Frank Dell'Apa

Professional Soccer

Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

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Not many players in Revolution history displayed greater composure in midfield than Ousmane Dabo, though not enough people had a chance to see him demonstrate his ability in New England. When Dabo was 21, he was transferred from Rennes to Inter for 9 million euros. A 31-year-old Roberto Baggio (2.5m euros) and a 19-year-old Andrea Pirlo (2m euros) were among Inter’s midfield newcomers that year. Dabo became a valuable journeyman holding midfielder, learning the trade with several Serie A clubs, winning Coppa Italia twice, plus the 2003 Confederations Cup with France. Dabo also made a stop at Manchester City, where he played under Stuart Pearce and also absorbed a major cheap shot from teammate Joey Barton during a training session.

[Read more…] about Feb. 11, 2011 – Revolution acquire SS Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo

Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

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Still difficult to fathom how Dallas could have passed up Twellman with the MLS’ first pick, though No. 1 pick Chris Gbandi (currently Northeastern’s head coach) always impressed me as an outside back. Revolution coach Fernando Clavijo needed only a few minutes to decide what he would do if Twellman was available, as described in excerpts of my story in the 1/12/2002 editions of the Boston Globe below.

Twellman went on to score 101 goals in 174 regular-season games, his .581 scoring rate best among MLS’ top 10 career scorers. Raul Diaz Arce is No. 2 on the Revolution scoring rate list (.556), Joe-Max Moore No. 3 (.459). Twellman converted another 10 goals in 21 playoff games and totaled 119 goals in 211 appearances in all competitions for the Revolution. [Read more…] about Feb. 10, 2002 – Revolution select Taylor Twellman No. 2, Shalrie Joseph in 2nd round of MLS SuperDraft

Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’

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Bobby Blair scored twice as J&P Coats took a 3-0 win over the Providence Gold Bugs, remaining unbeaten in the second half of the ASL season in “a contest which brought about the biggest crowd and best soccer of the current season,” according to 2/10/29 editions of the Boston Globe. Providence’s Joe Kennaway would go on to become Celtic FC goalkeeper from 1931-39.

On the same day, the Boston Wonder Workers were upset, 4-3, by Jersey City at the Walpole Street Grounds. The visitors from Skeeterville “inject(ed) Jimmy Douglas, Olympic goalie of 1924 into their lineup” and “deserved to win,” according to the Globe account. “The field was heavy, in fact it was ankle deep in mud …” [Read more…] about Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’

Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Former U.S. national team captain John Harkes played an important role as the New England Revolution compiled their first .500 record for an MLS regular season in 2000. But after the Revolution got off to a six-game losing streak in 2001, Harkes departed for Columbus. Harkes finished with two goals in 55 appearances for the Revolution.

The Revolution team that began the 2000 season included several players who went on to become coaches, Leonel Alvarez (Colombia) and Mauricio Wright (Costa Rica) winning championships. Harkes made his coaching debut with FC Cincinnati last year, guiding the team to third place in the Eastern Conference. [Read more…] about Feb. 8, 2000 – John Harkes reports to Revolution camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Feb. 7, 1925 — “Will there be another 14,000 crowd this time?”

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That was the question in The Boston Globe story after J&P Coats qualified for a showdown with the Fall River Marksmen in the U.S. Open Cup. J&P Coats had blanked the Newark Skeeters, 5-0, as Johnny Harvey scored three goals in Pawtucket, R.I., in a Feb. 7 match.

The next day, the ASL’s top teams, the Fall River Marksmen and Bethlehem Steel played to a 2-2 draw before a 10,000 crowd at Mark’s Stadium in North Tiverton, R.I. Archie Stark scored one of his 67 regular-season goals for Bethlehem. Stark would go on to convert four goals as the U.S. took a 6-1 win over Canada in an international friendly in Brooklyn in November. The Marksmen went on to record a 19W-0L-3D record at home, totaling 66 points in 44 games, and edging Bethlehem by 3 points for first place. The Globe’s George M. Collins wrote. “The soccer men who are crying ‘Do not play any American League games in January and February’ should have been at Tiverton, R.I. …”

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY

Feb. 6, 2000 – Revolution select Rusty Pierce in MLS draft, acquire Wolde Harris

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Rusty Pierce played an important part in the New England Revolution’s transformative years, providing a spirited presence on the back line, and becoming a crowd favorite. Pierce brought a passionate approach to the field. I used to try to keep track of practice skirmishes between players, and Pierce was involved in many of them, both with teammates and opposition. Pierce concluded his time with the Revolution fourth on the career all competitions appearances list with 113 in 2004.

[Read more…] about Feb. 6, 2000 – Revolution select Rusty Pierce in MLS draft, acquire Wolde Harris

Feb. 5, 1928 – Providence Clamdiggers 3×1 J&P Coats

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Soccer was thriving and the U.S. was producing goal-scorers during the 1927-28 American Soccer League season. In this game, Tommy Florie would score Providence’s third goal on an 82nd-minute penalty kick and New Bedford-born Arnie Oliver would convert for the “JayPees.” Both Florie and Oliver led their team in scoring that season, and went on to join the U.S. national team for the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay.

Three of the ASL’s top eight scorers were U.S.-born, and others, such as Johnny Nelson and Archie Stark, had moved to the U.S. as teenagers. [Read more…] about Feb. 5, 1928 – Providence Clamdiggers 3×1 J&P Coats