U.S. World Cup Forward John ‘Clarkie’ Souza Passes away at Age 91

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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National Soccer Hall of Famer Started for USA During Upset of England in 1950 FIFA World Cup 

Former U.S. Men’s National Team forward John “Clarkie” Souza passed away Sunday at the age of 91, his daughter Martha confirmed on Tuesday. Souza was a starter on the U.S. squad that upset England during the 1950 FIFA World Cup. 

The National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee and Fall River, Mass., native drew attention for the U.S. Men’s National Team from his playing days with Ponta Delgada, a club that reached the U.S. Open Cup final in 1946 and 1947 and won the U.S. Amateur Cup in 1946, 1947 and 1948. 

Souza made his U.S. MNT debut on July 13, 1947, during a 5-0 loss against Mexico in Havana, Cuba. He had 16 appearances with the U.S. Men, scoring his two goals in back-to-back games on Sept. 18, 1949, and Sept. 21, 1949, against Mexico and Cuba, respectively. His goal against Cuba was part of a 5-2 victory. Souza’s final match with the U.S. was on Jan. 14, 1954, against Mexico during a 3-1 loss against the host team in Mexico City. 

During his U.S. tenure, Souza started and played for the World Cup team that upset England 1-0 on June 29, 1950, in Brazil. He was not related to fellow U.S. teammate Ed Souza, who also started in that famous victory against England. Souza and his World Cup teammates from the 1950 event were inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. 

Souza served in the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard a ship in the South Pacific. Souza is scheduled to be buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass., on April 13.