to the U.S.[1]
Maca was inducted to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976 along with his 1950 U.S. teammates.[1]
References
- 1920 births
- 1982 deaths
- American soccer players
- Belgian footballers
- Belgian emigrants to the United States
- Sportspeople from Brussels
- People from Massapequa, New York
- United States men's international soccer players
- National Soccer Hall of Fame members
- 1950 FIFA World Cup players
- American Soccer League (1933–83) players
- Brooklyn Hispano players
- Belgian soldiers
- Belgian military personnel of World War II
- Belgian resistance members
