April 1, 1934 – Stix, Baer & Fuller 4:2 aet Pawtucket Rangers

The Pawtucket Rangers fell behind to an eighth-minute Alex McNab goal, then equalized on McAuley’s first-half penalty kick in a first leg U.S. Open Cup match before a 7,122 crowd. Billy Gonsalves, who had starred for the Boston Wonder Workers and Fall River Marksmen, gave Stix, Baer & Fuller the extra time lead, McIntyre equalized, then the final two goals were scored in the final five minutes. Werner “Scotty” Nilsen converted the go-ahead goal off a McNab cross and Flavin the final goal with goalkeeper Conroy screened.

Six players in this match would go on to start for the U.S. in the 1934 World Cup in Italy: Gonsalves, Nilsen and Pawtucket’s Ed Czerkiewicz, Walter Dick, Tommy Florie (the U.S. captain) and 17-year-old Joe Martinelli. Gonsalves, born in Portsmouth, R.I., was clearly an impact player at the international level, and would be starting in his second World Cup at age 25. After the 1930 World Cup, Gonsalves was offered contracts by Brazilian clubs such as Botafogo and after the ’34 World Cup he declined offers from SS Lazio and AS Roma; he had also been recruited by Celtic and Rangers. But after the demise of top-level domestic professional leagues, the U.S. national team declined. Gonsalves starred for several teams in Chicago, New York and St. Louis, winning eight U.S. Open Cup titles and establishing the all-time record of 14 goals scored in Open Cup finals.

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