Stefan Szefer
FullnameStefan Rudolf Szefer[1]
Birth dateMay 8, 1942 (age 84)
Birth placePabianice, Poland
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
PositionDefender
Youthyears 11959–1962
Youthclubs 1Pabianice
Years 11963–1965
Clubs 1Śląsk Wrocław
Years 21966–1968
Clubs 2ŁKS Łódź
Years 31968
Clubs 3Chicago Mustangs
Years 41969–1971
Clubs 4MVV Maastricht
Caps 449
Goals 42
Years 51971–1973
Clubs 5Chicago Wisła
Years 61973–1975
Clubs 6Ukrainian Lions
Years 71975
Clubs 7Chicago Sting
Caps 722
Goals 73
Years 81976
Clubs 8Chicago Cats
Years 91977–1979
Clubs 9Chicago Sting
Caps 940
Goals 93
Years 101980–1981
Clubs 10Chicago Sting (indoor)
Caps 108
Goals 101
Nationalyears 11966–1967
Nationalteam 1Poland
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 21973
Nationalteam 2United States
Nationalcaps 23
Nationalgoals 20

Stefan Rudolf Szefer (born May 8, 1942), also known as Steve Shafer or Shaffer,[2] is a former soccer player who played as a defender. He earned six caps during his career, three with Poland and three with the United States.[3]

Club career

Most sources for Szefer's early career are in Polish. In 1964, he was with Śląsk Wrocław.[4] He then played for ŁKS Łódź from 1966 to 1968. In 1968, Szefer moved to the Chicago Mustangs of the North American Soccer League. The Mustangs folded at the end of the season. He then moved to Dutch club MVV Maastricht for two seasons, scoring two goals as a left back.[5] In 1971, Szefer moved back to Chicago where he played for two amateur teams, Chicago Wisla (1971–1973) and the Ukrainian Lions (1973–1975). In 1975, he signed with the expansion Chicago Sting of the NASL. In May 1976, Szefer joined the Chicago Cats of the American Soccer League,[6] but returned to the Sting for the 1977 season. Szefer played outdoor for the Sting until 1979. He returned briefly in 1980 to play for them during the 1980–1981 NASL indoor season.

International career

Poland

Szefer played three games for the Poland from 1966 to 1967. He also played for Poland in the 1968 European Championship.[7]

United States

In 1973, Szefer played for the U.S. under the name Steve Shafer. The first game was a 2–0 win over Canada on August 5. Five days later, he played in a 4–0 loss to Poland. On August 12, he played his last game with the U.S., a 1–0 win over Poland. He was replaced by Jerry Panek in the 60th minute.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Stefan Szefer". EU-Football.info. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Soccer Hall of Fame National Team Registry
  3. ^ "Players Appearing for Two or More Countries". RSSSF. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  4. ^ Stefan Szefer
  5. ^ Topscorers Eredivisie, PTT-Telecompetitie, KPN Telecompetitie, KPN Eredivisie, Holland Casino Eredivisie 1956–2003
  6. ^ May 4, 1976 Transactions
  7. ^ European Championship 1968 (Details)
  8. ^ USA – Details of International Matches 1970–1979