Orest Banach

Orest “Orri” Banach (Ukrainian: Орест (Оррі) Банах) 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.

Youth

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

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. In 1967, he played in the American Soccer League with the Rochester Lancers. 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

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. 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.