Organizers expected a 30,000 crowd, and the walk-up provided a pleasant surprise as the U.S. played its first full international in Massachusetts. About 12,000 tickets were purchased at the gate (thousands of tickets were printed on-site), lines stretching toward Rte. 1 throughout the first half. [Read more…] about June 1, 1991 – U.S. 1:1 Ireland at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273)
This match proved to be a showcase for Fall River’s Joe Kennaway, who became Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39, after John Thomson, 22, sustained a fatal injury in a game against Rangers. [Read more…] about May 31, 1931 – Fall River FC 1:0 Glasgow Celtic at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 7,000)
Billy Gonsalves scored three goals for the Yankees, who began the season as the Fall River Marksmen. The Boston Globe advance story called the team the “Fall River Yankees.” [Read more…] about May 30, 1931 – NY Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)
The Revolution were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup after squandering a 3-0 lead, then losing as Benny Feilhaber’s penalty kick was saved by Nick Noble. [Read more…] about May 29, 2012 – Harrisburg City Islanders 3:3 (4:3 PKs) Revolution, U.S. Open Cup at Skyline Sports Complex (Att.: 441)
Greece and the U.S. were preparing for the 1994 World Cup, and Bora Milutinovic clearly succeeded in getting the team ready. [Read more…] about May 28, 1994 – U.S. 1:1 Greece, Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 21,317)
Buff Donelli scored every goal for the U.S. in a 4-2 victory over Mexico in a playoff match in Rome May 24, 1934. Three days later, Italy took a 3-0 halftime lead before Donelli’s 57th-minute conversion.
If the U.S.-Mexico game had been considered part of the World Cup finals, Donelli would have tied with Czechoslovakia’s Oldrich Nejedly for the Golden Boot with five goals. [Read more…] about May 27, 1934 – Italy 7:1 U.S., World Cup at Stadio Nazionale PNF (Att.: 25,000)
Liverpool FC compiled an 11-0-0 record (63-14 goal differential) on an eight-city tour of the U.S. and Canada from May 16-June 20, 1948.
Goals: Al Stubbins 2, Bill Fagan 2, Jack Balmer, Priday. Note: Joe Feicha (Ludlow Lusitano) goal disallowed (offside).
May 26, 1954 – Eastern Seaboard All-Stars 0:6 Chelsea FC at Fall River
A Rentschler Field record crowd arrived as the U.S. faltered in a send-off match on the way to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Goals: Edu, Gomez; Sivok, Polak, Fenin, Necid. [Read more…] about May 25, 2010 – U.S. 2:4 Czech Republic at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn. (Att.: 36,218)
Buff Donelli also scored for the U.S. in its 1934 World Cup match, a 7-1 loss to Italy on May 27, 1934. Donelli starred for Pittsburgh area soccer teams from the 1920s through ’40s, and also coached and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, later coaching Boston University’s football team.
Fernando Clavijo had coached the Revolution to their first .500 season and first playoff victory in 2000, then guided the team to the 2001 U.S. Open Cup final. But after a 2W-4L-1D start, Clavijo was replaced by assistant coach Steve Nicol on May 23, 2002.
May 23, 1975 – Boston Minutemen 3:0 Los Angeles Aztecs, NASL game at Nickerson Field
Goals: Melledew 2, Davies. Note: Shep Messing saves Bobby Sibbald PK
May 23, 1953 – Old Time Soccer Players Assn. fourth annual reunion at United Shoe FC in Beverly, Mass. [Read more…] about May 23, 2002 – Revolution fire Fernando Clavijo, name Steve Nicol interim coach