Frank Dell'Apa

Professional Soccer

July 29, 2001 – Boston Breakers 2:1 Washington Freedom, WUSA game at Nickerson Field (Att.: 11,681)

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Kristine Lilly set up Dagney Mellgren for goals in the 25th and 44th minutes as the Breakers (6W-9L-3D, 21 points) pulled within two points of a playoff berth before a capacity crowd. The match had been sold out for a month, partly because of the arrival of the Freedom’s Mia Hamm, whose future husband, Nomar Garciaparra, would hit a home run in a 4-3 Red Sox win over the Chicago White Sox in a game played simultaneously just down Commonwealth Avenue at Fenway Park. [Read more…] about July 29, 2001 – Boston Breakers 2:1 Washington Freedom, WUSA game at Nickerson Field (Att.: 11,681)

July 27, 2003 – Ronaldinho makes Barcelona debut

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The 32.25 million euro transfer of Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain to Barcelona was concluded on July 21, but Ronaldinho was not planning to compete for Barça in the U.S. Promoters insisted Ronaldinho appear in the match, and they had their way as he replaced Oscar Lopez in the second half of a 2-2 draw with Juventus. [Read more…] about July 27, 2003 – Ronaldinho makes Barcelona debut

July 26, 2009 – Inter 2:0 Milan at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 42,531), city rivals in rare meeting outside Milan

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Diego Milito outmaneuvered Oguchi Onyewu in the fourth minute and finished a Dejan Stankovic square ball in the 75th minute before a record crowd for a friendly match involving club teams in the Boston area. [Read more…] about July 26, 2009 – Inter 2:0 Milan at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 42,531), city rivals in rare meeting outside Milan

July 25, 2012 – AS Roma 2:1 Liverpool FC at Fenway Park (Att.: 37,169)

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Two clubs financed by Boston-based owners (John Henry, James Pallotta) met in a preseason match that was being proposed as a regular event. Goals from Michael Bradley (63rd minute) and Alessandro Florenzi (69th) gave Roma the advantage, then Liverpool substitute Charlie Adam (80th) cut the deficit. [Read more…] about July 25, 2012 – AS Roma 2:1 Liverpool FC at Fenway Park (Att.: 37,169)

July 23, 1997 – Revolution 0:1 Palmeiras at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 19,623)

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Substitute striker Euller’s 71st-minute goal off a clearance made the difference for Palmeiras, which was playing a long ball game under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Palmeiras’ roster included 1994 World Cup champion Zinho, a second half substitute, and 20-year-old central defender Roque Junior, who would be transferred to Milan three years later.

The match was a warmup for the Reebok Cup, sponsored by the Stoughton-based company. Palmeiras drew with Junior (2-2) in Miami and lost to Necaxa (4-1) in Chicago. A brawl broke out in the Palmeiras-Junior match, a Palmeiras trainer appearing to threaten a Junior player with a scalpel, coach Julio Cesar Uribe red-carded after punching a Palmeiras player.

From my Boston Globe story:

“The team is adjusting to the style of new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, plus the addition of several new players, including World Cup ’94 starter Zinho. However, Scolari’s intentions seem to be to impose the combative, direct style which earned him success at Gremio Porto Alegre.”

Scolari would go on to guide Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title but his return to the team ended in losses to Germany (7-1) in the semifinals and The Netherlands (3-0) in the third-place game in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

July 21, 2010 – Celtic FC 1:1 Sporting CP at Fenway Park (Att.: 32,161)

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Celtic’s Georgios Samaras opened the scoring with a 72nd-minute penalty kick and Helder Postiga’s 81st-minute header equalized. Paul McGowan scored the deciding shootout goal for Celtic, which was playing at Fenway Park for the first time since 1931. Celtic has a 1W-3L-2D record in New England since 1930.

This was the first Fenway soccer match since 1968, when Santos FC defeated the Boston Beacons, 7-1, before an 18,431 crowd. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

July 18, 1975 – Boston Astros 1:1 Rhode Island Oceaneers, Astros’ debut at Foley Stadium in Worcester

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The Boston Astros (9W-3L-8D, 26 points) ended up ahead of the Oceaneers (8-3-9, 25) and Connecticut Yankees (9-6-5, 23) in the North Division, then became ASL co-champion after playing to 2-2 and 1-1 draws (plus nine 7 minute, 30 seconds extra time sessions) with the New York Apollo. [Read more…] about July 18, 1975 – Boston Astros 1:1 Rhode Island Oceaneers, Astros’ debut at Foley Stadium in Worcester

July 16, 1972 – SL Benfica 2:2 Sporting CP. First soccer game at Schaefer (Foxboro) Stadium

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Eusebio scored twice for Benfica in a Sunday afternoon exhibition involving Lisbon’s rival clubs. Marinho opened the scoring in the sixth minute for Sporting. Eusebio equalized (43rd minute) and broke the deadlock (80th), then Fernando Peres converted an 84th-minute penalty kick for Sporting. [Read more…] about July 16, 1972 – SL Benfica 2:2 Sporting CP. First soccer game at Schaefer (Foxboro) Stadium

July 14, 2007 – Steve Ralston sets MLS record with 115th assist

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Steve Ralston surpassed Carlos Valderrama on the MLS career assist list in his 354th game, starting the sequence leading to Andy Dorman’s 38th-minute goal as the New England Revolution took a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls. [Read more…] about July 14, 2007 – Steve Ralston sets MLS record with 115th assist

July 13, 2011 – Revolution 1:4 Manchester United (Att.: 51,523)

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Manchester United dominated as the largest crowd for a Revolution friendly arrived at Gillette Stadium. 19-year-old Federico Macheda scored twice for the Red Devils, making their fourth New England appearance in 61 years. Man United’s previous visits included victories by 2-0 over the New England All-Stars (just before the 1950 World Cup, sort of a preview of the U.S. upset victory over England in Belo Horizonte); 11-1 over the Fall River All-Stars in 1952; and 7-0 over Fall River SC in 1960. [Read more…] about July 13, 2011 – Revolution 1:4 Manchester United (Att.: 51,523)