Joe Gaetjens, the player who scored perhaps the most significant goal in the history of American soccer, has been selected to receive the Honorary All-America award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The award will be presented posthumously to Gaetjens’ eldest son Lesly at the NSCAA All-America Luncheon, to be held Saturday, January 15, at the Hilton Baltimore in conjunction with the 2011 NSCAA Convention.

A member of the United States team that played in the 1950 World Cup, Gaetjens’ diving header gave the American side a 1-0 victory over England, a result that stands as arguably the greatest upset in World Cup history.

Each year the NSCAA Honorary All-America award is presented to those who have brought particular distinction to the sport of soccer through their efforts within and beyond the boundaries of the sport. Among past recipients are MLS owner/investor Lamar Hunt, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, comedian Jon Stewart, three U.S. astronauts and soccer legend Pelé.

“It is only fitting that the player who scored arguably the most significant goal in American soccer be recognized as an All-America,” said NSCAA CEO and Executive Director Joe Cummings. “The story of Joe Gaetjens is an inspiration to anyone involved with soccer in the United States, and we are thrilled to finally recognize his invaluable contribution to our sport’s legacy.”

To view a video segment on Gaetjens that aired on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," CLICK HERE.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1924, Gaetjens moved to New York City in the 1940s to study accounting at Columbia University. There he joined the famed Brookhattan club and won the American Soccer League’s scoring title in 1950. That same year he was placed on the U.S. World Cup roster and traveled with the team to Brazil.

On June 29, 1950, the American side faced England in Belo Horizonte in the second match of the tournament for each team. In the first half of a scoreless match, American Walter Bahr launched a long-distance shot that Gaetjens dove onto, redirecting it with his head to give the United States the only goal it would need for the victory. Since England had chosen to not participate in prior World Cups and had shut out Chile in its first game, Gaetjens’ goal was the first scored against England in World Cup competition.

After the World Cup, Gaetjens moved to France, where he played for Racing Club de Paris and Olympique Alés before returning to Haiti in 1954. He remained active in the sport, playing for Etoile Haitienne and was a member of the Haitian National Team for a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico in December 1953.

On July 8, 1964, Gaetjens was taken into custody by the infamous Tonton Macoutes secret police of Haitian dictator “Papa Doc” Duvalier. He is believed to have died in Fort Dimanche Prison in Port-au-Prince, although his fate remains a mystery.

Gaetjens becomes the sixth member of the 1950 U.S. World Cup Team to be presented the NSCAA's Honorary All-America award. In 2003, the five surviving members of the team were recognized in advance of the release of the movie "The Game of Their Lives," which chronicled the team's selection, their trip to Brazil and the match against England.

Past NSCAA Honorary All-America Recipients
1972, Col. William Anders, Apollo 8 Lunar Mission Astronaut
1973, William Westmoreland, General of the Army
1974, William Symington, U.S. Representative, Mo.
1982, Dennis P. Long, Anheuser-Busch Co.
1983, Clay Berling, Publisher, Soccer America
1985, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics
1989, Werner Fricker, President, U.S. Soccer
1990, Pelé
1991, Sonny Carter, U.S. astronaut
1992, Anson Dorrance, U.S. Women’s National Team Coach
1993, Andrew Shue, TV/Movie actor
1994, Carolyn McKenzie-Edwards, Soccer in the Streets
1996, Lamar Hunt, Investor/Operator, Major League Soccer
1998, Bob Ley, ESPN
1999, Tony DiCicco, U.S. Women’s National Team Coach
2000, Michelle Akers, U.S. Women’s National Team
2001, Heroes and Victims of Sept. 11, 2001; accepted by Joe Brosi and Wyman Iriarity, Fire Dept. of New York soccer team
2003, Walter Bahr, Frank Borghi, Harry Keough, Gino Pariani and John Sousa, Members of the 1950 U.S. World Cup, Team; Zachary Ty Bryan, TV/Movie actor
2004, U.S. Servicemen and Servicewomen Using Soccer for Outreach; accepted by Capt. Alexander Fyfe and,, Lt. Joshua Walters
2005, Jon Stewart; comedian/TV talk show host
2006, John and Maureen Hendricks; founders of the Discovery Channel
2007, Kristine Lilly, five-time U.S. Women’s World Cup player
2008, Dr. Sandra Magnus, U.S. astronaut
2009, JP Dellacamera, ESPN

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