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
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
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
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
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
Diego Fagundez’ third-minute goal tied Shalrie Joseph (2011) for second-earliest goal in a Revolution season. The fastest remains Giovanni Savarese’s score after 22 seconds in the 1999 season-opener in Miami.
The Revolution’s inability to sustain the advantage indicated the team’s defensive problems, which would not be solved until late in the season.
Fagundez would go on to become the only Revolution player to participate in all 34 games (six goals) in the 2016 season. Fagundez, 22, who scored his first Revolution goal as a 16-year-old in 2011, ranks seventh on the all-time team scoring list with 34 goals. Chris Aduama photo
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
The New Bedford Whalers rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit to take a 4-3 win over Boston in an American Soccer League match at the Walpole Street Grounds. The “record” the Whalers apparently surpassed was earning their first win in Boston, according to the Boston Globe report. “The Woodsies” (nicknamed for owner A.G. Wood) took the lead on a Hampton own goal: “the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper proceeded to give Boston a goal by throwing the ball into his own net.” This was probably Colin Hampton MM, who played for Chelsea from 1914-24 (also serving in the Machine Gun Corps in Mesopotamia). Former Scottish international Alec McNab and Bobby Blair (38 goals in 38 games that season) upped the lead to 3-0. [Read more…] about March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records
Paul Keegan became the first of several Boston College players to join MLS teams, becoming a starter for the New England Revolution in their inaugural season. Keegan provided the 88th-minute deciding goal as the Revolution took a 2-1 win over the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl on the final day of the 1997 season, clinching the team’s first playoff berth.
Geoff Aunger and Mark Watson, along with Iain Fraser, made up the Revolution’s Canadian contingency in the team’s first season. Aunger scored the Revolution’s first goal in their inaugural home game, a 79th-minute penalty kick in a 1-1 draw with D.C. United, the Revolution winning the post-match shootout before a 32,864 crowd at Foxboro Stadium April 27, 1996. Aunger, who had playing for the Vancouver 86ers before being selected in the 13th round of the initial MLS Draft, provided consistency and leadership in midfield. Watson had been acquired from the Columbus Crew to provide depth in central defense behind Alexi Lalas and Francis Okaroh. [Read more…] about March 3, 1997 – Revolution waive Geoff Aunger and Mark Watson
Eight days after this transaction, Lee Nguyen made his New England Revolution debut as an opening day substitute for Fernando Cardenas, and has seldom been out of the lineup since. Revolution coach Jay Heaps has built the offense around Nguyen’s playmaking, Nguyen also developing into a finisher. Nguyen totaled 20 goals in the 2014 season, second-best in Revolution history behind Taylor Twellman’s 25 total (all competitions) in 2002. Nguyen has scored 43 goals in 178 games (all competitions), trailing Ralston (44) and Twellman (119) on the team’s all-time list. Last season, Nguyen was named team captain, and his role morphed into more of a pure attacking position, with Juan Agudelo filling the creator position. [Read more…] about March 2, 2012 – Revolution acquire Lee Nguyen on waivers from Vancouver