May 24 (1964)

The St. Louis Soccer League All-Stars jump to a 2-0 lead over West German giant Meidericher SV Duisburg, but the powerful visitors come back to win the international friendly, 5-3, at Washington University’s Francis Field. Guenther Reinholdt and Freddie Vasquez put St. Louis ahead 2-0 after just 17 minutes. The visitors, who had finished second in the 1963-64 Bundesliga season, the first for the new German first-division league, regain control quickly and lead 3-2 at halftime. Heinz Versteeg and Ludwig Nolden finish the night with two goals each. Future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Bill Looby scores the final goal for St. Louis. The local all-stars rely on a fast pace to offset the skill of the Germans. But the Germans’ precise short passing game, coupled with hot, muggy temperatures on tall grass at Francis Field, wear out the St. Louis players. The Germans are coached by Rudi Gutendorf, who will return to St. Louis three years later as the manager of the new St. Louis Stars in the National Professional Soccer League.