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 The
National Soccer Hall of Fame announced today the hosting of a
special screening of “The Game of Their Lives” at the Oneonta
Theatre on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00pm. The movie, staring Wes
Bentley (American Beauty), Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera)
and Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) tells the
compelling story of a group of part-time soccer players from the
United States who defeated mighty England, who were the
universally recognized giants of the game, 1-0 in the
1950 World Cup
. “We have worked on numerous film projects over the years
but having a special screening is a first,” Hall of Fame
President/CEO Will Lunn said. The Hall of Fame provided
historical research, uniforms and photography from the actual
“The Game of Their Lives” for the film. “This movie is important to
the Hall of Fame because it will reach a large U.S. audience,
and for many it will be the first time they see soccer as part
of American history. After fifty-five years, this world famous
moment and these American heroes will finally receive national
recognition.”
 “The
U.S. uniforms worn in the movie are replicas of the actual
uniform we have in the museum. It’s one of our more popular
exhibits because the match is famous among fans. Four of the
five surviving U.S. team members, all Hall of Famers, were in
Oneonta for last year’s induction” said
Jack Huckel, Hall of
Fame Director of Communications.
Admission for
the special screening (Rated PG) and the reception at the Hall
of Fame following the showing is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for senior
citizens and for children 12 and under. The Oneonta Theatre has
graciously offered the auditorium free of change and will donate
all proceeds to the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame expects some
of the original World Cup team members to be a part of the
celebration. Commemorative tickets will be on sale at the Hall
of Fame beginning on Monday, April 4. Contact the Hall at
607/432-3351 x207. “This is a one-time event,” Director of
Operations
Kathryn Dailey stated. “Everyone, soccer fan, movie
fan, or big event fan will want to be here.”
The 1950 U.S. World Cup team, for the most part, was a
collection of stars from the American Soccer League on the East
Coast and the St. Louis League. All were part-time players who
held a variety of jobs, from mail carrier to schoolteacher,
funeral home staff to dishwasher. Their win on a
Joe
Gaetjens’
header was totally unexpected and many newspapers, particularly
those in England, refused to publish the initial score line,
believing it to be in error. When the news finally made it to
press, the story had little impact in the United States and was
a black-bordered front-page story in the British Isles.
The
entire starting line-up was inducted into the Hall of Fame in
1976. Many historians of the game consider it to be among the
most unlikely upsets in
World
Cup history. Every subsequent
David defeats Goliath World Cup result has been measured in
comparison to this U.S. victory.
Geoffrey
Douglas, a member of the faculty at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell, wrote the book of the same title upon
which the movie is based. “This is a classic underdog story, of
ordinary men scaling to exceptional heights,” Huckel said.
“These players were among the very best in their respective
leagues and their playing ability has not been well recognized.
Players like
John 'Clarkie' Souza
and
Walter Bahr
were perennial All-Stars in the American Soccer League.
Goalkeeper
Frank Borghi
and right fullback
Harry
Keough
were also regulars on any St. Louis area All Star team from the
late 40's through much of the 50's. Several were offered the
opportunity to play overseas, but almost all refused, preferring
the stability of their regular jobs in the States. It is also
important to note that, typical of the great melting pot that
characterizes the United States, while the names of the players
reflect many ethnic backgrounds, all but three were born in
America!"
Visit the official
website of the movie ...
www.gameoftheirlivesmovie.com
About the National Soccer Hall
of Fame and Museum
 Located in
Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a 30,000
square foot, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame
tells the story of soccer in
America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new
Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks
Zone where visitors have fun kicking,
heading and playing computer trivia stations and video
soccer games. The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest
moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer
action with World Cup, MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. Unique and
rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world’s oldest soccer
ball to the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy won by the USA in
1999,
Pelé's and Mia Hamm’s uniforms, Kristine Lilly’s golden
shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship
trophy, MLS gallery - it’s all at the National Soccer Hall of
Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer
Hall of Fame complex boasts the
Kicks
Zone Store,
a research library, four world-class soccer fields and
office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an
indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future.
The mission of
the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history,
honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of
soccer in the United States.
The National
Soccer Hall of Fame is open every day of the year, except
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Admission is $9.00 for
adults, $8.00 for students, $6.50 for children 6 or older and
senior citizens. Children 5 and under are free.
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