Sternberg, Laszlo

Sternberg, a fullback, played for the Hungarian National team and captured 19 caps (international appearances) during his international career. As a club player, he played in Italy, Hungary, and the United States (for the Hakoah All-Stars in the American Soccer League).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 28, 1905 - d. unknown

Career Highlights:
A Hungarian, Sternberg played in Italy before he became a top player in his own country. In 1925-26, he played for Novese Novi in the Second Division. The following year, he appeared in 16 games for Andrea Doria. In 1927, Sternberg returned to Hungary and played for the club team Ujpest in the Hungarian League. He played one season for Ujpest (1927-28) and helped them finish in third place in both the league and in the Hungary Cup competition.

In 1928-29, Sternberg traveled to the United States and signed with the New York Giants of the American Soccer League. He played seven games for the Giants, but then jumped mid-season to the New York Hakoah, an all-Jewish team, in the newly-formed Eastern Soccer League. A starting fullback for the Hakoah, Sternberg helped the club win the U.S. Open Cup, considered the national championship, in 1929.

In October 1929, the ASL and ESL decided to merge and the New York Hakoah merged with another all-Jewish club, the Brooklyn Hakoah of the ASL. The season was split into two distinct halves, the spring and fall, and the 1930 season (which actually began in October 1929) saw the Hakoah All-Stars, which the Jewish club was named, finish in third place in both halves. Sternberg played in 59 games that year and scored the only three goals of his ASL career (all in the spring half). He remained with Hakoah in 1931, but they finished in sixth in the spring and fourth in the fall as Sternberg played in 32 games.

Sternberg returned to Hungary in 1933 and re-joined Ujpest. He also re-claimed his position on the National team's backline and was the team captain at the 1934 World Cup. In their first-round game, Hungary defeated Egypt, 4-2. They were then defeated in the quarterfinals (and eliminated from the tournament) by Austria, 2-1. The following year, Sternberg helped Ujpest capture the Hungarian League championship. He played one more season in Hungary with Ujpest (they finished second in 1935-36), and then finished his playing career in France with Red Star Paris.

Origin:
Hungary

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