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)
George M. Collins “declares” the USFA would “have to accept all professional [leagues] on equal footing,” during the 12th annual meeting of the group at the Astor Hotel in New York. (Associated Press) [Read more…] about May 18, 1925 – American Soccer League accepted as full member of United States FA
Manchester United’s first New England appearance. The New England All-Stars consisted mostly of the Ponta Delgada SC team, including World Cup-bound Ed Souza and John Souza. Tom Bogan opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Ed Souza missed a 79th-minute penalty with a chance to equalize. [Read more…] about May 17, 1950 – NE All-Stars 0:2 Manchester United at Fall River (Att.: 3,704)
Adamson opened the scoring in the third minute of the first National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final at Lonsdale Ave. Grounds (Coats Field) in Pawtucket, R.I. Campion PK equalized, then Ford scored off Millar pass, after Millar “made two beautiful back kicks, both being turned aside.” (Spalding’s Soccer Football Guide) [Read more…] about May 16, 1914 – First U.S. Open Cup Final / Brooklyn FC 2:1 Brooklyn Celtic at Lonsdale-av Grounds (Att.: 10,000)
Steve Nicol was a true believer in a 4-4-2 alignment, having experienced exceptional success with the formation while playing for Liverpool FC. Nicol was faithful to the setup into his third Revolution season, but this match convinced him to go to a 3-5-2. The switch did not pay off immediately, but proved to be crucial to the Revolution’s progress. [Read more…] about May 15, 2004 – Columbus Crew 1:0 Revolution (Att.: 16,694)
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)
After missing two New England Revolution games while on baby watch, Kei Kamara returned after the birth of a son to score his 89th career MLS goal, tied with Carlos Ruiz for 10th on all-time league list. [Read more…] about May 13, 2017 – Revolution 4:0 Real Salt Lake (Att.: 21,096)
Billy Gonsalves, Alex McNab and Bert Patenaude led the way for St. Louis Central Breweries in the National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) final. [Read more…] about May 12, 1935 – St. Louis Central Breweries 1:3 [7:6] Pawtucket Rangers, U.S. Open Cup final at Newark School Stadium (Att.: 3,000)
Taylor Twellman scored in the sixth and 39th minutes in the “soft” opening of Gillette Stadium, which had ceded naming rights to internet venture CMGI (College Marketing Group Information). Twellman went on to total a record 63 goals (61 for the Revolution, plus 2 for the U.S. national team) at the stadium. Twellman was in the midst of a six-game scoring streak in his first six starts, and would total 101 goals in 174 career games (.583 strike rate), the first player in MLS history with more than 100 goals scored in less than 200 matches. [Read more…] about May 11, 2002 – Revolution 2:0 Dallas, CMGI Field (Gillette Stadium) opening (Att.: 22,006)
The Atlanta Chiefs went on to win the North American Soccer League title and the Boston Beacons finished in last place in the Atlantic Division. Graham Newton’s 57th-minute goal made the difference for the Chiefs (5W-2L-1D). Atlanta’s roster included Kaizer Motaung, who would return to South Africa to found what would become the country’s preeminent soccer team, Kaizer Chiefs. The Beacons (1W-4L-2D) lost their second successive home match. [Read more…] about May 10, 1968 – Boston Beacons 0:1 Atlanta Chiefs at Fenway Park (Att.: 5,318)