Many soccer fans know and respect players like Jeff Agoos, Mia Hamm, and Brian McBride for their accomplishments in American Soccer, accomplishments that have earned them places in the US Soccer Hall of Fame. One name that is not often recognized among the bright stars of American soccer is George Moorhouse, a defender and midfielder from the era of the American Soccer League in the 1920s and 1930s. While he was no Landon Donovan, Moorhouse made significant contributions to the history of soccer in this country and an indirect contribution to the development of the soccer scene in Sacramento, California as well.
During an ASL career that spanned 13 years (and both the first and second ASLs), Moorhouse appeared in over 200 matches and scored at least 40 goals. One of the main highlights of his career was winning the US Open Cup in 1937, then called the National Challenge Cup, with the club New York Americans. The Final was played over two legs, with Moorhouse’s club winning 4-3 on aggregate after overcoming a 1-0 away loss with a 4-2 victory at home.
During his career Moorhouse also represented the United States at the first two FIFA World Cups: 1930 in Uruguay, where he helped the US to finish 3rd overall, and 1934 in Italy, where he served as captain to a US team that crashed out after just one game, a 7-1 loss to hosts and eventual winners Italy.
After participating in and contributing to so much of the early soccer history of the United States, it is no surprise that Moorhouse was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986, but it was a surprise to his family. Especially to his son George Moorhouse Jr, who learned of the induction four years later, completely by chance, when one of his sons happened to visit the Hall of Fame in 1990 and catch the familiar name.
While George Moorhouse Sr never played in Sacramento, or mostly anywhere outside of New York, his descendants are in the Sacramento area and are making contributions to the local soccer scene. Besides being fans of defending USL Champions Sacramento Republic FC, the Moorhouses are present in multiple levels of Sacramento area soccer. Rich Moorhouse, grandson of George Sr, currently coaches at the high school level and at Consumnes River College. Rich’s two children, both boys, currently play for Sacramento United. One of his sons, RJ Moorhouse, recently won the NPL Norcal State Cup with his Sac United U16 team.
Did you know about George Moorhouse Sr prior to this story? Are there any other members of the US Soccer Hall of Fame you think deserve to be rediscovered, so to speak? Let us know in the comments below or on social media.