Harry Keough

Harry Keough grew up in St. Louis when it was the hotbed of US soccer, playing as a youth for the St. Louis Schumachers. During World War II, while serving in the Navy, he joined the San Francisco Barbarians, and after returning to St. Louis, he joined the Paul Schulte Motors team. It was while playing with them that he was chosen for the 1950 United States’ World Cup team that famously defeated England 1-0, in one of the biggest upsets in soccer football history. Keough started all three games for the US at the 1950 World Cup and then represented the United States at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics. In 19 international appearances, he scored one goal, in a World Cup qualifier in 1957.

Keough worked for the US Postal Service during his playing career, but was later asked to coach Florissant Valley Community College. This led to the head coaching job at St. Louis University, which began in 1967, and he would lead the Billikens to five NCAA titles, in 1967, 1969-70, and 1972-73. He retired from coaching after the 1982 season with a record of 213 wins, 50 losses, and 22 ties. Keough was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. His son, Ty Keough, played for the US National Team in 1979-80, earning eight caps, and would have been on the 1980 US Olympic soccer team, if not for the US-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics.