Frank Dell'Apa

frankdellapa@gmail.com

June 11, 1995 – Birth of Sam’s Army, Foxborough, Mass.

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From my Boston Globe report: “The United States performed confidently, with a sense of purpose, and as if the players expected to win against Nigeria before a crowd of 22,578 that included small bands of flag-waving supporter groups from both countries.

Jay Jay Okocha’s eighth-minute goal opened the scoring, then John Harkes equalized with a 10th-minute long-distance blast. Taiwo Wasiu, making his international debut, broke the deadlock with a 19th-minute goal. The U.S. rallied on goals by Marcelo Balboa (45’) and Cobi Jones (87’). [Read more…] about June 11, 1995 – Birth of Sam’s Army, Foxborough, Mass.

June 10, 1924 – AMERICAN SOCCER TEAM HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN POLAND

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News did not travel fast in those days, George M. Collins’ report (by mail) of the U.S. national team’s 3-2 win over Poland appearing in July 3, 1924 editions of The Boston Globe.

This was the seventh official international match for the U.S. national team (4W-2L-1T), according to the Society for American Soccer History. Brockton’s Herbert “Birdie” Wells’ third-minute goal gave the U.S. the lead and Fleisher Yarn’s Andy Stradan (formerly of Fore River) converted in the 30th and 47th minutes. [Read more…] about June 10, 1924 – AMERICAN SOCCER TEAM HAD A WONDERFUL TIME IN POLAND

June 9, 1993 – U.S. 2:0 England, U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 37,236). First U.S. victory in Foxborough

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This was also the first U.S. win over England since Joe Gaetjens’ goal provided a 1-0 result in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. “Now we don’t have to talk about 1950 anymore,” U.S. Soccer Federation general secretary Hank Steinbrecher said.

The kickoff was delayed seven minutes because of a lightning storm that also likely reduced the side of the crowd. My story in the Boston Globe noted the weather presented a greater threat to public safety than potential hooligan behavior, which was a major concern in anticipation of the 1994 World Cup. [Read more…] about June 9, 1993 – U.S. 2:0 England, U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 37,236). First U.S. victory in Foxborough

June 8, 1992 – THEY WUZ ROBBED

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The Republic of Ireland national team made a strong impact on soccer in New England in the early 1990s, drawing significant crowds and displaying the form that took the team to a berth in the 1988 European Championship and quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup. [Read more…] about June 8, 1992 – THEY WUZ ROBBED

June 7, 1931 – Akron Goodyear 2:0 (3:1 aggregate) New Bedford Black Cats, U.S. Amateur Cup (Att.: 5,000)

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Walker scored in the seventh minute “bunting the ball through,” according to the Boston Globe. Craig then converted a penalty kick. The Black Cats were “lighter and faster, presented a better coordinated offensive, led by Winn, Perry and Kogut, keeping the ball in the Goodyear’s half of the field two-thirds of the game, but were handicapped by a slippery field.” The teams had played to a 1-1 draw in New Bedford May 10, 1931.

Heavyweight contender Young Stribling “drove over from his training camp at Geauga Lake” to kick off the match. Stribling would lose to Max Schmeling on 15th-round TKO in Cleveland July 3, 1931.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

June 6, 2008 – Venezuela 2:0 Brazil at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 53,045)

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Venezuela’s Vinotinto provided one of the greatest upsets in the history of New England sports with this victory over Brazil. The Brazilians went into this match with a record of 17-0-0 (78-4 goal differential) against Venezuela since the series started in 1969, and were booed off the field by a raucous Friday night crowd. Giancarlo Maldonado (fifth minute) gave Venezuela its first advantage ever over Brazil and Ronald Vargas (44th) upped the lead to 2-0 at halftime. [Read more…] about June 6, 2008 – Venezuela 2:0 Brazil at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 53,045)

June 5, 1924 – Chinese students’ soccer team of Greater Boston captain Arthur Sun elected MIT captain

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Xi Jinping and the China Super League have revived soccer in the country, but there were apparently some talented Chinese players competing in the Boston area 100 years ago.

Some of the earliest mentions of Chinese soccer in New England date to 1918, the name of the team(s) varying. Chinese players made a strong impact with Northeastern University’s team. References to Chinese soccer in Boston appear to fade after the mid-1920s, though, a time of great political unrest in China.

Nov. 9, 1918 – MIT Chinese soccer 4:1 Harvard S.A.T.C. [Read more…] about June 5, 1924 – Chinese students’ soccer team of Greater Boston captain Arthur Sun elected MIT captain

June 4, 2011 – U.S. 0:4 Spain (Att.: 64,421). Biggest U.S. loss, and their biggest crowd, in Foxborough

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A wide gulf in talent and tactical acumen resulted in an embarrassing defeat for the U.S. national team against Spain. Santi Cazorla (28’, 41’) and Alvaro Negredo (32’) provided a 3-0 halftime lead and El Niño Torres added a 73rd-minute goal for the Spaniards, who had played once before in Foxborough, sustaining a 2-1 extra time loss to Italy in the World Cup quarterfinals at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 53,400) July 9, 1994. [Read more…] about June 4, 2011 – U.S. 0:4 Spain (Att.: 64,421). Biggest U.S. loss, and their biggest crowd, in Foxborough

June 3, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 0:0 Glasgow Rangers at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 15,500)

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The Scots were setting footballing standards with their precision short passing game in the 1920s. The Scotland national team had destroyed England, 5-1, in the British Home Championship at Wembley March 31, 1928. After the match, Alex James said “we could have had 10,” and the team was nicknamed “The Wizards of Wembley,” the performance so commanding it remains a symbol of the excellence of Scottish soccer. [Read more…] about June 3, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 0:0 Glasgow Rangers at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 15,500)

June 2, 1917 – Lynn Hibernians win Boston and District League title

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The Boston and District League was the top amateur soccer league in the area from the early 1900s on. The earliest references I’ve found were in 1907.

Lynn Hibernians fell, 3-1, to eventual champions Fall River Rovers in the third round of the 1917 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup). [Read more…] about June 2, 1917 – Lynn Hibernians win Boston and District League title