July 26 (1930)

St. Louisan and future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Ralph Tracey profoundly influences the destiny of the U.S. team in the semifinals of the first World Cup. Having won their matches in three-team Group 4 by 3-0 scores over Belgium and Paraguay, the U.S. faces Argentina on July 26 in the semifinals before 72,886 fans at the new Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. The teams play on even terms in the first half. But Tracey, who had played every minute of the first two U.S. matches at center halfback, suffers what the Society for American Soccer History website calls “a severe knee injury” 10 minutes into the first half in the semifinals. With no substitutions allowed, Tracey somehow continues until halftime with Argentina ahead, 1-0, on a 21st-minute goal by Luis Monti. He does not return for the second half. The 10-man U.S. team gives up five goals and loses, 6-1. The U.S. club includes another St. Louisan and future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer, Frank Vaughn, who does not play in any of the United States’ three matches. The semifinal appearance in 1930 remains the farthest the United States has advanced in the men’s World Cup. The 1930 Cup featured only 13 teams because many nations outside of South America balked at the travel difficulties to what was then a relatively unheralded tournament.