Frank Dell'Apa

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March 16, 1930 – Fall River 1:1 aet Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup at Polo Grounds ‘One of the greatest games’

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This U.S. Open Cup match at the Polo Grounds “was one of the greatest games ever seen here,” according to the Boston Globe report. Attendance announced at 15,000, including 3,000 arriving from New England (the New York Giants averaged less than 12,000 attendance in both the 1929 and ’30 seasons at the Polo Grounds).

A replay was set at New Bedford next Sunday “by the committee of the National Cup.” Bethlehem Steel scored on an R. McAuley own goal after 12 minutes of the second half. “Stark had almost connected with Dick’s great center and McAuley’s lunge at the ball caused the deflection.” At 27 minutes, Alex McNab deadlocked. [Read more…] about March 16, 1930 – Fall River 1:1 aet Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup at Polo Grounds ‘One of the greatest games’

March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ POSTPONED

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“On account of ice and snow,” according to The Boston Globe report, likely penned by George M. Collins, who would become the manager of the U.S. team in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Clan Robertson of Dorchester and the Worcester Rangers were set to meet in the game. Also postponed was the Quincy Olympics v. Readville Carshops match at Merrymount Park. In a March 17, 1924 article entitled UNITED STATES SOCCER TEAM SHOULD MAKE A GOOD SHOWING, The Globe’s Collins expressed optimism in the U.S. chances at the 1924 Paris Olympics. [Read more…] about March 15, 1924 – OLYMPIC TRYOUT AT SULLIVAN SQ POSTPONED

March 14, 1967 – Sox, Patriots Back Stadium; Rival Planners Offer Help

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They were talking about a sports stadium in Boston 50 years ago, but finances, logistics and politics got in the way. In the late 1960s, several sites were being considered for a stadium, from Dedham to Dorchester (Neponset Circle) to Readville to Stoughton to Weston. Other possibilities included East Boston; Fenway; Newton (on the Woodland Golf Club grounds); South Boston (in 1946, Mayor Curley pushed a 75,000-capacity stadium for Columbus Park in Southie); South Station (stadium to be built on “stilts”); Walpole; Westwood-Canton; Wilmington. Also proposed were a $5 million expansion of White Stadium; a facility next to a planned “third harbor tunnel,” paid for by tolls; one of the Harbor Islands. [Read more…] about March 14, 1967 – Sox, Patriots Back Stadium; Rival Planners Offer Help

March 13, 1937 – “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape”

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Soccer games set for March 13, 1937 were called off because of snow, but a full schedule was played the following day. The Boston Globe story in March 14, 1937 editions previewing the American Professional League season-opener between Lusitania Recreation and the Boston Celtics noted: “Celts are on the spot and have to win this match or take an awful panning from the fans.” But the Lucy Recs took a 4-1 win over the Celtics in “the American Pro League opener” at Lincoln Park. “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape.”

Bobby Green scored three goals, Poly Guyda one for Lusitania. Mike McDonough converted for the Celtics. J. Lyons listed at rh in Celts lineup, could have been Jackie Lyons, who played in the 1928 Olympics. Poly Guyda played for the U.S. in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and went on to coach at Harvard.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.

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The New England Revolution played to their fourth successive scoreless draw in a home-opener. The Revolution extended their scoreless streak to 449 minutes, dating to Saer Sene’s first-minute goal in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, and their shutout streak to 450 minutes, in home-openers.

[Read more…] about March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.

March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford

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At least one soccer match was snowed out on the second Saturday in March, 1928. The next day, though, conditions improved enough for the Fall River Marksmen to play host to J&P Coats in an American Soccer League game in North Tiverton, R.I. The Marksmen took a 3-2 win over the Threadmen as Harold Brittan scored twice, heading in the deciding goal off a Dougie Campbell cross in the second half. [Read more…] about March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford

March 10, 1997 – Revolution trade Welton to Galaxy for draft pick; cut Iain Fraser, Aidan Heaney, Peter Woodring

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After a disastrous on-field performance during the Revolution’s inaugural season, the team went for a near complete restructuring. Only three starters from 1996 opening day (3-2 loss at Tampa Bay) remained – Mike Burns, Alexi Lalas and Alberto Naveda. [Read more…] about March 10, 1997 – Revolution trade Welton to Galaxy for draft pick; cut Iain Fraser, Aidan Heaney, Peter Woodring

March 9, 1924 – Soccer Fans Spent About $100,000 Going to that Game Yesterday

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That was the headline the day after Fall River defeated Bethlehem Steel. 2-0, in the National Challenge Cup Eastern final at Dexter Park in Brooklyn on March 9, 1924.

The Boston Globe story estimated 5,000 supporters had traveled from Fall River “and other Massachusetts towns,” a trip estimated to cost about $25 – teams and fans usually traveled by boat.

The match drew “a record crowd,” to Dexter Park, which had a 25,000 capacity. Attendance figures were not listed in the game story, but each club received about $2,500 in gate receipts. Later estimates were a 20,000 crowd.

The Marksmen’s direct play was effective because the field was muddy and “in deplorable condition.” Johnny Reid headed in a Dougie Campbell cross and Campbell finished a Frank McKenna free kick. Alec Lorimer (Fall River) and Tommy Maxwell (Bethlehem) were ejected.

Fall River owner Sam Mark, asked by the Globe’s George M. Collins about the upcoming final, responded: “Believe me, boy, there is no bigger game than this one for me. Beating Bethlehem Steel was our objective and we did it.”

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 8, 2006 – Alajuelense 1×0 Revolution

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This was the second time in four years the Revolution had been eliminated by Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Carlos “Zorro” Hernandez’ 90th-minute free kick made the difference after the teams had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg Feb. 22, 2006 in Hamilton, Bermuda. The first game was a “home” match for the Revolution, and playing at Bermuda’s national stadium seemed like a better strategy than the team had settled for three years earlier, both games being contested at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela. [Read more…] about March 8, 2006 – Alajuelense 1×0 Revolution

March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford

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The Boston Globe reported a record crowd of about 18,000 was expected for the match and, in a separate story, noted on March 7, 1925 the announcement: “The Fall River Herald broadcasting station, WTAB, on 266 meters, will broadcast the American League soccer football Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford at Providence tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.” [Read more…] about March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford