Charlie Colombo
{{short description|American soccer player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name= Charlie Colombo
| fullname =
| image = Charlie Colombo, 1950.jpg
| caption = Colombo in 1950
| birth_date = July 20, 1920
| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1986|5|7|1920|7|20}}
| death_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
| height =
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Center-half
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 =
| clubs1 = St. Louis Simpkins-Ford
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| nationalyears1 = 1948–1952
| nationalteam1 = United States
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 =
| managerclubs1 =
| pcupdate =
| ntupdate =
}}
Charles Martin Colombo (July 20, 1920 – May 7, 1986) was an American soccer player who earned 11 caps as center-half for the United States men's national soccer team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |title=Charlie Colombo - 1976 Inductee {{!}} National Soccer Hall of Fame |url=http://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/players/charlie-colombo.html |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Charlie Colombo - 1976 Inductee {{!}} National Soccer Hall of Fame |language=en}} He also played for the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/27711 |title=Charlie Colombo |work=Olympedia |access-date=October 22, 2021}}
Biography
Born and raised in The Hill area of St. Louis, Missouri, Colombo played professionally for St. Louis Simpkins-Ford, winning National Challenge Cup medals with them in 1948 and 1950. He was known as "Gloves" because he always wore gloves when he played, regardless of the weather.
Colombo played for the U.S. team from 1948 to 1952, including the 1–0 upset victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, in which his foul against Blackpool forward Stanley Mortensen in the second half gave England the chance to tie the game. The header from the resulting free kick came very close to scoring a goal, but was saved by goalkeeper Frank Borghi at the last second.
The day after U.S. victory, Colombo was offered an opportunity to play professional soccer in Brazil, but he turned it down and returned to his St. Louis club team. He later became the coach of the St. Louis Ambrose team.
He is buried in Old Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, in St Louis, Missouri.
References
{{Reflist}}
- [https://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/players/charlie-colombo.html National Soccer Hall of Fame profile]
- Cirino Antonio (Tony): US Soccer Vs The World, Damon Press 1983 – {{ISBN|0-910641-00-5}}
{{National Soccer Hall of Fame members}}
{{United States football squad 1948 Summer Olympics}}
{{United States Squad 1950 World Cup}}
{{United States football squad 1952 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Colombo, Charlie}}
Category:United States men's international soccer players
Category:Olympic soccer players for the United States
Category:Footballers at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Category:Footballers at the 1952 Summer Olympics
Category:1950 FIFA World Cup players
Category:National Soccer Hall of Fame members
Category:St. Louis Simpkins-Ford players
Category:Soccer players from St. Louis
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
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