Werner Fricker (January 24, 1936, in Karlsdorf, Yugoslavia; (

Banatski Karlovac Banatski Karlovac () is a town located in the Alibunar Municipality, in the South Banat District of Serbia. It is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The town has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbers 5,820 people (2002 c ...

); – May 30, 2001, in

Horsham, Pennsylvania Horsham is a home rule municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,842 at the 2010 census. Horsham is located entirely within Horsham Township, and it is home to the Horsham Air Guard Station at the fo ...

) was a German-American

soccer Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

halfback who later became president of the

United States Soccer Federation The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), commonly referred to as U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the federation is ...

. He is a member of both the

National Soccer Hall of Fame The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 and currently located in Toyota Stadium (Texas), Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The Hall of Fame honors Association football, soccer ...

and the

USASA The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) is a national organization for amateur soccer in the United States. It consists of 55 state organizations as well as national, regional and state leagues. The National Premier Soccer League, NI ...

Hall of Fame.

Player

Fricker was born to a German-speaking family in Southern Banat, Yugoslavia but his family were forced to abandon the home during the national upheaval at the end of World War II. His family arrived in the United States in 1952 and settled in the

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

area where Werner started to play soccer for the German Hungarians in 1954. He had been selected for the United Soccer League all-star team several seasons and was a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team. He spent most of his career with the United German-Hungarians of Philadelphia. He was the captain of the German Hungarians, as well as the president of the GH, and of the United Soccer league. While playing for the GH Werner's team won the championship of the USLofPA 6 times in a row
GH Majors 1961–1966
, as well as in 1968, and 1969. Werner was captain and league delegate of the team. In 1964 the GH made it to the final of the Amateur Cup and lost to Chicago Schwaben, in Chicago. In 1965, Fricker and his teammates won the

National Amateur Cup The National Amateur Cup, also known as the USASA Amateur Cup, is an American soccer competition open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation through United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). In 1923, U.S. ...

. Werner was known as a "splitter" who was always tough in the man-to-man fight for the ball, but at the same time was always fair in his interferences. He was known to work tirelessly. His long passes were characterized as precise, and he never hesitated to take a shot at the opposing goal at any given opportunity. Werner took his soccer seriously and was a great believer in training sessions and team discipline.

Philadelphia United German-Hungarians

Werner began playing for the GH in 1954, and played continuously until 1969. He started playing in the reserves but was transferred to the Major Team a few seasons later. Werner was named captain of the Major Team in 1958 and held this position until 1968. While playing for the GH Werner's team won the Championship of the USLofPA 6 times in a row
GH Majors 1961–1966
, as well as in 1968, and 1969. In 1964 the GH made it to the final of the Amateur Cup and lost to Chicago Schwaben, in Chicago. In 1965, Fricker and his teammates won the

.1965 National Amateur Cup
/ref>More information about the 1965 Final can be found here GH 1965 Championship. The German Hungarians were Eastern Champions three times during Werner's career with them (1964, 1965, 1966), U.S. National Amateur Finalists twice (1964, 1966), as well as Eastern Pennsylvania Champions for eight seasons. Werner coached for the GH, coaching the U-14 Team, the Reserve Team, as well as the Major Team. Werner was the secretary of the GH from 1962 to 1966. He was the president of the club from 1968 to 1976. Werner held almost every position within the GH organization. He was part of the Dance group, He served as the entertainment chairman, on the Constitution committee, the building committee, he was the Kirchweih chairman, and the chairman of the board. ''"There has been no one in almost fifty years club history who has had more impact, who has contributed more in all aspects, and has dedicated his efforts both financially and through leadership for our well being as a club than Werner Fricker"'' – Werner Fricker, Jr., Past President German Hungarians

United States men's national soccer team

In 1963 Werner was selected as an alternate for the U.S. Olympic Team that would play in the Pan American Games. Werner continued to be in the U.S. player pool until 1967. In 1963 Werner was the first Philadelphian to represent Olympic soccer since 1956, and was believed to be 4th ever, behind Jack Dunn, Walter Bahr, and Ray Wilson.

United Soccer League of Pennsylvania

In 1959 United Soccer League of Pennsylvania was formed with the German Hungarians as a founding member. German Hungarian, Frank Follmer became the first president of the new league. Over their years of involvement in the USLofPA many members of the German Hungarians have been involved in the running of the league. As a player, he had been selected for the United Soccer League All start team numerous times. He played for the allstar team from 1958 to 1968, and served as captain from 1963 to 1968. Werner also coached the Leagues U-16 Select Team.

Executive

Fricker was president of the

from 1984 to 1990, executive vice president from 1975 to 1984, and vice president from 1974 to 1975. It was during Fricker's tenure as president of U.S. Soccer that the United States was awarded the right to host the 1994 World Cup, an event that significantly advanced the popularity of soccer in the United States. Fricker was defeated for re-election by Alan Rothenberg in 1990. During his time serving in the U.S. administrative structure, Fricker also sat on the

CONCACAF The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football,, ; french: Confédération de football d'Amérique du Nord, d'Amérique centrale et des Caraïbes, . Dutch uses the English name. abbreviated as CONCACAF ( ; types ...

executive committee. Werner Fricker was a founder of the USLofPA. He served as president of the USLofPA from 1970 to 1972, and secretary from 1967 to 1970.

Soccer experience

* Playing: ::* United States Olympic Team – 1964 ::* United Soccer League of Pennsylvania :::::All Star Team 1958–1968 :::::Captain 1963–1968 ::*

Philadelphia United German-Hungarians United German-Hungarians is an American social club, founded in 1910, as the Banater Männerchor. Although the club has been home to various auxiliary groups, the primary activities of the club remain soccer and cultural dancing. The first team w ...

1954–1969 :::::Captain 1958–1969 :::::U.S.

Champions – 1965 :::::U.S. National Amateur Cup Finalists – 1964 & 1966 :::::Eastern Champions – 1964 & 1966 ::* United Soccer League Champions – Eight Seasons ::* Eastern Pennsylvania Champions – Eight Seasons * Coaching: ::* United Soccer League of Pennsylvania :::::U-16 Select Team ::*

:::::U-14 Team :::::Reserve Team :::::Major Team * Administration: ::*

:::::Executive Vice President 1975–1984 :::::Vice President 1974–1975 :::::President 1984–1990 ::* USSF Committee Chairman :::::1986 World Cup Organizing Committee :::::International Games Committee :::::Technical Committee :::::Restructuring Committee :::::Marketing Committee :::::Geographical Delineating Committee ::* Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association :::::President 1972–1974 ::* United Soccer League of Pennsylvania :::::President 1970–1972 :::::Secretary 1967–1970 ::*

:::::President 1968–1976 :::::Secretary 1962–1966

References

External links

USASA Hall of Fame bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fricker, Werner 1936 births 2001 deaths People from Alibunar Yugoslav emigrants to the United States American soccer players National Soccer Hall of Fame members Presidents of the United States Soccer Federation United States men's international soccer players Association football midfielders