A Hungarian Revolution

1961 – Around the World and Close to Home

Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in outer space, the Berlin Wall closes the border between democratic West Germany and communist East Germany, and John F. Kennedy, at 43, becomes America’ s youngest president. Later, Kennedy Kennedy and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver Seattle speeches eight days apart, and elsewhere ground is broken on the Space Needle and the first Burgerville USA opens in Vancouver.

A Hungarian Revolution

Sunday afternoons at Seattle's Woodland Park had always been thick with a stew of western European accents and the sight of a fast, physical and direct style of soccer. Yet as a new decade dawned, a decidedly different and far more powerful brand broke free of the pack. The Hungarian revolution and arrived in full force in Washington.

Three [check] years after entering the state's first division, the Seattle Hungarians began to hit their stride and left the rest of the Northwest in their dust. Funded by Balint Ducz, whose Burien bakery put thousands of pastries on United Airlines flights each day, the Hungarians won the first of their league trophies in early April, then quickly added two more cup victories before May. It was the start of a run that would see out the Sixties.

Unlike many of the Germans, Irish, British, Italian and Scandinavian men of the state's first division who had come to postwar Seattle seeking opportunity to work in aircraft-related industries, the Hungarians were largely refugees. Les Fabri and Mike Kuczi were soldiers who saw their country overrun by Russian army and tanks in the 1956 uprising. They, along with the likes of Les Muller and Lou Vitez, were among the 9 million fleeing the Communists, first into neighboring countries such as Austria and eventually North America. Vitez and Muller came directly to Seattle, Fabri and Kuczi via Vancouver.

At the time of the revolution, Hungary's national team and Budapest Honvéd were regarded as world soccer royalty. The Mighty Magyars won the 1952 Olympic tournament and were runners-up in the '54 World Cup. Honvéd was in the middle of the European Cup play when the revolution was crushed, and many of the players refused to return home, instead finding safe haven in Western Europe.

Across the state, four Hungarian refugees formed the nucleus of the Spokane Spokes of the Western International League. Although those who landed in Seattle were not world-class, several were proven professionals or members of the vaunted Hungarian army selects. In either case, they were the most talented players ever to kick leather around Lower Woodland. In fact, Seattle's soccer playground was among the first stops for the first wave of Hungarian players arriving in late 1956. Soon they were joining up with existing first division sides, however it was not until autumn of 1958 that the Hungarians formed their own club. Once Fabri and Kuczi joined the fold, the pieces had all fallen into place and the trophy hunting began in earnest.

After a second-place showing in the league's first half, the Magyars ran amuck. Displaying an audacious attack and deadly finishing, they averaged more than six goals per game in the second half, going 7-0-1. Loyal Realty managed to battle the Hungarians on even terms for 120 minutes of the final, forcing a replay. But the Hungarians won that and the knockout cup the following week before brushing aside Portland's German Club, 5-3, for supremacy in the Northwest.

Northwest Champion
Seattle Hungarians 5:3 German Club (Ore.)
State Men's Champion
Seattle Hungarians 2:1 Loyalty Realty
State Knockout Cup
Seattle Hungarians 5:2 Husky SC
Largest Attendance
2,000, Seattle All-Stars v Third Lanark, Memorial Stadium

1961: A Hungarian Revolution

Five years after they were forced to flee their home country due to the Soviets' crushing their revolution, a talented cast of Hungarians became the dominant side in the Northwest

Italians' Upset Delay Magyars' Title
December 17, 1961

Italian I.S. manages a 2-2 draw with the Hungarians, delaying their clinching of the first-half title. The Italians (1-8-1) surprisingly go up 2-nil on Peter DiValentine’s free kick and Earl Olsen doubles the lead out of a goalmouth scramble. Alex Csabay cuts it to 2-1, and Alex Bogdan ties it on virtually the last kick on a sloppy West Seattle pitch.

Huskies Win Apple Cup
May 21, 1961

Ivo Ceschi's brace is the difference as the University of Washington club beats Washington State counterparts, 3-1, at Pullman. The Huskies sweep their eastern trip, having also won at Whitworth, 3-1.

Hungarians Claim First Title
April 9, 1961

In a replay of the state league final, second-half winner Seattle Hungarians edge defending champion Loyal Realty, 2-1, at West Seattle Stadium. It marks the first state league title for the Magyars. The teams tied, 2-2, two weeks earlier. Alfonso Aquila and Les Farkas stake the Magyars to a 2-nil lead within the first 10 minutes. Fridy Kristiansen gets the lone Vikings goal on a second-half breakaway.

Eastside Starters
March 1, 1961

Born in Birmingham, England, Vancouver, B.C. transplant and Boeing engineer Jack Goldingay starts the Eastside's first youth program through the Bellevue Boy Club. There are four teams. By 1962, it grows to more than 300 players.

