May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
Fall River Rovers become first Massachusetts team to win National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) at J&P Coats Field in Pawtucket, R.I. U.S. national team captain Tommy Swords credited with goal at 30 seconds, though The Boston Globe story noted: “… this time it came 60 seconds after the ball was kicked off, on a drive 35 yards out, for which Duncan dove and barely missed.”
Spalding’s Annual by Charles Ashton Lovett: “A lone goal, tallied by the Rovers in the first minute of play through a daring, dashing attack decided the match, witnessed by some 7,500 fans who braved a stiff, cutting northeast wind and a drenching drizzle. Captain Thomas Swords of the Rovers netted the ball from a beautiful pass from center forward Francis M. Landy and, with a lightning boot, crossed the internationally famous Bethlehem goalie, William Duncan, almost before the shrill of the starting whistle had ceased to echo. Appropriate indeed that Swords should score that all-important goal – Swords, who captained so excellently the first international team from the United States, which compelled respect for American soccer football throughout all Europe by its triumphs in Sweden and Norway in the summer of 1916. … Bethlehem won the toss and chose to defend the south goal. Landy started the sphere a-rolling. The ball had not been soiled on the mud-surfaced field when Sullivan gained possession and passed to Landy, who deflected to Swords. With the entire defense line of the Bethlehem team before him, Captain Tommy inaugurated one of his thrilling, zig-zagging tears down the field. He eluded player after player until, within thirty feet [sic] of the Bethlehem goal, he cut loose a rifle shot that curved just out of Duncan’s reach and landed, as it proved, the great national trophy for the first time in the New England district. Swords was hugged and slapped appreciatively by turns as his teammates crowded ‘round him before returning to their positions. … [Fletcher] soon after play was resumed, tripping Swords, who fell violently and on recovery, seemed anxious, like his adversary, to engage in a sport apart from football.” Bethlehem took command and kept the pressure on Albion for most of the game. But Swords nearly doubled the lead, “when he took a pass from Sullivan and shot it with terrific force against the cross-bar” in the 71st minute.
“At the curtain’s fall, the Fall River followers set up a mighty din that continued unabated for fully fifteen minutes around the clubhouse. With the final whistle, the Rovers forgot for the moment their fatigue, their bruises and mud-bespattered condition and casting convention to the gale, hugged one another in their great joy.”
“Sinkey” Sullivan “is known as the ‘wild man’ of the Rovers. He is full of life and dash and is always doing something out of the ordinary. He is a whirlwind and he and Swords make one of the greatest goal getting duos in Uncle Sam’s domain.”
According to the National Challenge Cup Competition Committee Report, dated May 27, 1917: “The final game was played on a day when the rain fell from early morning right through the whole afternoon, yet there was 4,529 adults and 98 boys paid admission at the gates and the extra receipts from sale of grand stand and bleacher seats brought the total gate receipts to $2,582.60.
“Considering weather this really was a remarkable crowd and gate, most of the credit falling to our retiring President, who stirred up the interest by novel and personal advertising throughout New England.”
May 5, 1888 – Fall River Olympians 2:1 Fall River Rovers, Bristol County championship
May 5, 1940 – Pittsburgh Morgan Strasser 1:0 Fall River Firestone, U.S. Amateur Cup final
May 5, 1959 – Fall River’s Charlie McGill named ASL manager of the year
May 5, 1967 – Atlanta Chiefs 3:1 Toronto Falcons at Fenway Park (Att.: 6,298)
Jimmy Fund benefit game in rain storm. Roy Bloomfield finished a Ron Newman shot deflected off Bill Brown, then Newman earned two PKs, Bloomfield and Graham Newton converting. Lopez scored for Toronto. Roddy Pearce (Jamaica) commanded midfield , plus Ev Cummings and Emmet Kapengwe (Zambia) also, according to Seamus Malin (The Boston Globe). Phil Woosnam is player-coach and Mayor John Collins “to throw out the first ball,” according to Bob Sales stories.
May 5, 1974 – Boston Astros 1:3 Roechling Volklingen (Germany) at Nickerson Field (Att.: 3,800)
Goals: Helio Barbosa; Lothar Weschke, Gerd Paulus, Gilbert Dussier.
May 5, 1991 – U.S. 1:0 Uruguay at Mile High Stadium, Denver (Att.: 35,772)
Janusz Michallik international debut.
May 5, 2001 – Boston Breakers 0:1 Atlanta at Nickerson Field (Att.: 11,714)
Breakers’ home opener, largest stand-alone crowd for women’s club game. Spectators include Mayor Menino, Red Sox Nomar Garciaparra and Lou Merloni, former Patriot John Hannah, plus Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson.
May 5, 2007 – Clint Dempsey’s 69th-minute goal, his first for Fulham, keeps Cottagers in Premier League. Fulham FC 1:0 Liverpool FC
NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY