Shawsheen FC, which won the 1924 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) title, competed on “… one of the finest soccer grounds in the country,” according to the Boston Globe. The Balmoral Park field still exists in Andover, Mass. [Read more…] about Dec. 26, 1924 – Shawsheen FC granted ASL franchise
“Players and mounted policemen escorted Referee George Lambie of Newton off the field … A sudden attack of snowballs followed (Lambie’s) decision, ruling against the goal scored by Johnny Harvey in the last 50 seconds of play. The midget right winger lodged the ball in the net during a lively scrimmage in front of the Fall River netting. The referee claimed Bobby Curtis, who slipped and fell in the mire, was off-side.” [Read more…] about Dec. 25, 1926 – J&P Coats 0:0 Fall River Marksmen at Lonsdale-Av. Grounds, Pawtucket, R.I. (Att.: 4,000)
Robert Gilmore and William Neilson (two goals), Dick McAvoy and Fred Morley scored for a J&P Coats team that would win the ASL championship in the league’s second season. [Read more…] about Dec. 23, 1922 – J&P Coats 6:0 Ansonia, American Cup (U.S. Open Cup) 4th-round match
A year after losing their Walpole Street Grounds home field, the Boston SC Wonder Workers briefly ceased operations, then returned to competition in the restructured American Soccer League. [Read more…] about Dec. 15, 1930 – Boston SC re-admitted to American Soccer League
When Matt Reis joined MLS in 1998, there were few openings for starting goalkeepers. And, after four seasons playing mostly as a backup to Kevin Hartman with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Reis set up a deal that took him to the Revolution, one of the teams Reis reasoned would give him a chance to start. Reis turned out to be right, as an Adin Brown injury led to Reis becoming the Revolution’s first-choice ‘keeper for the next 10 years. [Read more…] about Dec. 11, 2013 – Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis announces retirement
Tommy Florie, who captained the U.S. national team in the 1930 World Cup, scored both goals. The Victorias were sponsored by Victoria Mills in Thornton, R.I. [Read more…] about Dec. 9, 1934 – Thornton Victorias 2:0 Portuguese SC, ASL match
The Boston Globe’s George Collins reported a crowd of 16,000: “All records for attendances at soccer games in this country were smashed here today …” for a National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) match. [Read more…] about Nov. 18, 1923 – Fall River Marksmen 4:0 J&P Coats, National Challenge Cup replay at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 14,375)
Several teams had a chance to select Clint Dempsey in the MLS draft before Revolution coach Steve Nicol made the call with the eighth pick. Dempsey had trained with Dallas, considered his hometown team, but apparently had not impressed. Nicol credited former Revolution coach Thomas Rongen, who had guided Dempsey on the U.S. U-20 team, with the recommendation. [Read more…] about Nov. 12, 2004 – Clint Dempsey named MLS Rookie of the Year
Davey Brown opened the scoring with the first of his two goals, the U.S. breaking the game open with five second-half goals. Gordon Burness, who played for the U.S. in 1926, equalized off a header from Ed McLaine off a corner kick by former Blackburn Rovers and Queen’s Park Rangers winger Roy Faulkner. Archie Stark, who scored 67 goals for Bethlehem Steel in the 1924-25 ASL season and later toured with Fall River, broke the deadlock with the first of his four goals, off a Billy Herd pass.
Burness, born in Montrose, Scotland, joined the Boston Wonder Workers in 1927 and won the 1931 National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) with the Fall River Marksmen. Burness and younger brother Harry performed together on the Wonder Workers and continued to compete in the Boston area for several years. Harry Burness was killed in action serving in the U.S. Army in France in 1944. [Read more…] about Nov. 8, 1925 – U.S. 6:1 Canada at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn (Att.: 8,000)
The Fall River Marksmen were on a road trip to Springfield and New York, leaving Mark’s Stadium available. Both the Wonder Workers (Boston SC) and Whalers had played ASL home games the previous day. [Read more…] about Nov. 7, 1926 – Boston SC 4:3 New Bedford Whalers, exhibition match at Mark’s Stadium, N. Tiverton, R.I. (Att.: 3,328)