Frank Dell'Apa

Uncategorized

March 31, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 2:0 Pan-Americans, Times Cup (Att.: 2,000)

by

 

Goals from Underwood and Swords give Fall River Rovers a 2-0 win over the Pan-Americans before a 2,000 crowd. Less than two months later, the Rovers would go on to become the first New England team to win the U.S. Open Cup. Thomas Swords, a Fall River native who had captained the U.S. national team in its first game on a tour to Sweden in 1916, scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel for the U.S. Open Cup title in Pawtucket, R.I., on May 5, 1917.

Also on March 31, 1917: United Shoe MAA 10:0 Haverhill at McKay Street Grounds in Beverly (Alex Black 7 goals, Hollings 3); New Bedford 2:1 Compton (New Bedford maintained Southern New England League lead as Shaw scored twice).

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 30, 1924 – Snowing on their parade; Fall River Marksmen win 1st of 4 US Open Cup titles

by

Fall River knew how to celebrate a championship in the 1920s. The Fall River Marksmen won the double (American Soccer League and U.S. Open Cup), taking the first of their four Open Cup titles with a 4-2 win over Vesper Buick in St. Louis on March 30, 1924, then returning by train to a “raging snowstorm” and a “rousing reception” two days later.

“Despite the raging snowstorm … was accorded a rousing reception when it arrived home tonight, thousands of fans besieging the local railroad station and lining the streets. … [Read more…] about March 30, 1924 – Snowing on their parade; Fall River Marksmen win 1st of 4 US Open Cup titles

March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers (Att. 17,000)

by

Lewis Cup final at Mark’s Stadium, N. Tiverton, R.I. According to the Boston Globe: “Boston’s professional soccer team smashed all kinds of records … in the final game in the American League Cup Series, trimming Fall River’s crack eleven, 2 to 1, before the largest crowd that ever watched a soccer game in this country. There were 17,000 fans in Marks’ Stadium … every seat was occupied and every resting place on the fences was filled … ‘’ [Read more…] about March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers (Att. 17,000)

March 28, 1908 – Haverford Wins, 1 to 0, at Soccer Football

by

Harvard played its first official intercollegiate match three years earlier, losing, 1-0, to Haverford at Soldiers Field on April 1, 1905. At the turn of the century, “association football” (soccer) and American football were both being played in New England. Games were referred to as “football”/”foot ball,” which could have meant soccer or American football; in 1905, “soccer football” was used to distinguish the codes. Soccer seemed to be favored by The Boston Globe, judging by this editorial in Oct. 5 1888 editions about “foot ball” (in this case, soccer):

“Now, we have loved foot ball from of old. It is a beautiful, exciting game and is one of the few games now popular which combine a vigorous use of the muscles with good judgment and activity … Now and then we hear of a man getting hurt in the ‘rush,’ but, as far as brutality is concerned, foot ball is as free from the charge as is base ball or lawn tennis or bicycling. … Every healthy boy who goes to school loves foot ball. The lads with the hollow cheeks and small necks and narrow shoulders may prefer croquet and cigarettes to exercise, but every college graduate who has made his mark in the world and paid for his schooling by extra ability has been a lover of sport, and as a true sportsman, must have had a liking for foot ball. … the only way an active, healthy citizen should ‘kick’ at foot ball is at the ball on the open field and not at the game. We are glad the season is at hand and hope the interest will grow every year.”

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 27, 2004 – New Orleans Shellshockers 2:6 Revolution at Tulane University

by

 

The final game of the Revolution’s 2004 preseason campaign started badly. Jose “Pepe” Cancela and the Shellshockers’ Andrew Barron were red-carded by Bay State referee Erich Simmons following an 11th-minute altercation, and the Revolution fell behind, 1-0, after a 45th-minute penalty kick. Then, Carlos Llamosa sustained a season-ending knee injury late in the second half.

There was one major bright spot for the Revolution, though. Andy Dorman, a 79th-minute substitute for Clint Dempsey, scored in his first appearance, arriving late to camp after concluding studies at Boston University. Dorman went on to become a valuable addition to the Revolution midfield before departing on a free transfer to St. Mirren after the 2007 season. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 26, 2003 – Alajuelense 1:3 Revolution; 1st CONCACAF Champions Cup win

by

After falling, 4-0, to LD Alajuelense in the first leg at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto March 23, the Revolution became the “visiting” team three days later. Jay Heaps had been red-carded in the first leg, and was replaced at right back by Shalrie Joseph, making his Revolution debut. Taylor Twellman’s 18th-minute penalty kick got the Revolution started, Wolde Harris (53rd) and Pat Noonan (55th) cutting the aggregate deficit to 4-3. Alajuelense had altered the starting lineup, and likely entered the match overconfident, but made a key substitution as leading scorer Rolando Fonseca replaced Carlos Hernandez in the 52nd minute. Alajuelense earned a penalty kick on a Joseph 63rd-minute foul, Joseph and Daniel Hernandez (dissent) ejected during the sequence. Fonseca converted the penalty kick in the 65th minute and Alajuelense, playing with a two-man advantage, held on for a 5-3 aggregate victory.

