Harry Burness played for the Boston Wonder Workers and other teams in the ASL, his career continuing into the ‘40s. His brother, Gordon Burness (1907-89), played for the U.S. national team and resided in Needham, Mass., while working for Exxon Oil Co. [Read more…] about Aug. 16, 1944 – Lt. Henry E. “Harry” Burness, serving in U.S. Army, killed in action in France
New Bedford Whalers’ captain Jimmy Montgomerie potential tying goal hits bar and disallowed. Montgomerie then “rushed at the arbiter and was put out of the game.” Goals: Fitzpatrick, Dick, Paterson; Florie, Toner. [Read more…] about Aug. 14, 1929 – Providence Gold Bugs 3:2 New Bedford Whalers
Gambian Charlie Thomas, a former Harvard star, scored the first goal off a Clair De Boer rebound for the Boston Astros. Itamar Alves broke a 1-1 halftime deadlock in 49th minute. Myles “Dusty” Richard (who went on to coach at The Brooks School, guiding players such as Charlie Davies and Mike Fucito), was the Astros’ only U.S.-born player, according to Bob Monahan in The Boston Globe. [Read more…] about June 24, 1972 – Boston Astros 5:1 Delaware Wings, ASL game at Everett Memorial Stadium (Att.: 800)
This match proved to be a showcase for Fall River’s Joe Kennaway, who became Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39, after John Thomson, 22, sustained a fatal injury in a game against Rangers. [Read more…] about May 31, 1931 – Fall River FC 1:0 Glasgow Celtic at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 7,000)
George M. Collins “declares” the USFA would “have to accept all professional [leagues] on equal footing,” during the 12th annual meeting of the group at the Astor Hotel in New York. (Associated Press) [Read more…] about May 18, 1925 – American Soccer League accepted as full member of United States FA
Billy Gonsalves, Alex McNab and Bert Patenaude led the way for St. Louis Central Breweries in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. [Read more…] about May 12, 1935 – St. Louis Central Breweries 1:3 [7:6] Pawtucket Rangers, U.S. Open Cup final at Newark School Stadium (Att.: 3,000)
Six-year National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) championship streak snapped for Shamrocks’ Billy Gonsalves and Alex McNab.
Gonsalves and McNab had teamed to win the title with the Fall River Marksmen, New Bedford Whalers, St. Louis Stix, Baer & Fuller and St. Louis Central Breweries from 1930-35. [Read more…] about May 3, 1936 – Philadelphia German-Americans 3:0 (5:2) St. Louis Shamrocks, National Challenge Cup final (Att.: 10,000)
Professional soccer games were played at both the Cycledrome and Kinsley Park in Providence in the 1920s and ‘30s. Kinsley Park (capacity 6,000 est.) was demolished in 1933 and the Cycledrome (capacity 10,000) in 1937. [Read more…] about May 2, 1926 – Providence Clamdiggers 2:2 Hakoah Vienna at Cycledrome (Att.: 6,000)
Boston Bolts take first “victory,” the result against the Orlando Lions decided by post-match penalty kicks during a rainstorm at Nickerson Field. [Read more…] about April 30, 1988 – Boston Bolts 1:1 Orlando Lions, Bolts’ inaugural home match (Att.: 4,028)
The Boston Bolts had only three returning players from the 1989 ASL title game for their home-opener, which attracted a record crowd, according to Joe Burris’ story in The Boston Globe. The Strikers took a two-goal lead before Koziol scored off a Janusz Michallik-Ian Hennessy combination. [Read more…] about April 28, 1990 – Boston Bolts 1:2 Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at Nickerson Field (Att.: 6,648)