US pioneer Banks dies aged 54 after cancer battle

REUTERS: American soccer pioneer Jimmy Banks died on Friday at the age of 54 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, U.S. Soccer said.

Milwaukee-born Banks and team mate Desmond Armstrong became the first two African-Americans named on a U.S. World Cup squad when they were included on the roster for the 1990 tournament.Banks made two appearances at that World Cup, playing in a 1-0 defeat to host Italy and a 2-1 loss to Austria."The entire U.S. soccer family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jimmy Banks," U.S. Soccer Federation President Carlos Cordeiro said in a statement.

"At a time when few African-American players were reaching the elite level of the sport, Jimmy's rise to play for the U.S. men's national team at the 1990 World Cup inspired a new generation to reach the same level."His time as a player, coach and mentor will leave a lasting impact on the sport in this country, particularly his tireless efforts to grow the game through his inner city soccer programs.

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