Frank Dell'Apa

Tommy Swords

May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)

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Fall River Rovers become first Massachusetts team to win National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) at J&P Coats Field in Pawtucket, R.I. U.S. national team captain Tommy Swords credited with goal at 30 seconds, though The Boston Globe story noted: “… this time it came 60 seconds after the ball was kicked off, on a drive 35 yards out, for which Duncan dove and barely missed.” [Read more…] about May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)

April 24, 1920 – Robins Dry Dock 2:0 Fore River, American Cup semifinals at Pawtucket, R.I. (Att.: 8,000)

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“The Robins Dry Dock soccer team of Brooklyn got sweet revenge on the Fore River team of Quincy …” Fore River had defeated Robins in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) semifinals on April 10, 1920. That would be Robins Dry Dock’s only loss of the 1915-16 season — Robins went on to defeat Bethlehem Steel in the American  Cup final on May 2, 1920. (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about April 24, 1920 – Robins Dry Dock 2:0 Fore River, American Cup semifinals at Pawtucket, R.I. (Att.: 8,000)

Feb. 18, 1918 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Pan-Americans, exhibition

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“It was the first soccer game played here in almost three months, owing to unfavorable weather conditions.” The Rovers would go on to eliminate the Pan-Americans in the third round of the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup), 3-1, on March 23, 1918. The Rovers, reigning Cup champions, went on to a finals rematch, falling to Bethlehem Steel. The Rovers were led by Tommy Swords, who captained the U.S. in its first FIFA-affiliated international in 1916.

Feb. 18, 2002 – Ponte Preta 0:1 Revolution at Lix da Cunha, Brazil [Read more…] about Feb. 18, 1918 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Pan-Americans, exhibition

Nov. 10, 1909 – Fall River Rovers 1:1 Pilgrims at Atlantic Grounds (Att.: 4,000)

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The Fall River Rovers achieved surprising results in two games played near the conclusion of the Pilgrims’ tour. The Pilgrims’ Sim opened the scoring “30 minutes” into the second half. Elliott equalized, heading in a Sunderland corner “after 80 minutes.” [Read more…] about Nov. 10, 1909 – Fall River Rovers 1:1 Pilgrims at Atlantic Grounds (Att.: 4,000)

Oct. 28, 1916 – J&P Coats 0:1 Fall River Rovers at Lonsdale Avenue Ground, Pawtucket, R.I.

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U.S. national team captain Tommy Swords scored a 71st-minute goal off a rebound of a Cullerton shot saved by Knowles. The Rovers would return to the Lonsdale Ground to capture the 1917 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) title, a 1-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel. [Read more…] about Oct. 28, 1916 – J&P Coats 0:1 Fall River Rovers at Lonsdale Avenue Ground, Pawtucket, R.I.

May 6, 1916 – A U.S. OPEN CUP RIVALRY IS BORN

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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

April 24, 1916 – Disston AA 0:1 Fall River Rovers, National Challenge Cup semifinal

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Tommy Swords’ 16th-minute goal made the difference for Fall River Rovers in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) played in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. Less than four months later, Swords would become the first captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team on a visit to Scandinavia. Swords, a Fall River, Mass., native, was referred to as “formerly halfback of the Hibernians of this city (Philadelphia).” The result qualified the Rovers to meet Bethlehem Steel for “the first real National championship contest in this country” in Pawtucket, R.I., May 6, according to The Boston Globe story. [Read more…] about April 24, 1916 – Disston AA 0:1 Fall River Rovers, National Challenge Cup semifinal