Orest Banach[a] (born March 31, 1948; also known as Orri Banach)[b] is a retired German-American soccer goalkeeper of Ukrainian descent who played three seasons in the North American Soccer League and earned four caps with the U.S. national team.

Orri Banach
Personal information
Full name Orest Banach
Date of birth (1948-03-31) March 31, 1948 (age 76)
Place of birth Neu-Ulm, Germany
Height 6 ft 1+12 in (1.87 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Ukrainian Lions
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966 Toronto Roma 4 (0)
1966–1967 Ukrainian Lions ? (?)
1968 Boston Beacons 1 (0)
1969 Baltimore Bays 6 (0)
1969–1970 Hansa, Chicago ? (?)
1971 St. Louis Stars 13 (0)
1972 Ukrainian Lions ? (?)
International career
1969–1972 United States 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Youth

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While born in Germany, Banach grew up in the United States. He graduated from East Leyden High School of Franklin Park, Illinois in 1965.

Club

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Banach played for the Ukrainian Lions of the National Soccer League of Chicago. In 1966, he moved to Toronto Roma of the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League.[1] In 1967, he played in the American Soccer League with the Rochester Lancers.[2] After he return to the Ukrainian Lions. He then played six seasons in the North American Soccer League, in 1968 for the Boston Beacons, in 1969 for the Baltimore Bays, in 1971 for the St. Louis Stars, and in 1972 for the Ukrainian Lions.

National team

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He also earned four caps, all World Cup qualifiers, with the U.S. national team between 1969 and 1972. His first cap was a 2–0 loss to Haiti on April 20, 1969. His second cap was another loss to Haiti on May 11, 1969.[3] He did not play again for the national team until a 3–2 loss to Canada on August 20, 1972. In that game, he came out in 46th minute for Mike Winters. His last cap came nine days later, a 2–2 tie with Canada. He again came out of the game for Winter, this time in the 34th minute.[4]

Notes

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  1. ^ Ukrainian: Орест Банах, romanizedOrest Banakh
  2. ^ Ukrainian: Оррі Банах, romanizedOrri Banakh

References

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  1. ^ Sports Scene Ukrainian Weekly September 17, 1966
  2. ^ "Lancers Booters Sign Canadian". Democrat and Chronicle. May 23, 1967. p. 38.
  3. ^ USA - Details of International Matches 1885-1969 Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ USA - Details of International Matches 1970-1979
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