The striker looked like he could be the future of soccer in America. But fans never got to discover how far he could go
During a locker room celebration after a World Cup qualifying win over Canada on 20 October 1976, Miro Rys could not have been more elated. The 19-year-old striker not only scored the opener of the US’s 2-0 triumph but also his first international goal.
“I’ve got the ball right here,” Rys proudly told reporters. “I’m going to take it home and hang it on the wall. I predicted before the game I would score, but when I scored, I felt incredible.”