Frank Dell'Apa

Thomas Swords

Aug. 20, 1916 – Thomas Swords first captain of U.S. national team / Sweden 2:3 U.S., Rasunda Stadium (Att.: 16,000)

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Thomas Swords was nearing the peak of his career as he led the U.S. to victory over Sweden in the country’s first international since affiliating with FIFA. Swords played for Whittenton AC (Taunton, Mass.), Fall River Rovers, Philadelphia Hibernians and New Bedford Whalers. Swords scored as the Rovers defeated Bethlehem Steel, 1-0, in the 1917 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final in Pawtucket, R.I. [Read more…] about Aug. 20, 1916 – Thomas Swords first captain of U.S. national team / Sweden 2:3 U.S., Rasunda Stadium (Att.: 16,000)

Aug. 15, 1916 – Stockholm Tigrarna 1:1 U.S., Olympic Stadium (Att.: 20,000)

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Thomas Swords of Fall River, Mass., was captain of the U.S. national team for its first overseas tour. This was the opener of a six-game series in Sweden and Norway. “Most conspicuous of all the features of the trip was the wonderful playing of the American team.” (Spalding’s Official Foot Ball Guide) Goals: R. Gunnarsson; Heminsley. Note: King Gustaf V in attendance. [Read more…] about Aug. 15, 1916 – Stockholm Tigrarna 1:1 U.S., Olympic Stadium (Att.: 20,000)

20, 1916 – Thomas Swords first captain of U.S. national team. Sweden 2:3 U.S., Rasunda Stadium (Att.: 15,000).

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The U.S. joined FIFA in 1913 and played its first international as the “All-American” soccer team. Thomas “Tommy” Swords also has been listed as the first goal-scorer for the U.S. national team, though U.S. Soccer  credits C.H. Spalding as first. A story in Aug. 21, 1916 editions of the Boston Globe names Spalding and C.H. Ellis as scorers, but does not credit the other goal to an individual: “The third goal for the Americans was won by free kicking.” [Read more…] about 20, 1916 – Thomas Swords first captain of U.S. national team. Sweden 2:3 U.S., Rasunda Stadium (Att.: 15,000).

March 31, 1917 — Fall River Rovers 2:0 Pan-Americans

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Goals from Underwood and Swords give Fall River Rovers a 2-0 win over the Pan-Americans before a 2,000 crowd. Less than two months later, the Rovers would go on to become the first New England team to win the U.S. Open Cup. Thomas Swords, a Fall River native who had captained the U.S. national team in its first game on a tour to Sweden in 1916, scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel for the U.S. Open Cup title in Pawtucket, R.I., on May 5, 1917.

Also on March 31, 1917: United Shoe MAA 10:0 Haverhill at McKay Street Grounds in Beverly (Alex Black 7 goals, Hollings 3); New Bedford 2:1 Compton (New Bedford maintained Southern New England League lead as Shaw scored twice).

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY

March 31, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 2:0 Pan-Americans, Times Cup (Att.: 2,000)

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Goals from Underwood and Swords give Fall River Rovers a 2-0 win over the Pan-Americans before a 2,000 crowd. Less than two months later, the Rovers would go on to become the first New England team to win the U.S. Open Cup. Thomas Swords, a Fall River native who had captained the U.S. national team in its first game on a tour to Sweden in 1916, scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel for the U.S. Open Cup title in Pawtucket, R.I., on May 5, 1917.

Also on March 31, 1917: United Shoe MAA 10:0 Haverhill at McKay Street Grounds in Beverly (Alex Black 7 goals, Hollings 3); New Bedford 2:1 Compton (New Bedford maintained Southern New England League lead as Shaw scored twice).

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY