A defender who scored the first goal ever for the United States in a full international.
Spalding’s goal against Sweden in the 22nd minute of a game in Stockholm on Aug. 20, 1916, tied that game at 1-1. The United States eventually won it, 3-1.
At the time of that game, Spalding was playing for Disston AA, one of the leading clubs in Philadelphia, where he had grown up and where he also played for the Kensington and Victor teams after playing for Lighthouse Boys Club, later playing for Bethlehem Steel and Philadelphia Merchant Ship. He played two seasons in the original American Soccer League for Harrison AA and Fleischer Yarn, and eventually became a major-league baseball player and coach. He played 131 games in 1927 and 1928 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators.
Inducted in 1950.
