June 6 (1971)

Teamwork takes Kutis to its seventh U.S. Amateur Cup by defeating Cleveland Inter-Italian, 4-1, in Cleveland. “We started as a team and we finished as a team,” says Kutis coach Friedel Geissert after the game. “All season long this is what I teach: teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.” Kutis practices what Geissert preaches, especially on the goal that puts the visitors ahead, 3-0. Jim Bokern passes back to John Klein, who sends the ball diagonally to Wally Werner. Werner passes to Gene Geimer, who spots Bob Matteson for a pass that Matteson puts into the net in the 64th minute. Bokern opens the scoring in the 19th minute and puts Kutis ahead, 4-0, in the 72nd minute. Geimer nets the second goal for Kutis in the 37th minute. Denny Vaninger assists on Geimer’s goal and Bokern’s second goal. The Cup is the first for Kutis since 1961. Several Kutis players will go on to compete professionally in the NASL, and Geimer, Matteson and Vaninger will play for the U.S. National Team.