UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; June 15, 2006 - The United States soccer team failed to knock off the favored Czech Republic in its opening game of the 2006 World Cup, but back in 1950 the American squad pulled off what remains one of the greatest upsets in World Cup and sporting history, and a former Penn State coach played a pivotal role. Walter Bahr, regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all-time, supplied the assist on Joe Gaetjens goal that gave the United States a 1-0 win over the heavily favored team from England. After a professional playing career and a coaching job at Temple, Bahr took the reins of the Penn State men's soccer program and led the Nittany Lions to the NCAA tournament 12 times in 14 years, winning 185 games from 1974 to 1987. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame. His sons Matt and Chris were both four-year letterwinners in soccer at Penn State in addition to serving as placekickers for the Nittany Lion football team.

Current head coach Barry Gorman and assistant coach Marlon LeBlanc are in attendance for the opening rounds of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Click here to view Coach Gorman's World Cup photo album.