The Revolution had virtually conceded the series by giving up home field advantage, but appeared to be on the verge of an upset before Salvadoran referee Rodolfo Sibrian’s call leading to Fonseca’s penalty kick. La Nacion assigned “7s” to both Guatemala’s Carlos Batres in the opening leg and Sibrian, who attended Boston College, in the return leg in the ratings.

Alajuelense’s squad included several Costa Rican national team members, including goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen and defender Luis Marin, who did not play in the second game; plus Alejandro Alpizar (who scored a 92nd-minute goal in the first leg), Steven Bryce, ex-LA Galaxy defender Pablo Chinchilla, Wilmer Lopez, ex-Columbus Crew forward Erick Scott, Fonseca and Hernandez. La Nacion’s highest-rated players were Fonseca and Harris, both receiving “8s” in the return leg. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 25, 2007 – Revolution 3:1 Olimpia, Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

by

New Orleans was still recovering, less than two years post-Hurricane Katrina, and this preseason game between the Revolution and CD Olimpia turned out to be unique among the sporting events related to the city’s rebuilding. Adam Cristman scored two goals, Andy Dorman one, for the Revolution (Argentinian Jose Pacini converted for Olimpia) before a predominantly Honduran 8,947 crowd that included Mayor Ray Nagin. Brad Knighton’s performance in goal also helped establish his status as a high-level backup.

The Revolution’s visit involved several New England connections. The trip was set up by New Orleans Shellshockers coach Kenny Farrell, a former Salem State star. The Revolution had conducted preseason training in New Orleans in 2004, and the venture had concluded with Carlos Llamosa’s season-ending knee injury on the turf at Tulane University in a game that included a 10th-minute ejection of Jose Cancela. After that experience, the Revolution were inclined to avoid New Orleans, but Farrell persuaded Steve Nicol to return, partly because Farrell pitched him on involving the Revolution in the city’s rehabilitation. Nicol was also convinced by the refurbishing of the soccer field at Tad Gormley Stadium, via a donation from the New Orleans’ Saints’ Reggie Bush (in ’04, most of the fields the Revolution trained on were poor quality). [Read more…] about March 25, 2007 – Revolution 3:1 Olimpia, Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans

March 24, 2012 – Saer Sene scores 2nd fastest goal at Gillette (28 seconds). Revolution 1:0 Portland Timbers

by

 

 

The New England Revolution have not scored a goal in a home-opener since Saer Sene’s decider against the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, a 449-minute scoreless streak. The Revolution defense has gone that streak one better, though, compiling a 450-minute home-opener shutout streak. Going into Saturday’s game against Minnesota United, the Revolution have compiled a 10-game (6-0-4) unbeaten streak in home-openers since 2006. Sene’s goal was his first in MLS and also the first Revolution goal in Jay Heaps’ coaching tenure. Sene went on to total 11 goals, but the Revolution failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third successive season in 2012. [Read more…] about March 24, 2012 – Saer Sene scores 2nd fastest goal at Gillette (28 seconds). Revolution 1:0 Portland Timbers

March 23, 1992 – Boston/Foxborough named among 9 venues for 1994 World Cup

by

Foxboro Stadium made a strong impression by attracting a 51,273 crowd for a U.S. v Ireland friendly (1-1) June 1, 1991, but the region was not considered an ideal venue by either FIFA or the U.S. Soccer Federation. But the Kraft family made a strong commitment to securing a bid, directing stadium manager Brian O’Donovan to make the World Cup a priority soon after purchasing the facility, and installing a grass field. FIFA proposed a 12-stadium World Cup, hoping to spread the event to an optimum number of venues, but ended up paring down, partly because some facilities were unavailable. Officials at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium could not accommodate the World Cup because of Major League Baseball scheduling conflicts (FIFA required a two-week-plus exclusive use minimum). Foxboro Stadium opened its doors to FIFA, and was able to attract six matches: four group games, plus a second-rounder and a quarterfinal. [Read more…] about March 23, 1992 – Boston/Foxborough named among 9 venues for 1994 World Cup

March 22, 1934 – RANGERS WIN N.E. SOCCER TITLE

by

The Worcester Rangers took a 2-1 win over Clan Robertsons of Dorchester in the New England amateur championship soccer game at Sullivan Square “before one of the largest crowds on the Charlestown ground this season,” according to the Boston Globe. [Read more…] about March 22, 1934 – RANGERS WIN N.E. SOCCER TITLE