December 8, 2011
WORLD CUP VETERANS
Windischmann, Souza meet at Met Oval

World Cup veterans Mike Windischmann (left) and John "Clarkie" Souza talked about soccer and the greatest show on earth at the Met Oval. Photo courtesy of Met Oval

Two World Cup veterans who participated at the soccer's greatest stage some 40 years apart, met up recently at the Metropolitan Oval in Maspeth Queens.

John "Clarkie" Souza, who played for the United States at the 1950 competition, and Mike Windischmann, who captained the Amerians at Italia '90, caught up with each at the historical Met Oval.

The two former internationals talked about soccer and the World Cup.

And yes, before you ask, both players performed at the Oval.

Souza, 91, played for the N.Y. German-Hungarians. He scored three goals in 14 international appearances for the U.S. during a time in which a National Team game was a big deal.

Souza was a member of the 1950 WC team that stunned England, 1-0, in one of the biggest, if not biggest, World Cup upsets in Brazil some 61 years ago.

Windischmann, 45, performed for Blau-Weiss Gottschee, S.C. Gjoa and Queens United. The Adelphi University graduate also made 50 appearances for the U.S.