Werner Roth (soccer)

Werner Roth (born April 4, 1948) is a retired American professional soccer defender. Mainly associated with the New York Cosmos, he also represented the United States men's national soccer team for three years. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Werner Roth
Personal information
Date of birth (1948-04-04) April 4, 1948
Place of birth Yugoslavia
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1972 N.Y. German-Hungarians
1972–1979 New York Cosmos 125 (2)
National team
1972–1975 United States 15 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Soccer career

Born in Yugoslavia, Roth emigrated to the United States at age eight,[1] going on to become a rising star in American soccer through the 1960s. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, playing on the varsity squad from 1962 to 1966, and captaining the team in his senior year.[2]

Additionally, he studied architecture at the Pratt Institute, and played for the German-Hungarians in the German American Soccer League.[3]

One of the few Americans on a star-studded New York Cosmos side (i.e. Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer), Roth played with the club seven years, and helped it to the Soccer Bowl title in 1977. He also appeared 15 times for his adopted country's national team, in the 1970s.

Movie career / Personal

Roth played German soccer team captain Baumann in the 1981 movie Victory (titled Escape to Victory in Europe), which also featured former Cosmos teammate Pelé, as well as Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1989.[2]

In 2005, having been living in Brooklyn and Long Island for decades, Roth became engaged to soap opera actress Robin Mattson. The couple were married in June 2006.[1]

Films
Year Title Role Notes
1978Manny's OrphansHimself
1981Escape to VictoryBaumann, Team Captain - The Germans

References
  1. World Soccer Society profile
  2. Former Cosmos captain Werner Roth serving as honorary captain
  3. Good ol' days at soccer park
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