Frank Borghi, one of the heroes of the US national team’s shock win over England in the 1950 World Cup, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.
Borghi played goalkeeper for the US team at the 1950 World Cup, helping the Americans beat heavily favored England 1-0 in the tournament’s group stage. The game is still considered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, and inspired a 2005 feature film titled The Game of Their Lives, in which Borghi was played by Gerard Butler.
A native of St. Louis, Borghi made nine career appearances for the US national team, including playing all three matches at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. He and the rest of his 1950 teammates were inducted into the United States National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976.
Borghi also won two US Open Cups, helping St. Louis Simpkins-Ford to the title in 1948 and 1950. A one-time catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system, Borghi was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Longtime US national team captain and former Temple and Penn State head coach Walter Bahr is now the lone remaining living member of the 1950 World Cup team.
