John Souza

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn Benevides•Souza (Sousa-)
Used nameJohn•Souza
Nick/petnamesClarkie
Born12 July 1920 in Fall River, Massachusetts (USA)
Died11 March 2012 in Dover, Pennsylvania (USA)
AffiliationsPonta Delgada SC, Fall River (USA) / New York German-Hungarian SC, New York (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

John Souza played for the United States in football at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics, but may be best known as a member of the 1950 US World Cup team that upset England 1-0. He was considered the most talented ball handler and playmaker on that team, by consensus of the other players. Nicknamed Clarkie because his handsome good looks and wavy black hair made him resemble Clark Gable, he was born as John Sousa, but used the name Souza throughout his life. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to immigrants from the Azores. During World War II he served in the US Navy in the South Pacific, working as a Morse code operator on a supply ship. He was inducted into the US Soccer Federation Hall of Fame in 1976.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Football (Football) USA John Souza
Football, Men (Olympic) United States =9
1952 Summer Olympics Football (Football) USA John Souza
Football, Men (Olympic) United States =17