May 25 (1983)

Team America is less than four minutes from upsetting the Soviet Union’s Dynamo Minsk when the Soviets are awarded a controversial penalty kick that results in the tying goal in a 2-2 deadlock at Busch Stadium. Team America is a developmental club in the North American Soccer League intended to prepare the nation’s best players to represent the United States in men’s international soccer. Playing before an announced crowd of 30,490, Team America opens the scoring in the 13th minute, thanks to the all-St. Louis connection of Perry Van Der Beck, Greg Villa and John Hayes (pictured earlier in his career). The 6-1, 200-pound Villa goes up with the Soviets’ goalkeeper for Van Der Beck’s corner kick. The ball bounces off them to Hayes, who rams the ball into the net. Ludus Rumbutis ties the match in the 30th minute, but Chico Borja puts the Americans back in the lead in the 47th minute. With time running out, Rudy Glenn tackles Oleg Alexeenko as Alexeenko’s shot goes wide of the net. The American referees call a foul on Glenn in the penalty area, and Victor Sokol converts the penalty kick with 3:14 left in the match. St. Louis Steamers defender Tony Bellinger is hurriedly added to the lineup because of injuries to defenders Alan Merrick and Boris Bandov. Bellinger plays the entire match against Dynamo Minsk. Team America, based in Washington, D.C., will be a failed experiment. A number of the nation’s top players refused to leave their current NASL clubs to try out for Team America, and the club will compile a 10-20 record in NASL competition. The team folds after the season.