Werner “Scotty” Nilsen headed a Tommy Fleming cross past Joe Kennaway in the 16th minute for the Boston Wonder Workers. [Read more…] about Sept. 29, 1928 – Boston Wonder Workers 1:0 Providence Clamdiggers, Walpole St. Grounds
ASL
Sept. 27, 1928 – Soccer War declared
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. 26, 1965 – Philadelphia Ukrainians 1:2 Boston Tigers, ASL game (Att.: 5,000)
Jorge Piotti’s 89th-minute goal broke the deadlock as the Boston Tigers defeated the defending ASL champion Ukrainians. [Read more…] about Sept. 26, 1965 – Philadelphia Ukrainians 1:2 Boston Tigers, ASL game (Att.: 5,000)
Sept. 21, 1949 – U.S. 5:2 Cuba, World Cup qualifying at Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City (Att.: 5,000)
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
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)
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. 17, 1921 – American Soccer League inaugural games
Colin Jose’s American Soccer League 1921-31/The Golden Years of American Soccer termed this season: “Year One – 1921-22 – A Quiet Beginning.” [Read more…] about Sept. 17, 1921 – American Soccer League inaugural games
Sept. 13, 1924 – Boston SC 2:1 Providence Clamdiggers, ASL opener at Walpole Street Grounds
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”
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. 26, 1989 – Boston Bolts 2:0 (0:1 “mini-game”) Fort Lauderdale Strikers, ASL final at Nickerson Field (Att.: 5,370)
Steve Potter and Paul Duffy scored second-half goals as the Bolts took a 2-0 win over the Strikers, evening the series at 1-1. The Strikers then won, 1-0, on Marcelo Carrera’s eighth-minute goal in a 30-minute “mini-game.” Carrera, who began his career with Independiente in Argentina, went on to play for the Columbus Crew in MLS and Strikers coach Thomas Rongen guided the Revolution to their first playoff appearance in 1997. [Read more…] about Aug. 26, 1989 – Boston Bolts 2:0 (0:1 “mini-game”) Fort Lauderdale Strikers, ASL final at Nickerson Field (Att.: 5,370)