Former University of Rhode Island and Jamaican national team star Andy Williams scored both goals as the New England Revolution advanced to the U.S. Open Cup final for the first time. [Read more…] about Aug. 22, 2001 – Revolution 2:0 D.C. United, U.S. Open Cup semifinals, last Revolution game at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 7,128)
Eusebio scored twice for Benfica against Sporting in a rematch of the Taça de Portugal in a Sunday afternoon exhibition. Marinho’s penalty kick opened the scoring (6’). Eusebio equalized (43’) and broke the deadlock (80’), then Fernando Peres converted (84’). [Read more…] about July 16, 1972 – SL Benfica 2:2 Sporting CP. First soccer game at Schaefer (Foxboro) Stadium (Att.: 24,396*)
SL Benfica attracted the largest soccer crowd of the day, greater than World Cup matches in France (Chile v Italy in Bordeaux, Austria v Cameroon in Toulouse). Carlos Rocha opened the scoring, then Bolivian Erwin “Platini” Sanchez converted free kicks in the 76th and 87th minutes for Benfica. This was Benfica’s first Foxborough appearance since 1972. Benfica has a 4W-1L-1D record at Foxboro/Gillette stadia. Goals: Carlos Rocha 53’; Sanchez 76’, 87’. Note: Oscar Pareja’s Revolution debut. [Read more…] about June 11, 1998 – Revolution 1:2 Benfica, Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 35,136)
Medford, Mass., businessman Victor Baptista commissioned the Eusebio statue that stands outside Benfica’s Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Another casting of the Eusebio statue was installed at Gillette Stadium until being moved to Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass., in 2015.
Jan. 25, 1942 – Eusebio da Silva Ferreira born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique
Jan. 25, 1925 – Fall River 3:2 [aet] Providence, ASL Cup first round match (Att.: 7,331)
Goals: Morley, McPherson (PK), McGowan; Best, Abdallah
Brooklyn Wanderers 1:2 New Bedford, ASL Cup match
Goals: Jimmy Montgomerie (PK), Jock Marshall (og); Marshall
Chris Aduama photos
NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Jan. 5, 2012 – Revolution name Jay Miller assistant coach and former Revolution defender Nick Downing strength coach
Jan. 5, 2000 – Derek Aframe named Revolution director of operations [Read more…] about Jan. 5, 2014 – Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, 71, dies in Lisbon
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
Eusebio had a strong New England connection, partly because of the region’s Portuguese population. Eusebio probably could have had success in the Boston area similar to Pelé’s in New York, but circumstances worked against him.
The first soccer game at Foxboro Stadium matched Eusebio’s SL Benfica against Sporting CP on June 16, 1972. Eusebio did not score the first goal at the stadium – Sporting’s Mario Mateus Marinho converted in the sixth minute – but he equalized in the 43rd minute and broke the deadlock in the 80th minute of a 2-2 draw. The match drew a 24,396 crowd and organizers were encouraged enough to schedule a rematch a week later, this time attracting more than 25,000. For perspective, the Boston Red Sox were playing a 12-game homestand from June 9-21, crowds ranging from 8,860 to 21,682.
I never quite understood why a promoter did not follow up with another Benfica-Sporting match in the area. I talked about it with former Patriots’ announcer Gil Santos, who did the PA duties for the Benfica-Sporting games in ’72, but he did not have an answer, either. [Read more…] about Jan. 25, 1942 – Eusebio da Silva Ferreira born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique
This Week in NE Soccer History
Jan. 5, 2014 – Eusebio da Silva Ferreira dies in Lisbon
Eusebio da Silva Ferreira concluded his Benfica career and moved to the NASL to play for the Boston Minutemen in 1975, the year Pelé joined the New York Cosmos. The Eusebio-Pelé rivalry played out early in the season when the teams met at Nickerson Field June 20, 1975, the Minutemen winning, 2-1. Pelé left the game after his goal was ruled offside, the oversold crowd (estimated at 20,000-plus) storming the field, the result later annulled by NASL commissioner Phil Woosnam. Minutemen owner John Sterge was experiencing financial difficulties and facing Securities and Exchange Commission charges, so he sent Eusebio and Wolfgang Suhnholz to Toronto, where they won the 1976 Soccer Bowl title. [Read more…] about Jan. 5, 2014 – Benfica great Eusebio dies in Lisbon