Frank Dell'Apa

U.S. Men's National Team

R.I.P. John DeBrito, ex-USMNT, NE Revolution

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Joao “John” DeBrito, a former US national team midfielder and member of the New England Revolution in its first MLS season, died in Miami Wednesday. He was 51.

DeBrito started in midfield in the Revolution’s initial game, a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Mutiny at Raymond James Stadium April 13, 1996. He played 21 games for the Revolution, then moved to the NY/NJ MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards, Dallas Burn, and Columbus Crew, concluding his career with the Connecticut Wolves in 2001.

DeBrito was born in Cape Verde and grew up in Waterbury, Conn. He won the 1987 and ’90 NCAA D2 championships with Southern Connecticut State. Before the start of MLS, DeBrito performed for Gremio Lusitano in Ludlow and the Boston Storm and made six appearances for the US. His older brother, Pedro, led UConn to the 1981 NCAA D1 title and became the No. 1 pick in the NASL draft, going on to perform for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Team America and New York Cosmos, plus once for the US national team. Pedro died in an auto accident in 2014.

“John won two national championships and he was maybe the outstanding player in both of them,” said UConn coach Ray Reid, who was an SCSC assistant in 1987 and head coach in ’90. “In 1987, as a freshman, he scored both our goals and was named the most outstanding attacking player. He was a fantastic guy. He and Pedro did more for soccer in the state of Connecticut than any family I know. Both of them were good players, and they were so patient with guys who weren’t good enough. People loved them.”

DeBrito had been working as a paramedic in Miami. He was selected to the Southern Connecticut Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1987 team and as an individual, and to Connecticut and New England Soccer Halls of Fame.

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. 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. 11, 1931 – Fall River 1:1 New Bedford Whalers, National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) (Att.: 1,800)

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A few months after playing for the U.S. in the 1930 World Cup, Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude teamed up with Fall River against national team captain Tommy Florie of the New Bedford Whalers.

“Patenaude, usually an accurate kicker, threw away an easy opportunity in front of the goal with less than two minutes to play. He evaded the defense, drew the goalie from the cage and then booted wild.” (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about Jan. 11, 1931 – Fall River 1:1 New Bedford Whalers, National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) (Att.: 1,800)

Dec. 30, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 2:0 (4:2) Boston SC, ASL Challenge Cup first round return leg

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Alex McNab opened the scoring and 19-year-old Bert Patenaude added the second goal for the Fall River Marksmen. Patenaude replaced Milton Gavin, a former Lusitania Recreation center forward; Patenaude joined Lusitania later in his career, after teaming with 20-year-old Billy Gonsalves (also a former Lusitania Recreation star) to lead the U.S. in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. [Read more…] about Dec. 30, 1928 – Fall River Marksmen 2:0 (4:2) Boston SC, ASL Challenge Cup first round return leg

Dec. 18, 1921 – Harrison SC 5:1 Fall River United, Harrison (N.J.) Field (Att.: 2,500)

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In the first year of the ASL, Fall River United was led by left half Frank Booth, who played for the Fall River Rovers in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) finals in 1916, ’17 and ’18. Harrison’s John “Rabbit” Heminsley started for the U.S. in the country’s first international, against Sweden, in 1916. Harrison’s Davie Brown, 23, would play for the U.S. in 1926 and go on to become the league’s No. 3 all-time leading scorer with 189 goals. Goals: Post, Heminsley 2, Brown, Ford; Corrigan. [Read more…] about Dec. 18, 1921 – Harrison SC 5:1 Fall River United, Harrison (N.J.) Field (Att.: 2,500)

Dec. 3, 1939 – Lusitania Recreation 4:1 Pawtucket, National Open Cup (U.S. Open Cup) second round game, Lusitania Stadium, Cambridge, Mass. (Att.: 2,500)

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This was a matchup of Lusitania center forward Bert Patenaude and Pawtucket’s Tommy Florie, teammates on the U.S. team that reached the 1930 World Cup semifinals. Patenaude, a 20-year-old when he became the first to complete a hat trick in the World Cup, twice headed off the crossbar. Lusitania was eliminated by Brookhattan in the quarterfinals. Goals: Slicer (PK), Rebello, Silvia, Brinkworth; Florie. [Read more…] about Dec. 3, 1939 – Lusitania Recreation 4:1 Pawtucket, National Open Cup (U.S. Open Cup) second round game, Lusitania Stadium, Cambridge, Mass. (Att.: 2,500)

Nov. 17, 2004 – U.S. 1:1 Jamaica, Crew Stadium (Att.: 9,088)

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The U.S. improved its unbeaten streak to 29 games against CONCACAF competition and knocked Jamaica out of 2006 World Cup contention. The Revolution’s Clint Dempsey made his U.S. national team debut, and teammates Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman made their first qualifying appearances.. Goals: E. Johnson; A. Williams (PK). [Read more…] about Nov. 17, 2004 – U.S. 1:1 Jamaica, Crew Stadium (Att.: 9,088)

Oct. 10, 2014 – U.S. 1:1 Ecuador, Landon Donovan retirement game, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn. (Att.: 36,265)

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The U.S. trained at Harvard University’s Ohiri Field, but Donovan, cut from the 2014 World Cup roster by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, did not arrive until game day. Donovan played 41 minutes, setting up Mix Diskerud’s goal (5’) and hitting the post. Enner Valencia (88’) equalized and current Revolution winger Cristian Penilla made his Ecuador debut. Donovan totaled 57 goals in 157 appearances for the U.S. [Read more…] about Oct. 10, 2014 – U.S. 1:1 Ecuador, Landon Donovan retirement game, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn. (Att.: 36,265)

Oct. 7, 2001 – U.S. 2:1 Jamaica, final soccer game at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 40,483)

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This was the first time the U.S. had clinched a berth in the World Cup finals in a home match, and the team’s seventh World Cup appearance. Current Revolution coach Brad Friedel was in the U.S. goal and former Revolution star Joe-Max Moore converted in the third minute and on an 81st-minute penalty kick. The U.S. had a 7W-0L-3D record (4-0-1 in World Cup qualifiers) at Foxboro Stadium, demolished in February 2002. Goals: Moore 2 (1 PK); Jamie Lawrence. [Read more…] about Oct. 7, 2001 – U.S. 2:1 Jamaica, final soccer game at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 40,483)