European Cup Final Screened
May 10, 1961

Buchan Bakers sponsors a screening of the much-heralded 1960 European Cup final featuring Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt before 135,000 in Glasgow. The 90-minute film, after multiple sold-out showings in Vancouver, is shown at Seattle's Palomar Theatre, with Bob Robertson-narrated highlights of the 1960 Rome Olympics and U.S. college season completing the fare.

Mueller A Rising Star
March 1, 1961

Hungarians forward Les Mueller, 18, stars in sports seemingly year-round in Seattle. When he's not scoring in the state league on Sundays, the Budapest-born fullback and linebacker is a football force at Ballard High School. Nicknamed Crash and Carry, Mueller leads the Beavers to the Metro League championship game on Thanksgiving Day, witnessed by 12,000 fans.

Hungarians Achieve Treble
April 30, 1961

Leaving no doubt virtually from the opening kick, Seattle Hungarians put four goals past Portland's German Club without reply and go on to claim the Northwest Championship, 5-3, at Catholic Memorial Field. It is the third trophy for the Hungarians. It's the ninth straight win for a Washington side in the annual Cascadia season-ending derby. It's one of the final fixtures played at Catholic Memorial, which is condemned later in the year.

Victoria Victorious Over All-Stars
May 20, 1961

Les Mueller scores for the Seattle All-Stars but they drop a 3-1 decision to the Victoria All-Stars before 1,800 fans at Royal Athletic Park.

BC Youth Reign in Cascadia
November 26, 1961

Vancouver's North Shore All-Stars defeat Seattle CYO All-Stars, 3-1 (4-2 aggregate), at West Seattle Stadium to retain the Oldershaw Trophy. It's the Canadians' ninth win in 10 years of the series.

Magyars Clinch Double
April 23, 1961

Seattle Hungarians defeat Husky Soccer Club in Knockout Cup final at West Seattle, 5-2, to retain the trophy. Alfonso Aquilar and Les Mueller, who combined for all five goals, make it 2-nil before the Huskies' Ivo Ceschi answers. In final half-hour, the Hungarians pull away behind two more Mueller scores. Aquilar bags a brace, and Joe Samra tallies the other UW goal. Buchan Bakers defeat Vancouver Irish in undercard, 2-1.

St. George's Makes It 3 of 4
November 18, 1961

Beacon Hill's St. George's wins its third CYO Cadet crown in four years, defeating St. Anne's, 4-1, at West Seattle Stadium. It completes a city sweep for St. George's, who also won the midget title.

Canadians Take Cascadia Duel
February 19, 1961

Molson's Canadians defeat defending state champion Loyal Realty, 4-2, before 5,000 at Vancouver's Powell Street Grounds.

Scots Rout Local Stars
June 4, 1961

Touring first division side Third Lanark, one of the highest-scoring teams in Scottish history with 100 goals the past season, is merciless in humbling the Seattle All-Stars, 9-0, before 2,000 at Memorial Stadium. After Les Muller misfires on two early Seattle chances, the Redcoats carve up the All-Stars with crisp, short passes. Matt Gray leads Lanark with a hat trick.

Husky SC Wins Five-a-Side
April 9, 1961

Dick Aguirre delivers the decisive goal as Husky SC 'A' stuns favored Buchan 'C' in the Five-a-Side final at West Seattle. The UW five also features Willi Lindner, Julian Minghi, Ama Oji and Fernando Antezana. Husky SC becomes the first local team to win the tournament in three years.

Spokane Spokes Reach Cup Semi
March 26, 1961

The Spokane Spokes of the Western International Soccer League reach the Knockout Cup semifinals with a 6-0 rout of Scotty's. Roy Quellnal leads the Spokes with a hat trick. Spokane features four Hungarians who fought in their country's 1956 revolution.

Kuczi, Fabri Run Wild
September 24, 1961

Mike Kuczi scores four goals and Les Fabri three as the Hungarians rout Loyal Realty Vikings, 8-2, in the state knockout final at Lower Woodland. Fabri opens the scoring, Alex Bogdan hits from 20 yards and Kuczi’s free kick make it 3-nil at halftime. The Vikings briefly pull a goal back before the onslaught resumes.

St. George's Tops Among Midgets
November 12, 1961

St. George wins the CYO Midget Division, 3-2, over St. Francis.

This is the best side in our state in 10 years.
Eddie Craggs, National Soccer Hall of Fame member, after seeing the Seattle Hungarians win its first two matches by a combined 11-1 score
I would like to have a scholarship to college. I prefer the University of Washington. But if that doesn't happen I will probably try professional soccer in Europe or South America.
Les Muller, Ballard High School football and Seattle Hungarians star
On this Day in History
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