Diego Fagundez tied Shalrie Joseph (2011) for the New Engand Revolution’s second-fastest, MLS season-opening goal, behind Giovanni Savarese (first minute, 1999). [Read more…] about March 6, 2016 – Diego Fagundez scores in 3rd minute. Houston 3:3 Revolution (Att.: 21,594)
Jermaine Jones sparked the Revolution to their fifth MLS Cup appearance in 2014, then was slowed by injuries and received a major salary reduction before being dealt to the Rapids. On the day of the Jones deal, the Revolution acquired Jamaican national team captain Je-Vaughn Watson from FC Dallas. [Read more…] about March 4, 2016 – Revolution trade Jermaine Jones to Colorado Rapids
The Fall River Rovers advanced in the American Association Cup semifinals, going on to win the 1888 championship. [Read more…] about March 3, 1888 – Fall River Rovers 6:1 Kearney Rangers at Bedford Street Grounds (Att. 2,000-plus)
Lee Nguyen became one of the few players the Revolution have taken off waivers, presenting a bargain basement deal at a $55,000 salary. Nguyen has gone on to become the team’s second all-time leading scorer with 51 goals (behind Taylor Twellman’s 101) in MLS games. Only Twellman (25 goals in 2002) and Nguyen (20 in 2014) have scored 20-plus goals in a season for the Revolution. Nguyen is sixth on the all-time games played list with 191. [Read more…] about March 2, 2012 – Revolution acquire Lee Nguyen on waivers from Vancouver
The German SC (Castle Shannon, Pa.) team included Aldo “Buff” Donelli, the U.S. national team’s star striker during the 1934 World Cup, who would go on to play and coach the Pittsburgh Steelers, also coaching Boston University and Columbia football teams. Castle Shannon fell to eventual champion Sparta Garden City in the semifinals. South Sides (St. Louis) Alex McNab played for six successive National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) champions, starting with Fall River in 1930. [Read more…] about Feb. 20, 1938 – South Sides (St. Louis) 2:4 German SC, U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals
“It was the first soccer game played here in almost three months, owing to unfavorable weather conditions.” The Rovers would go on to eliminate the Pan-Americans in the third round of the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup), 3-1, on March 23, 1918. The Rovers, reigning Cup champions, went on to a finals rematch, falling to Bethlehem Steel. The Rovers were led by Tommy Swords, who captained the U.S. in its first FIFA-affiliated international in 1916.
Feb. 18, 2002 – Ponte Preta 0:1 Revolution at Lix da Cunha, Brazil [Read more…] about Feb. 18, 1918 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Pan-Americans, exhibition
Freddie Wall scores twice as Philadelphia FC hands Providence Clam Diggers their only home defeat of second half of ASL season. Wall, born in Fall River, finished seventh in the ASL with 22 goals in 25 games, playing for the Newark Skeeters and Philadelphia, that season. Wall, born in Fall River, Mass., also played for local clubs such as Lusitania Recreation in East Cambridge and was part of a generation that included proven goal-scorers on the international stage, such as Barney Battles, Davey Brown, Jim Brown, Buff Donelli, Tommy Florie, Billy Gonsalves, Arnie Oliver, Bert Patenaude, Archie Stark, et al.
According to The Boston Globe: “The Phils’ center-forward almost won the game single-handed when he scored two goals and passed to Wardrop a third.” For the deciding goal, Wall outmaneuvered Joe Kennaway, who would go on to be Celtic FC’s starting goalkeeper from 1931-39.
Bethlehem Steel 5×1 Walsh Chevrolet, National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup)
The same day, “18-year-old goalie” Johnny Reder of Fall River “was sensational” playing for Walsh Chevrolet. Reder, born in Lublin, Poland, Sept. 24, 1909, according to Colin Jose’s “American Soccer League 1921-1931,” went on to a two-sport professional career, playing for three ASL teams and as a first baseman/third baseman for the Boston Red Sox. Reder also was named MVP of the NY-Penn League while playing for the Williamsport Grays in 1935.
J&P Coats 3:1 Boston Wonder Workers
New Bedford Whalers 5:3 New York Nationals
Feb. 16, 1924 – Armenian-Americans “13th team of ‘nationalities’ to join district leagues in Boston area
NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Bert Patenaude scores both Fall River goals past Kennaway. Scheduled opponent, Velez Sarsfield, delayed by “railway mishap in Texas … en route to the East.” Velez, a team that included players from Argentina’s 1930 World Cup team that defeated the U.S., 6-1, in the semifinals, arrived for a Feb. 22, 1931 match. Both goalkeepers — Joe Kennaway (Celtic FC) and Johnny Reder (first baseman for the Boston Red Sox) — would change teams in 1932. Jeremiah Best scored twice and Watson one goal for the All-Stars.
Feb. 15, 1925 – Fall River 3:0 J&P Coats. Lewis Cup game at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 12,000)
“… all hopes of a record-breaking crowd for a soccer game in this country were dashed with the heavy rain that fell just before game time in Tiverton.”
According to The Boston Globe: “Boston’s 2-0 victory (over the New York Giants) means three teams out of the four remaining in this professional Cup series, making clearer the argument that New England teams are the game’s best supports (sic) from both a playing and financial point of view.”
New York Giants 0:2 Boston Wonder Workers, Lewis Cup match (Att.: 1,500)
Goals: Stevens, Fleming. Note: Battles hits bar early
Feb. 15, 2011 – Revolution sign Argentinian defender Franco Coria
NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Kristine Lilly inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame, along with Bob Bradley and Brian McBride.
[Read more…] about Feb. 14, 2014 – Kristine Lilly inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame
Ponta Delgada captured this first-round National Open Cup (U.S. Open Cup) series after three games, totaling 6 hours, 34 minutes of playing time. [Read more…] about Feb. 13, 1938 – Ponta Delgada 2:1 (7:6 aggregate) Lusitania Recreation SC at Bigberry Stadium (Att.: 3,000)