Werner Nilsen

Early career

Nilsen played for Norwegian club Skiens Grane before moving to the United States in 1923. When he arrived, he settled in Boston where he began playing for local amateur and semi-professional soccer teams including the Norwegian-Americans and Hub F.C., both in the Boston and District League.

Boston

In 1926, Nilsen signed with the Boston Soccer Club of the American Soccer League (ASL). At the time, the ASL was establishing itself as one of the top leagues, both nationally and internationally, and the Wonder Workers were a rising team in the league. Nilsen began as a right half, then moved into the front line as either a center forward or right inside. He won his first league cup (Lewis Cup) in 1927, then his first league title in the 1927–28 season. The next year, he tied János Nehadoma of the Brooklyn Wanderers as the top goal scorers with 43 goals a piece. He also joined Viking F.C. for a tour of Scandinavia. Viking F.C. was an ad hoc traveling team composed of U.S.-based players with ethnic roots in Scandinavia.

Fall River

Nilsen began the 1929–30 season in Boston, but was transferred to the Fall River F.C. after three games. In Fall River, he played alongside Bert Patenaude on the front line. The onset of the Great Depression in 1929, combined with the costs imposed by the "Soccer Wars" between the ASL and United States Football Association (USFA) led to severe financial problems with the league and its teams. This led to the rapid…

In 1934, Nilsen earned two caps with the United States when he was selected to the 1934 FIFA World Cup roster. His first game with the U.S. came on a May 24, 1934 World Cup qualification victory over Mexico. His next game did not end as successfully for the U.S. as it lost to Italy on May 27, 1934, in the finals first round.

Nilsen coached the St. Louis Raiders during the 1946–47 season.

According to the Soccer Hall of Fame, Nilsen worked as a machinist and a men's clothing model in both Boston and St. Louis.