Long before the National Basketball Association version of the name, the Boston Celtics were a successful soccer club – “the Irish club from Sullivan Sq.” in Charlestown, according to The Boston Globe. Former U.S. national teamer Jackie Lyons, who played in the 1928 Olympics, led the way for the Celtics against the defending champion Clan MacGregor of Quincy.
Leo Messi converted in the 60th minute, after Gonzalo Higuain (8’, 28’) opened the scoring for Argentina in a 4-1 victory over Venezuela. Jose Salomon Rondon cut the deficit in the 70th minute and substitute Erik Lamela added Argentina’s final goal in the 71st minute. Sergio Romero saved an attempted chipped penalty kick by Venezuela’s Luis Seijas in the 43rd minute. [Read more…] about June 18, 2016 – Lionel Messi scores for Argentina in first Gillette Stadium appearance
Bruce Murray opened the scoring, finishing a John Harkes cross in the third minute. After Raul Chacon’s 22nd-minute equalizer, Eric Eichmann converted the 67th-minute decider off a Tab Ramos corner. [Read more…] about June 17, 1989 – U.S. 2:1 Guatemala. World Cup Qualifier at Veterans Stadium, New Britain, Conn. (Att.: 10,500)
Here’s info on the status of New England Revolution soccer-specific stadium proposal. Talked with Jonathan Kraft, Brian Bilello, Pat Sullivan, others. The story is published in the New England Soccer Journal: http://www.nesoccerjournal.com/nesoccerj_201706/index.html#ne_revolution_keep_dreaming
KEEP DREAMING
The odds of the Revolution – or anyone – building a Boston stadium, soccer-specific or not, are close to zero. That was to be my theme for this column, after having researched local stadium projects from the 1940s through the recent failed proposal for the Bayside Expo site.
But, following an informal interview with Jonathan Kraft, I am modifying my stance. Jonathan seems to be 100 percent certain it will happen, and soon. So, meeting him halfway, I’ll say maybe there is a 50 percent chance of a Boston stadium being realized.
It is difficult to remain optimistic after encountering so many deceptions, obstacles and roadblocks. But if the Krafts are positive about this, you can’t count them out.
[Read more…] about New England Revolution Soccer Specific Stadium: Any bets?
Salif Keita’s 35-yard free kick past Hubert Birkenmeier made the difference with 1:04 left in OT (104th minute) as the Tea Men snapped a five-game losing streak. The Cosmos opened the scoring, Johan Neeskens heading in a 22nd-minute Franz Beckenbauer free kick. Kevin Keelan saved a Neeskens header off a Vladislav Bogicevic cross and a late first-half Beckenbauer shot. Chris Turner equalized off an Artur cross in the 47th minute. Giorgio Chinaglia was red-carded in 71st minute.
Scotland took a 3-1 win over the New England All-Stars on the way to compiling an 8W-1L-0T record on North American tour. The Scots lost, 2-0, to Belfast Celtic at Triborough Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York May 29, 1949. Rangers’ Willie Thornton scored twice, Derby County’s Willie Steel once. Thornton converted off a 19th-minute McKenzie corner, then Frank “Shorty” Moniz equalized off a John Souza feed. Steel broke the deadlock, Scotland taking a two-goal halftime lead. [Read more…] about June 15, 1949 – Scots make a stop in Fall River
The first U.S. Open Cup game in Foxborough turned into a disappointment for the New England Revolution.
The Revolution became the first MLS team to lose to an amateur team as Chad Schomaker capitalized on a Carlos Parra turnover to score a 90th-minute goal for the Bucks. The Revolution lost to the Long Island Roughriders, 4-3, in extra time, in their debut U.S. Open Cup debut in 1997, then skipped the competition for two years. [Read more…] about June 14, 2000 – Revolution 0:1 Mid-Michigan Bucks, U.S. Open Cup at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 1,857)
The New England Revolution have established a strong home field advantage at Gillette Stadium, capitalizing on artificial turf and narrow dimensions of the field to throw opponents off their game. The team’s successful streak coincided with the Aug. 23, 2014 acquisition of Jermaine Jones, and extended to 19 games (12-0-7) with two playoff victories on the way to a berth in the 2014 MLS Cup final – the streak began after a loss to Columbus July 26, 2014. [Read more…] about June 13, 2015 – Revolution 2:0 Chicago. Revolution MLS regular-season home unbeaten streak reaches team record 17 games
Carlos Caetano Bledhorn Verri “Dunga” has had mixed success at Gillette Stadium. Dunga was coaching Brazil in the Seleção’s Foxborough debut, a 3-1 victory over Mexico that concluded with his 91st-minute expulsion by referee Baldomero Toledo, before a 67,584 crowd, in 2007. Brazil returned for a 2-0 loss to Venezuela, its only defeat against the Vinotinto in 47 years, in 2008. Dunga, who captained Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari after the 2014 World Cup, but his reign ended after a disastrous Copa America Centenario campaign. [Read more…] about June 12, 2016 – Brazil 0:1 Peru, Copa America Centenario at Gillette Stadium (Att.: 36,187)
From my Boston Globe report: “The United States performed confidently, with a sense of purpose, and as if the players expected to win against Nigeria before a crowd of 22,578 that included small bands of flag-waving supporter groups from both countries.
Jay Jay Okocha’s eighth-minute goal opened the scoring, then John Harkes equalized with a 10th-minute long-distance blast. Taiwo Wasiu, making his international debut, broke the deadlock with a 19th-minute goal. The U.S. rallied on goals by Marcelo Balboa (45’) and Cobi Jones (87’). [Read more…] about June 11, 1995 – Birth of Sam’s Army, Foxborough, Mass.
