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]

Stefan Szefer
Personal information
Full name Stefan Rudolf Szefer[1]
Date of birth (1942-05-08) May 8, 1942 (age 82)
Place of birth Pabianice, Poland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1959–1962 Pabianice
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1965 Śląsk Wrocław
1966–1968 ŁKS Łódź
1968 Chicago Mustangs
1969–1971 MVV Maastricht 49 (2)
1971–1973 Chicago Wisła
1973–1975 Ukrainian Lions
1975 Chicago Sting 22 (3)
1976 Chicago Cats
1977–1979 Chicago Sting 40 (3)
1980–1981 Chicago Sting (indoor) 8 (1)
International career
1966–1967 Poland 3 (0)
1973 United States 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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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

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Poland

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

United States

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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

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  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
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