July 6 (1957)

Ruben Mendoza and Jim Murphy score for Kutis, representing the United States, in a 3-2 loss to Canada in a North American Zone World Cup qualifier at Public Schools Stadium. A crowd estimated at 1,500 sees Canada bolt to a 3-0 first-half lead. Mendoza puts Kutis on the board in the 43rdminute, and Murphy brings Kutis within a goal by scoring late in the game. The game is the last of two in which Kutis of St. Louis represents the United States in 1957 World Cup qualifying. The U.S. Soccer Football Association (today’s U.S. Soccer Federation) replaced the regular U.S. national team with Kutis after the national team opened World Cup zone qualifying with 6-0 and 7-2 losses to Mexico in April. With only one team to advance from the zone and the U.S. all but eliminated, the USSF disbanded the national team and designated Kutis, which had won the U.S. Amateur and Open Cups in 1957, to represent the United States in its last two zone matches, both against Canada. Canada defeated Kutis, 5-1, in Toronto on June 22. Future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Harry Keough scored Kutis’ goal on a penalty kick.