This match set standards for the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) as a record crowd arrived for Bethlehem Steel’s second consecutive victory in the final in Pawtucket, R.I. Tommy Fleming’s 78th-minute penalty kick decided the match. [Read more…] about May 6, 1916 – Bethlehem Steel 1:0 Fall River Rovers, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 15,000)
Tension built after the Boston SC Wonder Workers and Fall River FC Marksmen played to a draw in the first leg. “Hundreds of Boston fans are going down to Tiverton today to see the second game. Busses will leave Forest Hill at 11:30. Kick-off time is set for 2:30 and Sam Mark is expecting the largest crowd of the season … ‘’ [Read more…] about Dec. 30, 1928 – Fall River FC 2:0 (4:2) Boston SC, ASL Challenge Cup return leg
May 6, 1916 – Bethlehem Steel 1:0 Fall River Rovers at Coats Field (Att.: 15,000)
The rivalry between Bethlehem Steel Company FC and Fall River Rovers FC kicked off in the 1916 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. The teams represented two of the country’s major industrial centers, the Bethlehem team composed of European imports, known for their precision passing game, and the Rovers a mostly native-born team relying more on effort than skill. [Read more…] about May 6, 1916 – A U.S. OPEN CUP RIVALRY IS BORN
The U.S. Open Cup (the National Cup then), and American Soccer League games, were conducted through the winter months in the early part of the century. And supporters showed up (and stayed), despite the weather.
On this day, the Boston Wonderworkers held the Fall River Marksmen to a 1-1 draw at Mark’s Stadium.
The subhead in The Boston Globe read:
‘Crowd of 7000 at Game, a League Thriller’
The opening graph noted: “The ground was clear of snow and ice and the teams got away with a bang.” [Read more…] about Feb. 14, 1926 – ‘Great Soccer in the Rain at Tiverton, R.I.’
Today in New England Soccer History
Jan. 7, 1922 – Philadelphia Field Club 3×1 J&P Coats. ASL match at Phillies Ball Park.
Tommy “Whitey” Fleming equalized with a first-half penalty kick and Dugald “Dougie” Campbell scored twice in the second half for the “Phillies,” the Bethlehem Steel team that was playing home games in Philadelphia’s baseball stadium in the 1921-22 ASL season. The Bethlehem Globe editions of 1/9/22: “Tripping gave Whitey Fleming a free chance in front of the net and he made good by driving the ball squarely between the uprights, over the head of Knowles.” Campbell, born in Paisley, Scotland, won three ASL titles (1923-24, 1924-25 and 1925-26) and two U.S. Open Cups (1924 and ’27) with the Fall River Marksmen. [Read more…] about Jan. 7, 1922 – Philadelphia FC 3×1 J&P Coats at Phillies Ball Park.
Today in NE Soccer History
Jan. 6, 1923 – Bethlehem Steel 1×1 J&P Coats – duel between ASL’s top two scorers
Tommy “Whitey” Fleming (22 goals) scores for Coats, a Daniel McNiven (28 goals) penalty kick equalizing late in the opening half. According to the 1/7/23 editions of The Boston Globe: Fleming capitalized on a failed clearance and “drove the ball into the net with (Findlay) Kerr having no chance to save.” Fleming “one of the outstanding wingers of his day,” according to Colin Jose’s The American Soccer League: The Golden Years of American Soccer, was 17 years old when he arrived from Ayshire to play for the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy (clubhouse and playing field still standing, btw). [Read more…] about Jan. 6, 1923 – Quincy’s Tommy “Whitey” Fleming scores for J&P Coats