Frank Dell'Apa

American Soccer League

Sept. 27, 1928 – Soccer War declared

by

Bethlehem Steel, the New York Giants and Newark Skeeters defied an ASL vote to boycott the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) and were suspended from the league, kicking off a “Soccer War.”

According to The Boston Globe: “The seven remaining ASL delegates voted unanimously to uphold president Bill Cunningham’s decision to suspend Bethlehem, the New York Giants and Newark.” That included all five New England teams, represented by Sam Mark (Fall River), Dave Pomfret (New Bedford), Alec Cooper (J&P Coats), Bob MacDonald (Boston) and Sam Fletcher (Providence); plus E.J. Viberg (New York Nationals) and Nat Agar (Brooklyn Wanderers).

New York Nationals owner Horace Stoneham (who also owned baseball’s New York Giants) had been the strongest opponent of scheduling Challenge Cup matches during the ASL season. Ironically, Stoneham’s Nationals were the defending Cup champions. Stoneham’s idea was for the ASL to operate outside the constraints of the U.S. Football Association (now U.S. Soccer), which organized the Challenge Cup. The “Soccer War” lasted for more than a year, contributing to the downfall of the ASL.

Roger Allaway’s story for SASH: http://www.ussoccerhistory.org/what-was-the-soccer-war/

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

Sept. 21, 1949 – U.S. 5:2 Cuba, World Cup qualifying at Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City (Att.: 5,000)

by

Fall River’s John Souza scored the second goal as the U.S. took a 4-0 lead over the Cubans, virtually clinching a berth in the 1950 World Cup. The U.S. scorers were Walter Bahr (16th), Souza (23rd), Matevich (30th and 35th) and Frank “Pee Wee” Wallace (48th). The U.S. lineup also included Manuel Martin, Souza’s Ponta Delgada teammate. [Read more…] about Sept. 21, 1949 – U.S. 5:2 Cuba, World Cup qualifying at Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City (Att.: 5,000)

Sept. 20, 1930 – New Bedford Whalers 5:3 Newark Americans, National Challenge Cup

by

 

The New Bedford Whalers defeated the Americans despite a Bert Patenaude hat trick for Newark, both teams defying an ASL vote to boycott the cup. This was apparently a continuation of a controversy arising over ASL teams entering what is now called the U.S. Open Cup, leading to the Soccer War of 1928.  [Read more…] about Sept. 20, 1930 – New Bedford Whalers 5:3 Newark Americans, National Challenge Cup

Sept. 19, 1926 – Fall River FC 3:2 Sparta Prague/ Fall River FC 4:0 Springfield FC, ASL game at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 6,139)

by

The Fall River FC Marksmen lived up to their reputation as one of the top teams in the U.S. with a victory over Sparta Prague, which had a 12W-2L-3D record on a tour covering Sept. 6-Nov. 3, 1926. Before the match, the Boston Globe’s George M. Collins wrote: [Read more…] about Sept. 19, 1926 – Fall River FC 3:2 Sparta Prague/ Fall River FC 4:0 Springfield FC, ASL game at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 6,139)

Sept. 13, 1924 – Boston SC 2:1 Providence Clamdiggers, ASL opener at Walpole Street Grounds

by

Boston SC had recruited several top British players, including player-manager Tommy Muirhead from Rangers, for its inaugural season. [Read more…] about Sept. 13, 1924 – Boston SC 2:1 Providence Clamdiggers, ASL opener at Walpole Street Grounds

Sept. 5, 1929 – Fall River Marksmen 5:2 Brooklyn Hakoah All Stars, ASL match “first night game in the history of the game here”

by

Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude scored twice and Bill McPherson added a penalty kick for the Marksmen in an ASL match under the lights.

The first night soccer game in history was contested in Sheffield, England, on Oct. 14, 1878. [Read more…] about Sept. 5, 1929 – Fall River Marksmen 5:2 Brooklyn Hakoah All Stars, ASL match “first night game in the history of the game here”

Aug. 23, 1924 – USFA meeting at Hotel Wolcott in New York to discuss “Reported jumping of contracts by professionals and possible methods of meeting these conditions.”

by

The Boston Wonder Workers helped spark a controversy by recruiting Scottish players for the initial season in the American Soccer League in 1924-25. Rangers captain Tommy Muirhead, who joined the Wonder Workers as player-coach, and Scottish international Alex McNab (Morton) were out of contract, and fullback Tommy McMillan (Dunfermline) was considered a free transfer. [Read more…] about Aug. 23, 1924 – USFA meeting at Hotel Wolcott in New York to discuss “Reported jumping of contracts by professionals and possible methods of meeting these conditions.”

Aug. 22, 1973 – Connecticut Wildcats 1:0 Boston Astros at Dillon Stadium (Att.: 10,093)

by

U.S. national team forward Benny Brewster’s 79th-minute goal made the difference. Brewster, born in Newton, Mass., played at Brown University, then played professionally with the Boston Astros, Wildcats, Boston Minutemen, Tacoma Tides and New England Tea Men before going on to a success coaching career with Boston College. [Read more…] about Aug. 22, 1973 – Connecticut Wildcats 1:0 Boston Astros at Dillon Stadium (Att.: 10,093)