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which the United States had qualified a team. With 22 teams, this would be the biggest international soccer tournament until the 1982 World Cup. The 17-member team was led by coach George Burford, and ranged in age from 20 to 33. Ten teams qualified for a first-round bye, but the Americans were not one of these. They played against Estonia in round one, and won 1–0 on a penalty kick from center forward Andy Straden. This set up a match against South American powerhouse Uruguay, which easily beat the USA 3–0 on its way to the gold medal.

At this time, the national team was composed of amateur players who came together for matches only a few times each year. The team again made the Olympics in 1928 in the Netherlands. Burford returned as coach, but this group proved to be less successful for him. The Americans drew a first round matchup against a skillful side from Argentina, and were embarrassed 11–2. October 29, 1929 was Black Tuesday in the United States. On that day, the US stock market crashed, initiating the Great Depression, which was the longest and deepest economic decline of the twentieth century. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, and the sport of soccer was not immune to the effects of these hardships. The American Soccer League, a professional league that had existed since 1921, struggled as people could no longer afford to pay to watch soccer. The league would eventually fold in 1932.

The United States Football Association was recognized by FIFA in 1913

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