In the Boston Globe story entitled “More Stands for Boston ‘Pro’ Soccer,” team president G.A.G. Wood said: “We intend to make the Walpole St. Grounds a real soccer stadium, where all the big games in this State can be staged. Arrangements have been completed with the N.Y., N.H & H. officials to the end that the Boston team will not spend money needlessly. Boston has a real soccer outfit and after the fine crowd that paid admission Saturday, we think they are entitled to a fairly decent ground.” [Read more…] about Dec. 14, 1924 – Fall River 2:1 Boston Wonder Workers (Att.: 8,337)
Dec. 13, 1930 – Quincy 5:0 (12:4 aggregate) Pawtucket, NE Schoolboy final (Att.: 2,000)
The New England high school championship game in Quincy, Mass., featured one of the year’s biggest crowds, “… gathered round the ropes when the game started saw a really wonderful exhibition from these boys.” Brown scored three goals, McGuire and Jepson one. The game appears to have been conducted under FIFA rules, two 45-minute halves, referee and two linesman, no substitutes utilized. [Read more…] about Dec. 13, 1930 – Quincy 5:0 (12:4 aggregate) Pawtucket, NE Schoolboy final (Att.: 2,000)
Dec. 12, 1891 –East Ends 2:2 Rovers, New England League series at Fall River, Mass. (Att.: 8,000)
The Fall River Rovers had defeated the East Ends the previous week but “… East End management and backers, however, were not satisfied with the result, and as a consequence today’s game was arranged.” [Read more…] about Dec. 12, 1891 –East Ends 2:2 Rovers, New England League series at Fall River, Mass. (Att.: 8,000)
Dec. 11, 2013 – Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis announces retirement
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
Dec. 10, 1979 – New England Tea Men select Peter Simonini in 1st round of NASL draft
Peter Simonini became a starter in his first season with the Tea Men, who moved to Jacksonville from 1981-83. Simonini helped the Tea Men win the ASL title and was named league MVP in 1983. [Read more…] about Dec. 10, 1979 – New England Tea Men select Peter Simonini in 1st round of NASL draft
Dec. 9, 1934 – Thornton Victorias 2:0 Portuguese SC, ASL match
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
Dec. 8, 1923 – First soccer game at Commonwealth Armory. “Indoor soccer opened with a bang” St. George’s 2:1 Boston Blues
The top soccer teams in the Boston area competed regularly during the winter months in the Commonwealth Armory, now the site of BU’s Agganis Arena.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY
Dec. 7, 1941 – Boston Celtics 1:2 St. Michael’s, ASL game at Celtic Park, South Boston
The game was staged on the afternoon of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Frannie Quinn (Celtics) and Harry Burness (St. Michael’s) red-carded. Harry Burness would enlist in the Army and perish in France. [Read more…] about Dec. 7, 1941 – Boston Celtics 1:2 St. Michael’s, ASL game at Celtic Park, South Boston
Dec. 6, 1873 – Yale 2:1 Eton College Alumni, Hamilton Park, New Haven, Conn.
Yale and Eton competed in possibly the first 11-a-side game conducted using Football Association rules in the U.S. FA rules were established in London in 1863, then adopted by the Scottish FA in 1873. [Read more…] about Dec. 6, 1873 – Yale 2:1 Eton College Alumni, Hamilton Park, New Haven, Conn.
Dec. 5, 1931 – Boston SC 2:1 New Bedford Whalers at Lincoln Park
Boston SC’s Jimmy Cairney scored the winning goal with a “back heeler” that deflected off Caldwell past New Bedford Whalrs goalkeeper Johnny Reder (who would go on to play first base for the Red Sox in 1932). New Bedford was in first place in the ASL before the match. [Read more…] about Dec. 5, 1931 – Boston SC 2:1 New Bedford Whalers at Lincoln Park