June 25 (1988)

In “one of the wildest days of my life,” John Hayes deflects in what proves to be the winning goal in the 114th minute to boost Busch to a 2-1 overtime victory over the San Francisco Greek Americans in the final of the U.S. Open Cup at the St. Louis Soccer Park. Hayes attends the wedding of his brother Tom at noon, then suits up that night for the game. Dan Muesenfecther, a former pro player with Denver and St. Louis in the MISL, sets up the winner after coming in earlier in the second half for the injured Gary Amlong. Muesenfechter crosses the ball from the left corner and Hayes purposely uses his chest to deflect the pass into the net. “Dan and I have been playing together so long that we always try this play once or twice a game,” says Hayes, a former indoor and outdoor professional. “All you have to do is get the ball in the area and try and deflect it. The goalie is really at your mercy then.” Busch comes back from a 1-0 deficit after the Greek Americans score in the 35th minute. Pat Olwig ties the game in the 71st minute. Busch coach Joe Olwig tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that backs Joe Koenig and Joe Filla played especially well in front of goalkeeper Jeff Robben. Many of the Busch players had formed the core of the Busch team that won consecutive U.S. Amateur Cups in 1981-82. Busch’s 1988 Open Cup title is the last of 10 U.S. Open Cup championships won by St. Louis teams.