Greece and the U.S. were preparing for the 1994 World Cup, and Bora Milutinovic clearly succeeded in getting the team ready. [Read more…] about May 28, 1994 – U.S. 1:1 Greece, Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 21,317)
U.S. Men's National Team
May 27, 1934 – Italy 7:1 U.S., World Cup at Stadio Nazionale PNF (Att.: 25,000)
Buff Donelli scored every goal for the U.S. in a 4-2 victory over Mexico in a playoff match in Rome May 24, 1934. Three days later, Italy took a 3-0 halftime lead before Donelli’s 57th-minute conversion.
If the U.S.-Mexico game had been considered part of the World Cup finals, Donelli would have tied with Czechoslovakia’s Oldrich Nejedly for the Golden Boot with five goals. [Read more…] about May 27, 1934 – Italy 7:1 U.S., World Cup at Stadio Nazionale PNF (Att.: 25,000)
May 25, 2010 – U.S. 2:4 Czech Republic at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn. (Att.: 36,218)
A Rentschler Field record crowd arrived as the U.S. faltered in a send-off match on the way to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Goals: Edu, Gomez; Sivok, Polak, Fenin, Necid. [Read more…] about May 25, 2010 – U.S. 2:4 Czech Republic at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn. (Att.: 36,218)
May 24, 1934 – Aldo (Buff) Donelli scores four, U.S. 4:2 Mexico WCQ at Stadio PNF, Rome
Buff Donelli also scored for the U.S. in its 1934 World Cup match, a 7-1 loss to Italy on May 27, 1934. Donelli starred for Pittsburgh area soccer teams from the 1920s through ’40s, and also coached and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, later coaching Boston University’s football team.
May 21, 1950 – Pittsburgh Harmarville 1:4 (1:4 aggregate) Ponta Delgada at Bridgeville Park, U.S. Amateur Cup final
Two weeks after losing in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final, Ponta Delgada won the U.S. Amateur Cup for the fourth time in five years. Ponta Delgada was considered underdogs in the away leg, after having played to a 0-0 home draw with Harmarville on May 14, 1950. [Read more…] about May 21, 1950 – Pittsburgh Harmarville 1:4 (1:4 aggregate) Ponta Delgada at Bridgeville Park, U.S. Amateur Cup final
May 20, 1990 – U.S. 1:0 Partizan Belgrade at Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 30,644)
This was a preparation match for the U.S. national team before the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Peter Vermes scored 15 seconds into the second half and Tony Meola saved an Aleksandar Dordevic free kick as Partizan played without three Yugoslavia national teamers, including starting defender Predrag Spasic. [Read more…] about May 20, 1990 – U.S. 1:0 Partizan Belgrade at Yale Bowl, New Haven, Conn. (Att.: 30,644)
May 19, 2002 – U.S. 0:2 Netherlands, CMGI Field (Gillette Stadium) initial international (Att.: 36,778)
Gregg Berhalter and Brad Friedel in U.S. starting lineup — yes, they would be coaching against each other in the same venue 16 years later — New England Revolution v Columbus Crew.
Dutch coach Dick Advocaat probably had it right when he said: “It is always good to win. Maybe it is good for the Americans that they lost, too.” [Read more…] about May 19, 2002 – U.S. 0:2 Netherlands, CMGI Field (Gillette Stadium) initial international (Att.: 36,778)
May 14, 1944 – Brooklyn Hispano 4:0 Morgan Strasser, U.S. Open Cup final at Polo Grounds (Att.: 12,000)
Former U.S. national team teammates Billy Gonsalves (Brooklyn Hispano) and Aldo “Buff” Donelli (Morgan) were matched in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. Gonsalves, 35, won for the eighth time in his final U.S. Open Cup final. Donelli, 36, “played a great game for the Strassers, but he was not well supported,” his teammates including his brother, Fred Donelli. (The Boston Globe). Buff Donelli also coached the Cleveland Rams of the NFL in 1944 and went on to coach Columbia and Boston University in football. [Read more…] about May 14, 1944 – Brooklyn Hispano 4:0 Morgan Strasser, U.S. Open Cup final at Polo Grounds (Att.: 12,000)
May 7, 1939 – St. Mary’s Celtic 4:1 [5:1] Manhattan Beer, National Challenge Cup final at Starlight Park (Att.: 8,000)
Celtic’s Ed Czerkiewicz (West Warwick, R.I.) plays in fourth of six U.S. Open Cup finals, Billy Gonsalves’ ninth consecutive final, at Starlight Park in the Bronx. Czerkiewicz, who also won a title with the Pawtucket Rangers, started at right fullback for the U.S. in the 1934 World Cup. [Read more…] about May 7, 1939 – St. Mary’s Celtic 4:1 [5:1] Manhattan Beer, National Challenge Cup final at Starlight Park (Att.: 8,000)
May 5, 1917 – Fall River Rovers 1:0 Bethlehem Steel, National Challenge Cup final at Coats Field (Att.: 7,500)
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)