Frank Dell'Apa

Soccer

Knoxville’s New England connections pay off

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Former New England Revolution striker Ian Fuller guided One Knoxville FC to a 2-0 victory over the Spokane Velocity in the USL League 1 final before a sellout 7,500 crowd at Covenant Health Park on Sunday, Nov. 16. Fuller, 46, in his first year as head coach, played at Clemson University before joining the Revolution in 2002, pairing with Taylor Twellman up front as the team advanced to the MLS Cup final. Fuller followed Adrian Heath from the Austin Aztex to MLS as an assistant with Orlando City and Minnesota United before being hired by Knoxville.

Knoxville starters included winger Mark Doyle, who competed for Rhode Island FC last year; Callum Johnson, a former New York Red Bulls Academy midfielder who played three seasons at Boston College before transferring to Clemson; Stavros Zarokostas, a midfielder from La Salle Academy in Providence via the University of Rhode Island. Zarokostas set up Nico Rosamilia for the opening goal in the fourth minute, and Kempes Tekiela added a 54th-minute penalty kick.

#OTD Liverpool, Chelsea win on tour in New England

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May 26, 1948 – New England All-Stars 0:6 Liverpool FC, North Tiverton, R.I. (Att.: 8,000)

Liverpool FC compiled an 11-0-0 record (63-14 goal differential) on an eight-city tour of the U.S. and Canada from May 16-June 20, 1948.

Goals: Al Stubbins 2, Bill Fagan 2, Jack Balmer, Priday. Note: Joe Feicha (Ludlow Lusitano) goal disallowed (offside).

May 26, 1954 – Eastern Seaboard All-Stars 0:6 Chelsea FC, Fall River, Mass.

 

Boston’s history with Santos & the Seleção

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Brazilian teams have been visiting the Boston area since Pelé led Santos FC on a visit to Fenway Park nearly 50 years ago. The match marked a milestone in modern soccer promotion for the area, attracting 18,431 on July 9, 1968, indicating soccer could be a viable professional sport in Boston, after decades of the sport having been shunted aside.

Santos’ 7-1 victory over the Boston Beacons also attracted mainstream media attention, which was not easy to do. Prominent bylines included Peter Gammons, Leigh Montville, Marvin Pave, Bob Sales. The stories were complimentary about Santos’ performance, Pelé earning plenty of praise. And nearly every story made the same factual error, stating Santos had twice won the World Cup. Remarkably, at that time, even the best and brightest of mainstream journalism had difficulty distinguishing between club and country competitions.

[Read more…] about Boston’s history with Santos & the Seleção

Jan. 25, 1925 – Fall River 3:2 [aet] Providence FC, Lewis Cup first round (Att.: 7,331)

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Fall River’s McGowan converted the decider, heading in a McPherson free kick following a McLeod foul in an ASL Cup (Lewis Cup) match. Former Newcastle United and Leeds United forward Jeremiah “Jerry” Best, in his first ASL season, scored for Providence. Goals: Morley, McPherson (PK), McGowan; Best, Abdallah. [Read more…] about Jan. 25, 1925 – Fall River 3:2 [aet] Providence FC, Lewis Cup first round (Att.: 7,331)

Jan. 24, 1932 – New York Giants 4:2 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup, Polo Grounds (Att.: 1,500)

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Fall River (Mass.) native Bert Patenaude, who had become the first player to complete a hat trick in the 1930 World Cup at age 20, opened the scoring for the Giants in a National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) second-round match. Goals: Patenaude, Carlson 2, O’Brien; Dick 2.

[Read more…] about Jan. 24, 1932 – New York Giants 4:2 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup, Polo Grounds (Att.: 1,500)

Jan. 23, 1978 – New England Tea Men acquire U.S. national team captain David D’Errico

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Tea Men acquired Dave D’Errico from the Minnesota Kicks in exchange for a No. 1 draft pick. The Tea Men also acquired defenders Ringo Cantillo and Dennis Wit from Tampa Bay, announced the signing of Harvard assistant coach Kevin Welsh (Bridgeport U., Connecticut Bicentennials) and selected goalkeeper Kirk Pearson and Mike Reitz in NASL draft. Brandeis forward Cleveland Lewis drafted by New York Cosmos. “We will have to use seven US citizens on our team and we were looking for people with league experience,” Tea Men assistant coach Dennis Viollet told the Globe’s Barry Cadigan. Viollet’s 32 goals for Manchester United during the 1959-60 season remains a Red Devils’ record. [Read more…] about Jan. 23, 1978 – New England Tea Men acquire U.S. national team captain David D’Errico

Jan. 22, 1968 – Boston Beacons’ announce team to open NASL season at Fenway Park

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The Boston Beacons started their only NASL season on the road. The Beacons’ home-opener produced a 3-0 win over the Detroit Cougars at Fenway Park on April 23, 1968. Note: Cardinal Cushing “threw out the first ball” and Gov. Volpe was in attendance (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about Jan. 22, 1968 – Boston Beacons’ announce team to open NASL season at Fenway Park

Jan. 21, 1916 – CAC Fort Andrews Issues Challenge

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“… the soldiers at Fort Andrews have adopted [soccer] as their Winter pastime. There are two elevens playing at the fort. Sgt. Thomas Gavigan is the man who has aroused the men who wear Uncle Sam’s uniform … to interest in the game.” Fort Andrews, on Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor, also had teams in baseball, basketball and football, and participated in tug of war competitions. [Read more…] about Jan. 21, 1916 – CAC Fort Andrews Issues Challenge

Jan. 20, 1923 – Bethlehem Steel 3:2 Fall River, ASL game

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“Bethlehem Steel [8W-2L-3D, 19 points] assumed the lead in the American Soccer League …” on a hat trick by Dan McNiven, overtaking Fall River (8W-3L-2D, 18 points), which was tied for second with J&P Coats (8-3-2, 18 points). McNiven and Harold Brittan, who converted twice for Fall River, were tied with J&P Coats’ Tommy Fleming for the scoring lead with 10 goals. Goals: McNiven 3; Brittan 2. [Read more…] about Jan. 20, 1923 – Bethlehem Steel 3:2 Fall River, ASL game

Jan. 19, 1978 – New England Tea Men announced as NASL team, to play at Schaefer Stadium

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The New England Tea Men played at Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., from 1978-80. Former Ireland international and Manchester United defender Noel Cantwell named coach.

Jan. 19, 1921 – Fore River v Fall River Rovers semifinal draw for National Cup (U.S. Open Cup) [Read more…] about Jan. 19, 1978 – New England Tea Men announced as NASL team, to play at Schaefer Stadium