József Braun


József Braun was a Hungarian Olympic footballer who played as a half back. Braun began his career in Hungary before finishing it in the American Soccer League. He earned 27 caps, scoring 11 goals, with the Hungarian national team. After retiring from playing, he coached for several years. Braun died in 1943 in a Nazi forced labor camp.

Early and personal life

He was Jewish. His nephew is András Kepes journalist, documentary filmmaker and author

Club career

Braun played as youth with VAC Budapest. In 1916, he signed for MTK Budapest in the Hungarian League, where he played primarily as a right wing back. In 1919, he was selected as the Hungarian Player of the Year. He retired from playing in 1925 after suffering from multiple injuries. During his years with MTK Budapest, Braun won nine Hungarian championships and two Hungarian cups. In 1929, he moved to the United States, where he attempted a comeback with the Brooklyn Hakoah of the American Soccer League. He played 17 games before moving to the Brooklyn Wanderers in the fall of 1929. He played 11 games during the 1929–30 season, then retired permanently.

National team

Braun earned 27 caps, scoring 11 goals, with the Hungarian national team. His first came in a 6 October 1918 victory over Austria. His last came in a 3–3 tie with Poland in December 1926. He was a member of the Hungarian soccer team at the 1924 Summer Olympics, where he played two games.

Coach

Braun later coached ŠK Slovan Bratislava from 1935-38.