May 10 (1972)

Mike Seerey scores both goals as the heavily St. Louis-influenced U.S. team ties Mexico, 2-2, in an Olympic qualifier at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. Playing before 12,687 fans — most of them backing Mexico — Seerey erases an early Mexican lead by scoring off a header from fellow St. Louisan John Carenza in the 41st minute. Seerey puts the U.S. ahead in the 54th minute when he knocks in a 3-yard shot out of a scramble in front of the net. Mexico’s Armando Pina accounts for the game’s final goal in the 64th minute. Carenza, the all-time leading scorer in SIU-Edwardsville history, rattles a shot of the goal post with 8 minutes remaining. Seerey will win his second Hermann Trophy as college player of the year later in 1972 as he helps St. Louis U. win the NCAA Division I championship. In addition to Seerey and Carenza, the U.S. roster includes Buzz Demling, Joe Hamm and future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Al Trost. Another future U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer, Bob Guelker of SIU-Edwardsville, is the team’s head coach.  The U.S. will go on to qualify for the Olympics by defeating Jamaica, 2-1, at Busch Stadium on May 14.