Frank Dell'Apa

frankdellapa@gmail.com

June 1, 1991 – U.S. 1:1 Ireland at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273). First full international in Massachusetts

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Ireland’s Tony Cascarino (57th minute) opened the scoring before Eric Wynalda slipped past Kevin Moran for a 68th-minute equalizer off a Chris Henderson assist as the U.S. Men’s National Team made its Massachusetts debut.

Organizers budgeted for a 30,000 crowd, but a week before the match, stadium manager Brian O’Donovan projected possible 35,000 attendance. The walk-up took officials by surprise, with about 12,000 purchasing tickets 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). First full international in Massachusetts

May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

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The Azzurri had their first look at the New England area, and would return two years later for World Cup second round and quarterfinal matches.

This game was played in a rainstorm and organizers had had to put things together quickly. I recall FIGC president Antonio Mattarese entering the press box and taking notice of water dripping onto the cold cuts table of the pre-game “spread.” Pretty certain questions were raised about planning for the ’94 World Cup. [Read more…] about May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)

May 30, 1931 – New York Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)

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Billy Gonsalves scored three goals for the Yankees, who began the season as the Fall River Marksmen, in an upset win over Celtic FC. In fact, the Boston Globe advance story called the team the “Fall River Yankees.”

“Billy Gonsalves, who learned his soccer on the sandlots of East Cambridge and then was grabbed by the old Boston team, was the big works in the game. All he did was score three of the Yankees’ goals and manipulate the ball in such a manner that he completely mystified the famous Celtics at times.” [Read more…] about May 30, 1931 – New York Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)

May 29, 1925 – ‘The Boston Soccer Social Club will hold a special meeting tonight’

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The Boston Globe May 29, 1925 editions noted:

“The Boston Soccer Social Club will hold a special meeting tonight at 8 o’clock in the Caledonian Building and all members are requested to be present.”

The building, at the corner of Appleton and Berkeley streets, became the Boston Tea Party rock club in the 1960s.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

May 28, 2005 – Clint Dempsey scores first international goal

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Clinton Drew Dempsey — named after the Man With No Name, Clint Eastwood  — was 22 years old and in his second season with the New England Revolution when he established himself among the starting candidates for the U.S. national team. Dempsey has gone on to captain the USMNT, totaling 56 goals, second to Landon Donovan (57) on the all-time list.

May 28, 2005 – U.S. 1:2 England at Soldier Field, Chicago

Dempsey began his professional career as a Revolution holding midfielder in 2004. In the second month of the ’04 season, Revolution coach Steve Nicol switched to a 3-5-2 alignment; two weeks later, with Taylor Twellman absent, Dempsey made his first start at forward, paired with Pat Noonan. [Read more…] about May 28, 2005 – Clint Dempsey scores first international goal

May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener

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Billy Gonsalves pushed for Buff Donelli to be included in the U.S. national team, and 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.

It seemed strange that FIFA would require two CONCACAF teams to travel to Italy to contest a play-in match, especially since a Trans-Atlantic voyage involved several weeks. If the U.S.-Mexico game had been considered part of the World Cup, Donelli would have tied with Czechoslovakia’s Oldrich Nejedly for the Golden Boot with five goals. [Read more…] about May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener

May 26, 2007 – Bolivia 1:1 Ireland at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 13,156)

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The Republic of Ireland national team’s rise coincided with Boston’s bid to become a 1994 World Cup venue. Ireland support was strong for the state’s first full international as the Republic and U.S. played to a 1-1 draw at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273) June 1, 1991. Ireland returned for a 2-0 victory over Portugal in the ’92 U.S. Cup, one of the goals a Steve Staunton “Olimpico” over Vitor Baia. But that would be the team’s only victory in Foxborough. Ireland has a 1W-2L-3D all-time record at Foxboro/Gillette stadiums. [Read more…] about May 26, 2007 – Bolivia 1:1 Ireland at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 13,156)

May 25, 1924 – First U.S. win in Olympic soccer

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Andy Straden scored on a 15th-minute penalty kick as the U.S. defeated Estonia for its first victory in the Olympics. The U.S. was then eliminated with a 3-0 loss to eventual champion Uruguay, the clash providing a connection between the countries, leading to the Uruguayans making a 1927 tour that included a stop in Boston. [Read more…] about May 25, 1924 – First U.S. win in Olympic soccer

May 24, 2002 – Last of the Revolution originals traded

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Ted Chronopoulos was part of a deal with the NY/NJ MetroStars, who sent Daniel Hernandez, Brian Kamler and Diego Serna to the Revolution in exchange for Chronopoulos, Mamadou Diallo and Andy Williams.

Chronopoulos performed for Panionios in Greece before joining the Revolution for their inaugural season, totaling 16 goals in 144 appearances (13th on team’s all-time list) in six-plus seasons. [Read more…] about May 24, 2002 – Last of the Revolution originals traded

May 23, 1926 – New York Giants 3:0 (4:5 aggregate) New Bedford Whalers, Lewis Cup final at the Oval

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This was the second year of the Lewis Cup competition, the equivalent of the League Cup for ASL teams. The Whalers won the home leg, 5-1, at Battery Park in New Bedford May 22, 1926. According to the Boston Globe, Jimmy Montgomerie “lost a penalty,” meaning he either missed a penalty kick or surrendered one – the Giants’ right back Charlie Kelly did convert a PK. The Whalers had two own goals, Neil Turner scored twice, and Andy Stevens (who totaled 44 goals in 39 league matches) converted just before the final whistle. [Read more…] about May 23, 1926 – New York Giants 3:0 (4:5 aggregate) New Bedford Whalers, Lewis Cup final at the Oval