Frank Dell'Apa

Professional Soccer

March 14, 1967 – Sox, Patriots Back Stadium; Rival Planners Offer Help

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They were talking about a sports stadium in Boston 50 years ago, but finances, logistics and politics got in the way. In the late 1960s, several sites were being considered for a stadium, from Dedham to Dorchester (Neponset Circle) to Readville to Stoughton to Weston. Other possibilities included East Boston; Fenway; Newton (on the Woodland Golf Club grounds); South Boston (in 1946, Mayor Curley pushed a 75,000-capacity stadium for Columbus Park in Southie); South Station (stadium to be built on “stilts”); Walpole; Westwood-Canton; Wilmington. Also proposed were a $5 million expansion of White Stadium; a facility next to a planned “third harbor tunnel,” paid for by tolls; one of the Harbor Islands. [Read more…] about March 14, 1967 – Sox, Patriots Back Stadium; Rival Planners Offer Help

March 13, 1937 – “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape”

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Soccer games set for March 13, 1937 were called off because of snow, but a full schedule was played the following day. The Boston Globe story in March 14, 1937 editions previewing the American Professional League season-opener between Lusitania Recreation and the Boston Celtics noted: “Celts are on the spot and have to win this match or take an awful panning from the fans.” But the Lucy Recs took a 4-1 win over the Celtics in “the American Pro League opener” at Lincoln Park. “Despite the snowstorm of the previous day the pitch was in great shape.”

Bobby Green scored three goals, Poly Guyda one for Lusitania. Mike McDonough converted for the Celtics. J. Lyons listed at rh in Celts lineup, could have been Jackie Lyons, who played in the 1928 Olympics. Poly Guyda played for the U.S. in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and went on to coach at Harvard.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.

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The New England Revolution played to their fourth successive scoreless draw in a home-opener. The Revolution extended their scoreless streak to 449 minutes, dating to Saer Sene’s first-minute goal in a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers March 24, 2012, and their shutout streak to 450 minutes, in home-openers.

[Read more…] about March 12, 2016 – Earliest Revolution home-opener. Revolution 0x0 D.C. Utd.

March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford

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At least one soccer match was snowed out on the second Saturday in March, 1928. The next day, though, conditions improved enough for the Fall River Marksmen to play host to J&P Coats in an American Soccer League game in North Tiverton, R.I. The Marksmen took a 3-2 win over the Threadmen as Harold Brittan scored twice, heading in the deciding goal off a Dougie Campbell cross in the second half. [Read more…] about March 11, 1928 — Snowfall Too Heavy for Boston-New Bedford

March 10, 1997 – Revolution trade Welton to Galaxy for draft pick; cut Iain Fraser, Aidan Heaney, Peter Woodring

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After a disastrous on-field performance during the Revolution’s inaugural season, the team went for a near complete restructuring. Only three starters from 1996 opening day (3-2 loss at Tampa Bay) remained – Mike Burns, Alexi Lalas and Alberto Naveda. [Read more…] about March 10, 1997 – Revolution trade Welton to Galaxy for draft pick; cut Iain Fraser, Aidan Heaney, Peter Woodring

March 9, 1924 – Soccer Fans Spent About $100,000 Going to that Game Yesterday

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That was the headline the day after Fall River defeated Bethlehem Steel. 2-0, in the National Challenge Cup Eastern final at Dexter Park in Brooklyn on March 9, 1924.

The Boston Globe story estimated 5,000 supporters had traveled from Fall River “and other Massachusetts towns,” a trip estimated to cost about $25 – teams and fans usually traveled by boat.

The match drew “a record crowd,” to Dexter Park, which had a 25,000 capacity. Attendance figures were not listed in the game story, but each club received about $2,500 in gate receipts. Later estimates were a 20,000 crowd.

The Marksmen’s direct play was effective because the field was muddy and “in deplorable condition.” Johnny Reid headed in a Dougie Campbell cross and Campbell finished a Frank McKenna free kick. Alec Lorimer (Fall River) and Tommy Maxwell (Bethlehem) were ejected.

Fall River owner Sam Mark, asked by the Globe’s George M. Collins about the upcoming final, responded: “Believe me, boy, there is no bigger game than this one for me. Beating Bethlehem Steel was our objective and we did it.”

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 8, 2006 – Alajuelense 1×0 Revolution

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This was the second time in four years the Revolution had been eliminated by Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Carlos “Zorro” Hernandez’ 90th-minute free kick made the difference after the teams had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg Feb. 22, 2006 in Hamilton, Bermuda. The first game was a “home” match for the Revolution, and playing at Bermuda’s national stadium seemed like a better strategy than the team had settled for three years earlier, both games being contested at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela. [Read more…] about March 8, 2006 – Alajuelense 1×0 Revolution

March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford

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The Boston Globe reported a record crowd of about 18,000 was expected for the match and, in a separate story, noted on March 7, 1925 the announcement: “The Fall River Herald broadcasting station, WTAB, on 266 meters, will broadcast the American League soccer football Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford at Providence tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.” [Read more…] about March 7, 1925 – WTAB will broadcast the Cup semifinal between Fall River and New Bedford

March 6, 2016 – Diego Fagundez scores in 3rd minute. Houston 3×3 Revolution

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Diego Fagundez’ third-minute goal tied Shalrie Joseph (2011) for second-earliest goal in a Revolution season. The fastest remains Giovanni Savarese’s score after 22 seconds in the 1999 season-opener in Miami.

The Revolution’s inability to sustain the advantage indicated the team’s defensive problems, which would not be solved until late in the season.

Fagundez would go on to become the only Revolution player to participate in all 34 games (six goals) in the 2016 season. Fagundez, 22, who scored his first Revolution goal as a 16-year-old in 2011, ranks seventh on the all-time team scoring list with 34 goals. Chris Aduama photo

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records

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The New Bedford Whalers rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit to take a 4-3 win over Boston in an American Soccer League match at the Walpole Street Grounds. The “record” the Whalers apparently surpassed was earning their first win in Boston, according to the Boston Globe report. “The Woodsies” (nicknamed for owner A.G. Wood) took the lead on a Hampton own goal: “the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper proceeded to give Boston a goal by throwing the ball into his own net.” This was probably Colin Hampton MM, who played for Chelsea from 1914-24 (also serving in the Machine Gun Corps in Mesopotamia). Former Scottish international Alec McNab and Bobby Blair (38 goals in 38 games that season) upped the lead to 3-0. [Read more…] about March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records