June 1, 1991 – U.S. 1:1 Ireland at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 51,273). First full international in Massachusetts
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 […]
May 31, 1992 – Italy 0:0 Portugal, U.S. Cup at Yale Bowl (Att.: 38,833)
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 […]
May 30, 1931 – New York Yankees 4:3 Glasgow Celtic at Fenway Park (Att.: 8,000)
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 […]
May 29, 1925 – ‘The Boston Soccer Social Club will hold a special meeting tonight’
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 […]
May 28, 2005 – Clint Dempsey scores first international goal
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 […]
May 27, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores only goal for U.S. in World Cup opener
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 […]